Young Looking Nurses

[VeniVidiVici]

Ok this is something that has been on my mind for a little while now. I am 19 and am going to be starting nursing school in fall next year. Ive always been told that I look really young, I get that I look 12 alot . It also doesnt help that im like 5 foot nothing! So my question is, how do you think this will affect the way patients look at me? Im really afraid that they wont trust my capabilities because I look so young. Have any of you ever had to deal with this? Feel free to share your experiences! Thanks

[ardTN]

I have gone through this ever since nursing school and up until now. i graduated nursing school when i was 23 and i just turned 24 8 days ago. i work in the intensive care unit. i get that i look 18/19 all of the time. I get "are you sure your old enough to take care of me?" Also family members to the patients that im taking care of will ask me how old i am or hint around about wanting to find out my age. if you experience this just tell them your honest age and dont worry about it. I tell my patients that im old enough to be out of nursing school and old enough to be taking care of them. look at it this way, maybe when we are 50 we will look 40 not a bad thing at all!!!

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Confidence Confidence Confidence!!! You may get the occasional quip about your appearance, but if you are confident and competent it won't be an issue.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I look very young. I'm 23 now, but I was 20 when I started working as an RN. Be confident around your patients, act mature, and don't dress inappropriately. My pts love me and never have a problem having a young nurse.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

You have to project confidence for people to trust you.

If you walked up to me like a teeny bopper and acted unprofessionally, I wouldn't hesitate to ask for another nurse.

Offense intended.

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

Don't show tattoos, wear too much make-up, jewelry, tight or cutesy scrubs; avoid slang and speak clearly and correctly with the kings english and you will do fine.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I used to have the same fear. I started working as a nurse at 20 years old and I'm now 21. What I have learned is that as long as you are competent and do what you are supposed to do the patients will trust you. I'm very mature for my age so I rarely get any comments. And when I do it's ok.

[Katie5]

Confidence and assertiveness is key. From your first meeting with your patient, they are guaging an assessing you. Your grade on that first test determines their subsequent.

I am young too and I wouldn't dream of making myself appear older just to be seen as knowledgeable. If you do appear older and behave as a teeny-bopper(I liked that JoPACURN) then it doesn't mean much.

[HyperSaurus, RN, BSN]

Don't show tattoos, wear too much make-up, jewelry, tight or cutesy scrubs; avoid slang and speak clearly and correctly with the kings english and you will do fine.

Do you mean "queen's english"?

[brownbook]

Hi, all good advice. Especially MassED, any simple little things you can do to "look" older.

I am so old it isn't funny. And the older I get the younger everyone else looks!!! I work with some Asian anesthesiologists (to clarify these are MD's) who I swear look like they are barely out of high school. And some of the patients do comment, but in a kind, joking, way, about how young their anesthesiologists looks!!!

Be yourself, be confident, give good nursing care, the patient won't care after you have shown your competence and caring.

[Katie5]

Do you mean "queen's english"?

I thot for sure he must be male:p

[naturalome]

Im 29 and look like Im straight out of high school, its been a life long curse ( with comments all my adult life) but Ive learned to make the best of it. I too look young, skinny and the 5'1 height doesnt help either. I agree that confidence and assertiveness can go far, but when a patient first sees you looks do make an impression. Keep the makeup minimal, to look like your not wearing any but cover up any redness ( makes you like a teenager), and thin eyeliner and mascara works wonders. I know people say I'll like it when i get older, but when does that happen?

[Sarah Bellum]

I have the opposite problem. I'm 41, and look like it. I'm a new grad and everyone who doesn't know me assumes I've been a nurse for years because of my appearances.

A little self-confidence will go a long way as will dressing, speaking and acting professionally. And you have a long career ahead of you, don't sweat too much about your current youthful looks.