You look too young to be a nurse

[SwansonRN]

Is something I hear from my patients constantly. I'm petite with I guess a lot of people consider a "baby face". I am told a lot that I look like I'm in my teens. Thanks? It used to not bother me, but now I think it's rude even if it is meant as a compliment. Why do you think it's okay to ask me how old I am or comment on the way I look? What if you walked up to a bank teller or a mechanic and demanded to know how old they were? It also stresses me out because I feel like I have to work that much harder to earn the patient's trust once they say that.

What I'm asking is, what would a good/appropriate response be when a patient asks my age/comments on the way I look?

[KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN]

As always, great points. I'm still a sensitive gal, so that's something I obviously need to work on.

I feel ya. I'm pretty sensitive too. But working in this field will help you toughen up lol.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

As always, great points. I'm still a sensitive gal, so that's something I obviously need to work on.

:hug: We aren't perfect.....but it does get easier with the more experience and confidence you feel.

[BrenRN12]

I too have this issue and the problem is that I look about 17, I have almost a few months of nursing experience and I am actually 22 what should I do when it feels like the pt doesnt respect my opinion once they know that Im young or figure that I have a few months of experience. I'm still growing in this profession so what should I say when someone asks for my age, or when I was licensed? Should I plead the fifth?As a another poster stated. Normally I get this question when I introduce myself so it can set the tone for the shift even if I try to provide the best care possible I still get that condescending tone from some pts. What should I do? Especially if I get the feeling that my response will cause the pt to be uneasy or not to take me seriously. With some pts I definitely knew that the question was just out of curiosity which I completely understand others get uneasy or try to take advantage such as making requests that they might believe a newer nurse would be lenient on etc. I normally tell them that I have good genes, what else can I say especially when this answer does not suffice for some pts.

[SaoirseRN]

I am fantastic at IV starts, and was called to pediatrics one day to start a line on a twelve year old. Of course, someone had put topical anesthetic on his arm where they figured I should try, but naturally the best places once I had the tourniquet on were not within the "numb" areas. Mom refused to let me try anywhere but the numbed areas, and of course I missed. She looked at me, then at the peds nurse behind me, and said, "I want somebody with more experience. You can leave now."

I didn't argue (no point), but I AM the one people call for a tough start and I don't often miss. The peds nurse who called me was in her fifties and could not start an IV to save her life, but all mom could see was I looked too young and she looked experienced so she should be the one to do it.