What do you say when a patient asks you how old you are?

[blondy2061h]

I seem to have a lot of patients asking me how old I am lately. It often comes from other 20-something year old patients. I can see how this would be thought to be acceptable. I'm obviously too young for it to be an inappropriate question. However, I am concerned I'll loss respect as a professional if I reveal how young I am, as quite frankly, I am rather young (23). I already take some teasing from my coworkers on this front. I feel rude just saying "none of your business" particularly when I know all of their personal details (yes, I know, I'm the nurse, they're the patient).

So, what do you say? So far I've just been answering honestly.

[KeyMaster]

Old enough to know better, young enough not to care!

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I say that "I'm as old as my nose and a little bit older than my teeth"--that usually gets a laugh.

[soulofme]

If they are young... I tell em old enough to be your mother!

[OzarksgalCNA]

I gladly tell people I'm 54 because everyone says I look at least 10 years younger. Especially now that my hair is a golden blonde and I spike it....LOL

~Anna~

[epiphany]

"old enough to know better" is my answer to anyone asking my age.

[anonymurse]

Older than dirt.

[beachbutterfly]

I really dont understand what is the big deal about revealing to your patients your age.It is not like they are asking you for your phone number,they wont be able to track you down by simply knowing your birthday.

[anonymurse]

No general cases. Your antennae should tell you whether you have a pt that needs a taste of limit setting right off the bat versus some warm personalization.

[glory_devine]

Tell them u r 1 day older than yesterday.

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Depends on why they are asking. But the truth has usually worked for me.

[nicunana]

Just say"Don't you know that a woman who would tell her age would tell anything!!" and laugh or smile:chuckle. It's an old southern belle response.

[RNperdiem, RN]

I have no problem telling my age.

Age is public record type of info you would see printed in the newspaper.

Any questions more personal than that, however, I usually give the polite dodge.