Too ugly to be a nurse..?!?

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Before I begin... I want to say,

HELLO EVERYONE! I'm new to this site. I recently signed up after researching information on nursing and found this forum.

I'm in college studying health care sciences I'm trying to get into the LPN program. I know have the brains and I will make the grades but, I'm a little insecure about the way I look. I don't think I look like the average nurse you'll see in medical offices or hospitals.

1) I'm very short (5'0ft)

2) I weight 135 but I have tiny measurements & limbs. I'm like the size of an 12 year old.

3) My face.. isn't that hot either ������. I have a big nose, ance scarring and chin dimple. I hate!!!!

4) I could wear foundation to cover up the ance scarring but, I have super oily skin so, after hours of wearing it. My face is so greasy & shiny.

I know it sounds like I'm beating up myself, but, I'm not. I'm constantly overhearding people calling me, "ugly" or I look like a man. Idk... If I should apply for the program because of it.

I don't want anyone to not want me to touch them because of my physical appearance.

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I used to have a heck of a time with my skin until I switched to korean beauty products. I struggled with oily skin and acne for years :( You might wanna go to the docs though and get checked incase it's a hormonal issue.

As for looks, I'll say this. I know plenty of "ugly" healthcare workers who are fantastic at their job and vice versa.

It's not your looks that make the professional, it's the skills.

Apply to your program and rock it like I believe you can!

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I really hope you apply to the programs. Nurses are all different shapes and sizes and come from various backgrounds and cultures. We are a giant mixing pot and it sounds like you'll fit right in. If you're smart then we need you and believe me, the majority of people won't judge you on your looks. Make the smart decision and apply to the program!!

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I think you actually just described what I look like except I'm ten pounds heavier, and despite all of that I brush my hair and put on my makeup and wear cute fitted scrubs and go on to work anyway. It never even occurred to me that I might be so ugly that my patients wouldn't want me to touch them! Now I have something else to worry about before going to work lol

I think you're fine. Find something that makes you feel good (my above mentioned cute scrubs, fun work-appropriate shoes, headbands...) and go with it :-)

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Welcome to AN.com, RandomNurse!

I admire your forthrightness which is much more attractive than any sugary sweet coating. Being a good nurse is not contingent on being a beauty. A good nurse utilizes their knowledge and experience in order to provide quality care to those they serve in an empathetic manner.

I sense that you, RandomNurse, are an individual of substance who is endeavoring to share your inner beauty with those who require it.

Patients, and people in general, know who truly cares and who is going for the glory, not caring if they win or lose as long as they look good playing the game.

My hope is that you become a nurse.

The very best to you!

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I'm going to respond again, because the oily skin and acne comments really speak to me. An inexpensive good-skin makeup combination I love for 12 hour shifts is the CoverGirl Clean Matte BB cream with Rimmel Stay Matte translucent powder. It's the only makeup (inexpensive or Sephora-quality) that stays on my face, covers my redness (i've also got rosacea AND acne scars), and keeps me looking fresh all night.

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I'm going to respond again, because the oily skin and acne comments really speak to me. An inexpensive good-skin makeup combination I love for 12 hour shifts is the CoverGirl Clean Matte BB cream with Rimmel Stay Matte translucent powder. It's the only makeup (inexpensive or Sephora-quality) that stays on my face, covers my redness (i've also got rosacea AND acne scars), and keeps me looking fresh all night.

I love those recommendations!

For me, I use bareminerals powder in the matte formula. It's more than I'd like to pay ($30), but lasts months with me using it every day. It covers a multitude of sins (scars, redness, random raw spots). Evens my complexion out wonderfully and looks natural

Moisturization + adequate hydration really helped to cut my oily skin down a bit though (it's still not perfect); currently using a creme by Mizon with snail goop in it.... which has worked surprisingly well, and it was incredibly cheap to ship from Korea (huge tub was like $5 USD). Though to be fair, any non-comedogenic moisturizer with a little spf has been a godsend to my skin.

I'm going to check out the BB cream you suggested!

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Specializes in ICU.

Nursing school might help you with self esteem. If you have the brains for nursing school, then work with what you got, sister! Being a nurse carries with it some prestige that will help you overcome any physical insecurities. Clinique has a matte foundation/concealer combination that is awesome. It covers well, comes in a compact, so you can keep it in your purse for touch-ups, but best of all, it is great for oily skin and doesn't cause breakouts! One compact last forever, and covers so well that you won't need another foundation. Good luck to you, dear.

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With the money you make as a nurse, you can buy some goods and services to help improve your appearance. With some maturity and some accomplishments, maybe you will decide that you look better than you once thought.

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I'm going to take a different tack here and say that it's human nature to take note of a person who looks very different from most for whatever reason. But that's light years from someone finding those differences so disturbing they wouldn't want care provided by them. And I think you will find that for most patients, whether a nurse can competently do the job is far more important than any physical feature or combination of them.

I agree with the poster who suggested that nursing school may help your self esteem, which it sounds is far more the issue than your actual appearance. But I hope you find a trusted advisor or instructor you can share your concerns with, because it sounds like you can use some support as you navigate this. Please don't let your negative feelings about yourself prevent you from pursuing your goal to be a nurse. We need nurses at the bedside and you may well find that it's an area where physical attributes actually matter less than in many other fields.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Intelligence and compassion beats beauty every day all day in my book.

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If this is the field you want to work in, go for it. Facilities don't hire people for their looks. They want warm bodies who know their stuff, show up on time and when scheduled, who do their work. Patients want people they can trust and who give a crap. You may hear some of the same negative or rude things you hear about your appearance now from patients, co-workers, and anyone else you come in contact with. I know I do. So what. Know your stuff, give excellent care on a consistent basis, gain your peers and your patients' trust, and regardless of what some may say about you, they will respect you. Good luck in your journey!

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