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Discussion

Young Nurses

I have been a nurse in the ICU for a year now. I am 24 years old, and I feel like some/most patients don't respect me as a nurse because of how young I am/look. How do I work around this? It is weighing on me because people don't trust me.

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    You instill confidence in them by acting like a professional who is competent and has her act together. Observe other nurses who you respect and be mindful of how they present themselves to their patients and other members of the team. Your behavior/demeanor will go a long way. In the meantime, enjoy your youthful appearance; nursing is sure to suck the life force out of you in no time ;)

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    You instill confidence in them by acting like a professional who is competent and has her act together. Observe other nurses who you respect and be mindful of how they present themselves to their patients and other members of the team. Your behavior/demeanor will go a long way. In the meantime, enjoy your youthful appearance; nursing is sure to suck the life force out of you in no time ;)
    What she said. I had the same problem as you, and my first job was also in an ICU. People would ask me if I was a candy striper, as I was suctioning a critically ill, vented micro preemie. I still have people treat me like I'm a lot younger and have their demeanor instantly change when they find out my actual age. It's kind of funny now.
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    Agree with pp! a) enjoy it! b) consider how your perception comes in to play.

    I think patients are more affected by how we are acting, which stems from our own self-perception. If you feel inferior (for a given reason, ie looking young) then they sense this. If you walk tall, which is something we learn to actively practice sometimes, especially when we are newer, then this is what the patient will sense.

    Just another way of looking at it!

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    • Expert

    "I have always looked young. I'm 50 and frequently am mistaken for someone in their 30's. When I was a new nurse I looked about 12. You can't change your physical features but you can change your appearance and appearing professional and polished will silence the questions. If your hair is long wear it in a neat ponytail or bun. Not the messy "I just rolled out of bed" and am going to play field hockey bun. Forget the headband/ponytail look. Wear conservative scrubs that fit, are clean, wrinkle free and aren't so long that they're dragging on the ground and leave the cartoon prints for people who work in peds. Minimize the bling on your body. Leave the cutesy namebadge holder and stethoscope tag at home. Light-colored or no nail polish (no glitter). When you meet a patient or their family member for the first time shake their hand firmly and introduce yourself. If they ask you a question that you can't answer avoid the deer-in-the-headlight look and calmly tell them that you don't know but will find out immediately. Then do it. Your appearance and demeanor should reflect the consummate professional you are and if they do I promise that you will be taken seriously"

    Said by another poster in a similar thread last year but I think it is worth repeating. I sometimes cannot believe the way some people come to work. Patients will judge you instantly on your appearance before you even say one word. If you look like a professional and act like a professional you will be treated like a professional no matter your age. I also find that direct eye-contact and a raised eyebrow will stop most patients in their tracks when they start treating you like a child.:sniff:

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    If the reason they aren't giving you the respect you deserve is because you dress or groom unprofessionally then there you go. Look the part, act the part, and the rest follows. If you have a completely professional look meaning no cutesy scrubs or bling and your hair and nails and makeup say Professional not Student then make sure your attitude and voice convey a professional as well.

    I've met young and very young looking nurses who impressed me with how they were The Total Package, brains and bright attitude and professional air. I respect those. Ones who look like they are doing this nursing thing as a side money job to their real goal of being a country singer, well not so much.

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