Young Looking Nurses

shah · Nov 3, 2010

Just so you know, that implies that the OP and every other young person on here contributing to this thread is a bimbo too...

It is kind of a rite of passage.

I was a bimbo once.

veolai37 · Nov 3, 2010

It is tough being a young looking nurse. I am 37 and have been in nursing 11 years. I have a bachelor's degree in family life education and am getting my BSN online. I go into patient's rooms and I am still treated as the nursing assistant.....older nurses frequently are critical of me and say that I have not earned my supervision roles or day shift position. All I can say is if you figure it out let me know! It helps that you see yourself as a leader, and increase your credibility. I have to wear little or no make up, and stopped dying my hair blonde so I can gain credibility. I also dress professionally and wear white. I tell my patients I that I have a an adult child and they seem shocked. The bottom line is if you are confident and act like it; your patients will trust you. So be confident, take it as a compliment and be sure you act professional and know your stuff! It okay to look young and be short...just believe in yourself!

blonde1 · Nov 3, 2010

always, they say my sister who is 17 looks older than me and i'm 31. the best way is to show your professional, be respectful, and know your stuff and thats all that will count. at times i still need to remind a few patients that age doesn't matter that knowledge does and then tell them my age and that i'm not 18 anymore.:hhmth:

mvg rn · Nov 3, 2010

I'm 35, have been repeatedly told I look about 16 and I still get carded everywhere. They always look my ID up and down like its fake. In my 12.5 years in the NICU, I've been asked many times by parents if I'm old enough to be a nurse. I always assure them that I am which seem to help. I have found that what helps the most is performing my job in a mature, professional manor. :nurse:

LETRN · Nov 3, 2010

I'm 28, have two kids, and have been married for 8 years and I still get comments. It used to bug me, but I'm starting to enjoy the look on people's faces when they realize that I'm not an idiotic child and I actually know what I'm doing :lol2:

Ceecee01 · Nov 3, 2010

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

I started my first nsg job a couple of days after turning 20 and yes I have gotten many of those, "You look too young to be a nurse" and over the years they diminished and now I get, you look too young to have a 27y/o son. Your patients will respond to your knowledge and professionalism and you will find the trust and respect will come in time. :nurse:

darrell · Nov 3, 2010

You will do fine. Be skilled, be genuine, be human. Do not fall into the trap of trying to be something you are not in order to compensate for what you are. Earn respect because you care, you are competent and you behave skillfully.

D

Wishinonastar, BSN · Nov 3, 2010

I used to hear it all the time - "you look too young". It used to infuriate me but I would smile and say thank you and move on without discussion. Now I have some grey and it is not a problem!

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Nov 3, 2010

I am 32 and some patients still think I look too young to be a nurse. I get it a lot more that I am very pregnant. People assume it is my first child and think I am in my early twenties- their eyes bug out when I say I am on child #3 and have been married for X amount of years. I have been a nurse for 10 years, and was a CNA prior to that. I usually just thank them and laugh when I get asked if I am old enough to be a nurse. No one has ever refused me for being young or being young looking. Be confident, but not ARROGANT. Admit when you don't know something, and then follow up on it to find out for them. Just be professional, and DRESS professional. No glittery make-up, big elaborate hair styles, dagger fake nails in bright colors, tons of jewelry, super trendy scrubs in neon green or anything like that. Also, don't chew gum or let them see you texting, giggling at the nurses station like a 10 year old, etc. I am not saying you can't enjoy your job- I am just saying to look and act mature and you shouldn't have any problems.

Kaiviti · Nov 3, 2010

one of my friend here in nursing school looks just like a 12 year old...she has this kind of attitude-the "NO CARE" kinda attitude..the only thing that makes her look old is her hair. she grows it like so big and straightens it..her hair falls just above her shoulders...i tell you that makes her look like a 21 year old...you should try it out..i think it might work for you..it is just a suggestion!!!

Caffeine_IV · Nov 3, 2010

I'm 25 and patients/family always think I'm 17 or 18yo. I constantly get asked how old I am and how long I've been a nurse.

It gets a wee bit annoying because they don't ask the older looking nurses with less experience. They assume that I'm new.

The only thing I do is maintain my confidence and do my best to "know my stuff." I don't try and wear my hair/makeup in ways to look older...I'm fine with the way I look.

ginagina24 · Nov 4, 2010

I always just say Thank you. If they get really insistant on age (and they are annoying, come on we all know they type) I tell them I have been doing this for "some time", and this is a second career (what do you consider a second career - from a student to working full time, what are the limits of this statement)?!. I always just tell them what they want to hear, because it is all about customer service anyway, right?