Young NP not getting any respect

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I started my path to becoming a RN at 18 years old. Since then, time has flown by- got a job in ICU straight out of school. I worked with other RNs and even LPNs that had at least 10 years on me. I managed and I learned a lot during the 4 years spent there. All the while I worked, I continued my education. I became a NP at 26. I love my job, love my patients, I am thankful EVERY day I have the opportunity to have a job that I am happy doing. I look young for my age, and I am young! I am concerned bc I am 4 months into my first new job, and many of the patients request to see the Doc after seeing me or have even gone as far as calling the manager to complain about me. I was told the biggest complaint is my age. I am so heart broken over the issue because I can honestly say that I try my best every day, I am learning so much and I am proud of myself and my progress. Not to mention, I have treated every patient with respect and empathy. I need to know any tricks, advice, etc. I feel like no matter what I do, some people are just unable to be pleased. Or is it me?

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You won't get away from the age complaint unfortunately. I think like any new practitioner, you will have to earn your patients' trust. Just be confident, competent, and professional. Sooner or later they will stop seeing the doctor after because he's only telling them the same thing you did.

They will start to trust you and look past your age. Sad to say it'll likely take more time than someone who is older or even just looks older, but has the same experience. I'm not saying that it's right, but hang in there. Impress the heck out of them and win them over one by one.

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

I would suspect it is more of looking young than being young. I have several NP colleagues that started at 22 and have done very well for themselves.

It takes time to build a patient base. Make follow up calls. Make sure you really listen to patients and spend extra time with them to build trust. Make sure you are confident in your plan and articulate it to them. Nothing turns patients off seeing any new provider like feeling unheard, rushed, and unsure.

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I'm not an NP yet ... but although I look young, when I am with a patient during clinicals I make sure my body language conveys authority. I am careful with my facial expression and how I articulate my words.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Urgent Care, Cardiac Ca.

Agreed with OrangePink. I'm done with NP school this May, and I get Doogie-Howser jokes ALL THE TIME! I'm 28, and even have a thinning hair line, but I guess I look a little boyish. Anyway, I dress a little more formally than other providers (nice fitted shirts and slacks, dress/casual shoes), keep it professional and courteous, and watch my wording. This seems to help a great deal. Interestingly, wearing the lab coat makes it worse! No lab coat = assumption I'm older.

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Specializes in Critical care, Trauma.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this discrimination. =/

I am a 27 yo female LPN that works in a doctor's office. I look quite a bit younger...have had several people ask me if I'm still in high school. Usually this isn't a big deal unless people come in for sensitive subjects (usually either sexual/ED or psychiatric). This can be especially tough because psychiatric nursing is my passion -- I eventually want to be a PMHNP.

Are you able to sense the patient's discomfort before they go so far as to say something to a higher up? There have been a few times where I have said something about how I know ____ topic can be sensitive, but we are professionals. With a couple I've gone so far as to say that I am both a mental health professional and consumer. Again, a lot of these patients may have discomfort more related to the topic than my age, but I've found coming out and addressing the issue right up front can help start the appointment off in a positive direction. It might make them more comfortable to at least see how you are going to respond to the complaints with which they present.

For the ones that do make complaints, do you know what your manager is telling them? Having him/her in your corner and willing to say "I know lovepeacejoy1 looks young, but she is a competent professional" can be helpful. The doctor I work for has come out directly and told a couple of her patients to stop discriminating against me based on my perceived age.

I also agree with what others above said... be sure to present a professional image, be aware of your vocabulary and try to appear confident. Don't apologize for not knowing something, instead say that you will do some research and find the answer.

Ultimately, some people are going to look for reasons to be uncomfortable, no matter how wonderful you are, if your plan of treatment doesn't match their assumption/expectation of what should happen. If they're going to be that uncomfortable or quick to look for fault, then it's going to be more difficult to treat them anyway. I'm sure it will feel disheartening since you are in the beginning of building up your client base, but eventually this will be a distant concern. Help the people that are interested in your help, and accept that others are not going to be an efficient use of your time. It's impossible to please everyone and you don't have to apologize for that. *hugs*

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Specializes in FNP, ONP.

Consider allocution lessons. With some coaching, you might learn how to project yourself with more confidence and authority.

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This is a very interesting dilemma. I will be finishing my FNP program this upcoming May (2014) and will be 24 once I graduate. My birthday is in July so I'll probably be 25 by the time I obtain an FNP job. I never would've thought about the lack of respect or compaints received for being young or looking young. Fortunately or unfortunately for me, depending on how you look at it, I actually do look older than I am and no one ever believes my true age when I tell them. I agree with the other posters about being more assertive and confident when speaking with your patients. My son has been examined by young PAs or residents with no problem from me because they took time to explain things to me and were confident in their way of speaking. Now if they had not been able to make eye contact or stuttered through our encounter, I sure would've asked for the MD. Its really about how you present yourself. Many MDs graduate and finish residency in their "young" years, I think medical schools encourage more authoritative behavior when dealing with patients. FNPs should be no different, communicate with your patients but also possess the confidence and knowledge to gain their trust in your decisions about their care.

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Grow a beard

LOL, JK

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