Too Young?

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2009

I hate a patient ask me "who was that little girl just in here". My answer was "that was the Registered Nurse taking care of you".

She was an RN, BSN whom was small in stature and 20 years old.

It does happen.

Good luck.

Jolie, BSN · Jan 18, 2009

I graduated from nursing school at the age of 22, petite in build, and often mistaken for someone younger. More than a few times, I had patients or families ask me to "send the nurse into the room" I would show them my badge and lightheartedly inform them that I was the nurse. It was never a problem.

I wouldn't mind that happening now, 20 years later!

lilo2010 · Jan 18, 2009

Yes! Happens to me all the time. I am 30 yrs old with 2 kids & people say I look about 16-18! You just have to ignore all those people. Hate when people say that "you'll appreciate when you're older."!!!!!!!

Cilantrophobe · Jan 18, 2009

My Aunt (who is 15 days younger than me) graduated and became an RN 5 years ago when we were only 21! She said that many patients have said and still do say very rude things to her. If you experience it, just laugh it off. Try not to let it bother you when it does happen.

People are rude and you can't let them get to you. I am sure nurses deal with rude patients in a variety of contexts. I have a huge painful bruise on my arm from my ED visit last week, the charge nurse destroyed my arm when starting my IV. I didn't say a thing when blood went everywhere and I was in pain. But I can imagine that a grumpy person would have bit her head off. You will encounter many obstacles, don't let you age be one of them!

amjowens · Jan 18, 2009

People are always going to have opinions, it seems. There are concerns of older students about getting along with younger classmates in NS, then there are the younger students who are worried about being taken seriously, etc. We've got to just be who we are, at our personal best, with no apologies!

In my Peds clinical last semester, there was a physician who looked about 15 (no exaggerating). Even for the short time I was around, I learned he was dubbed "Doogie Houser", I had a patient make fun of him when he left the room by telling me he'd be glad to teach him how to shave when the time comes, etc. I mean, if I saw all I did, I can't imagine what he heard from other people that I don't know about. The really cool thing, this guy carried himself very confidently, and went about doing his own thing. Apparently he has a very good reputation, and is very nice, but completely professional. It was quite a lesson for me, as I watched someone who had all this talk and whispering all around him, yet he was true to himself in a way that was awesome. We all have our insecurities-I have mine...I hear a lot that I seem SOO nice, as I have a pretty soft voice, and I'm sometimes treated more like a "sweet" person than the professional I aim to present. I tried to be be stronger, and colder, but this just made me seem aloof then. I'm working on speaking in my soft voice, being true to my more quiet style, and still earning the respect I deserve. It works a lot better, and I'm being "me".

fiveofpeep · Jan 18, 2009

I'll be graduating with my BSN at 21 yo, have petite stature, and a soft voice. I definitely worry that I will struggle with getting people to respect me as a professional as well. It doesnt bother me too much, though because Im just happy I got an early start and will be done with nursing school soon.

misswhitney · Jan 18, 2009

I am 20 and will be 21 when I graduate with my RN and 22 when I graduate with my BSN. A lot of patients do not want me to lift them because I am so small and sometimes they think I am teenage volunteer. But most of the people I have come across have been very sweet and once I tell them I am a student nurse and that I am young, they have been very encouraging. They usually are proud that I am so young and in nursing school (and the fact that I look so young only enforces that) so they are more willing to let me do things that they know will help me learn. The one thing I usually have a problem with regarding my age is the fact that I have a son. Most people cannot believe that I have one (they think I am like 15-16) and usually give me nasty comments about that.

When it comes to being appreciated and respected, most of my teachers have said they have seen me "mature" (haha I have basically stayed the same person) over the time they have known me. They are more likely to give me a recommendation more than someone else because they have seen me "grow" into a nurse. The same thing will happen whenever I actually become a nurse. Once they are around me enough and see how I am, my fellow employees and boss will think I "grew up." It took me awhile but I realized that I have to use my size and looks for my advantage.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2009

my advice is to dress professionally and don't dress and act like a 16 year old around patients. your patients will primarily be a lot more older than you so act like they expect a professional to act when you are in clinicals. most older patients don't understand why young people today pierce their body, tattoo it, and color their hair like the rainbow. it scares some of them because they are frail. you can't change that you look your age. mature people understand that. i don't think that is ever a problem. what would be a problem is if you color your hair green and wear lip rings. (we saw a kid yesterday with short brown hair and a bright orange mohawk spiked up really high.) that kind of stuff scares patients. believe me, soon enough you'll be wishing you looked 16 again! hint. . .us old fogies know how to look for telltale wrinkle lines to reveal someone's true age even when they look like they are 16 years old. we can also tell by the way you form your thoughts when you speak what your mental age is.

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2009

I have to agree with daytonight. Your professionalism will show through. You may have to make sure you are assertive, sure of yourself and capable. That's what comes across as maturity. Also your speech patterns. So many young women say every sentence as if it were a question; their voices rising at the end of asentence. Train yourself NOT to do that. It's a colloquilism that has seeped into some peoples speech and it's terribly annoying and immature sounding. Present yourself professionally, know your stuff and present it with assurance.

sunray12 · Jan 18, 2009

i have to agree with daytonight. your professionalism will show through. you may have to make sure you are assertive, sure of yourself and capable. that's what comes across as maturity. also your speech patterns. so many young women say every sentence as if it were a question; their voices rising at the end of asentence. train yourself not to do that. it's a colloquilism that has seeped into some peoples speech and it's terribly annoying and immature sounding. present yourself professionally, know your stuff and present it with assurance.

+2

i don't think there's any assumption that all nurses need to be big, mean and 30 something (since people start worrying about being too old after that). :) it's all in how you carry yourself.

FLmomof5 · Jan 19, 2009

My DD is 5'2" ~ 98 -100 lbs, 23 yo, blond, pretty (OK, yeah so I am her mother.....but she is still pretty! LOL) and she looks 16. She has spent 3 of the past 4 Christmases in the sandbox (Iraq)......She is a Combat Medic. You know you have "arrived" when the men start calling you "Doc". It is tough when you look young....and I tell her the same thing....you WILL appreciate it later. Currently, I am 46 and look about 35....and folks flip that my 5'4" 115 lb body delivered 5 youngun's!