Why can't I be a nurse?

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Have any of you young nurses had the problem of patients and/or their family members assuming that you aren't or can't be a nurse just because you appear to be young. I am 26 years old, although most people think I'm about 21. (I guess I have a baby face) I'm an LPN/LVN on a Labor & Delivery floor and I went in to start an IV the other night and the patient's mother asked me "Oh, where did you take your phlebotomy class." Another night one nurse was in the room doing an IV and she was unable to get it started so she had me go try and the patient's husband so "Oh....they had to send the assistant in to start the IV. What is an assistant anyway? I have also been called the housekeeper by a nurse from another unit. She was like "Oh I'm sorry, I couldn't see your name badge. She couldn't see my name badge and she "assumed" I was the housekeeper. Sorry if I'm carrying on and on but this is getting old. I'm so sick of it.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I guess I would shrug and laugh it off. The best piece of advice I've ever received is to laugh at yourself and don't take things too seriously. Be glad that you look so young. Believe me, you'll appreciate that as you get older and WISH people thought you were younger. Good luck and take care...

One of my friends was working in the nursery and noticed the trash was piling up. She was getting a little angry because she could see a woman, who she assumed was housekeeping, lounging w/ her feet up, at the desk. The woman was a bit unkempt and she said it just irritated her how this woman was loafing while there was a lot of work to do. Just as she had decided to approach this "housekeeper" to take out the trash, another nurse introduced her to Dr____, a new attending physician. Knowing Dr.___, she would've had absolutely Zero sense of humour about it. Honestly, she was much to sloppy or nasty to have been one of the housekeeping staff!

I used to get asked if I was jr. volunter when I was about your age. Don't worry the wrinkles will come. Mine have after working straight nights for almost 14 years. Enjoy your youthfulness,but I'd be pleasantly firm that you are a nurse, not a tech or aide. Best of luck!

Trust me, if things like this worry you, you will start to look older very soon!

:D

Make a joke of it. Say something like, "Yeah, I'm just here today to see where my mother works...", then introduce yourself by your name and license.

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Originally posted by jemb

Trust me, if things like this worry you, you will start to look older very soon!

:D

Make a joke of it. Say something like, "Yeah, I'm just here today to see where my mother works...", then introduce yourself by your name and license.

exactly. if this is your biggest worry in nursing, you are doing VERY well. You will not be this young forever. Let it roll off ya like water off a ducks' back.

Cali, I can't help but laugh, cause I know just how you feel. You're an adult and want to be treated as such, but you look like a kid. I had that same problem and hated it. But I promise you, someday you're going to love it! I am 42 and people are always shocked that I have two grown kids (one just out of the Air Force), a four year old, and a grandbaby. I always get guessed at being in my early 30's. It's amusing when my daughter tells me that some of her husband's friends (they're all 19 and 20) think I'm "hot."

Try to put up with it for now; you're going to have a lot of fun with it later!;)

Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.

Why not just introduce yourself to the patients? I go into every room and say, "Hello, Mr./Mrs./Ms.______________, my name is________, I'm your nurse tonight until 7am, and I'm here to do_____________. Not only will this help you to avoid confusion/misperception on their part, it opens up a line of communication while you do your assessment, and helps them to feel more comfortable with you.

Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

I've noticed the new docs get younger every year around here!

Weird phenomenon!:p

Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Oh, I remember the days!! :D :D

I was 20 when I graduated from the ADN program, and many patients commented that I looked 16! Yet FOUR YEARS later (after doing ICU nursing, team leading - back in the days, lol - ) some guessed I was 28! So in four years of working, I'd aged 12 years!!

I'm with the others: introduce yourself. Gotta shrug off the comments and laugh; don't let comments get your panties in a wad, life is too short! -- d

LOL, your post brought back memories of when I started working in the hospital. I was working in the lab as a phlebotomist at 20 after getting my associate's degree, I worked there 2 years and I heard over and over again, "Are you a student?" "How old are you?" "You don't look old enough to be doing this." "How long have you been doing this? You don't look old enough to have been doing it long" and so on. Now I'm 25 and have two children and I guess I still look young because I have people tell me I don't look old enough to have children. I understand how you feel, like you aren't respected because of the way you look. I hope by the time I'm a nurse I won't have to deal with this too much (although every once in a while would be a nice morale booster LOL) Tonya

ive been in your shoes cali.....

one day i accidently left my name badge in the car. i work in a small hospital in a small town so i just left it downstairs and went about my business. i went into one patient's room to start an IV no one else could get and they said "youre a nurse??!!!" "NO WAY.....youare way too young!" they didnt believe me....i walked all the way downstairs and got my badge to proove i was a nurse. im gonna take that as a compliment and remember it when people tell me im older than my age :D

When I was 21, I ordered an alcoholic beverage and the bartender looked at me and gasped, "I can't serve you. You must be 13." At the time I was hurt and embarrassed.

Now that I am over 30, I have noticed that people in their 20's look really young, like 13. I can't tell college and high school students apart.

Maybe it's my failing eyesight

:chuckle

Caroline

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