Younger Nurses: Do you find people dont take you seriously? (semi-rant)

Gail-Anne · Dec 14, 2005

Now that I'm old it doesn't happen... not to say people take me seriously now, but at least it's not because I look young. Used to happen all the time! I had pts think I was a first year student, loved to scare them, telling them I was in charge!

You need to learn to be assertive, if you aren't already. I had a situation where I was discussing with a Dr, another nurse came up and put in her 2 cents worth, the Dr turned and started taking with her (ignoring me)...she wasn't even there when the incident we were discussing happened/ wasn't the pts nurse. Actually she wasn't even an older nurse-just looked like it! I had to excuse her and get the Dr attention back. That's just one example.

Most of the time I could take it with a sense of humour, when not being listened to though, it is irksome.

Only advice is to make sure you aren't dressing like a 15 yr old and practice professional opening lines. Good luck

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2005

I worked with a new grad nurse that was 22, very short. A patient asked me "who was that little girl running around here".

Sorry that it happens. Good luck.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2005

The average nurse enters practice at about age 36 (this was a statistic that was spilled out to me by a D.O.N.).

The reality is that most nurses are middle-aged and late-entry. People are speechless when they meet a nurse who is younger than the age of 25. They become even more speechless when they discover that the nurse is a BSN (rather than an ADN or LVN/LPN). No offense is intended toward ADNs or LVNs (after all, I'm an LVN).

KES · Dec 14, 2005

I know how you feel. I am only a nursing student right now, but I get it all the time during clinical. I am 21 years old, and I have had several patients aske me "are you 17?" It doesn't bother me too much now as a student, but I hope I don't keep getting the same reactions when I become an RN.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 14, 2005

Believe me, I totally feel your pain here....not only in the real world but in my personal life as well.

I am 22, look like I am much much younger, AND i have *braces*....

I have lived on my own since I was seventeen, own my car, and I am married. I have served four years in the military, work in the ICU as a nurse tech, and have one year of school left before I get my license. I am at the top of my class and the nurses I work with treat me like I already have my license, because I have proved to be extremely competent. Oh, and I don't walk around with a chip on my shoulder like I am a know-it-all either.

However, I was thrown out of a bar one night because the owner was very rude to me and told me that my ID was fake. When I gave her three more picture IDs, two of which were military issue, she went into a rant about kids my age and threw me out because it was a private establishment and she had every legal right to do so....didn't matter that I was polite, didn't matter that i was legal age, didn't matter that I was their with my HUSBAND wanting to celebrate his HOMECOMING FROM A YEAR LONG DEPLOYMENT.

I also have been attacked on these boards disagreeing with other nurses on certain issues....their reasoning being that I am young and know nothing about said issues. It is really quite frustrating.

I may be young, but I am still an intelligent, articulate young woman with thoughts and oppinions about world issues, nursing issues, and life issues.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2005

I also have been attacked on these boards disagreeing with other nurses on certain issues....their reasoning being that I am young and know nothing about said issues. It is really quite frustrating.
I may be young, but I am still an intelligent, articulate young woman with thoughts and oppinions about world issues, nursing issues, and life issues.

Right on! That was well-said.

I think people practice ageism in their everyday lives. They strongly believe that all young adults lead similar lifestyles that involve irresponsibility and other negative aspects. Also, they assume that young adults have not built up the fund of knowledge that is necessary to respond appropriately to various situations.

I am a 24 year old single female with no children. I didn't grow up with money like some of my acquaintances; therefore, I had to earn everything by way of hard work and my own merits. I bought my first home at age 22 and am fully aware that the vast majority of older adults who talk down to me probably weren't homeowners at age 22.

Not all young adults are the same, people. Ageism is nearly as bad as racism, sexism, and the other words that end in 'ism'. :rolleyes:

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2005

I just finished my first quarter of pre-reqs, and have allways feared I will have this problem. Right now I'm 18, and most people guess my age to be closer to 13-15. I'm small and short, things that may not change with a degree, so I hope co-workers and patients respect me for the nurse I will be. I can only hope I will have respect by the time I'm 26, as I hope to have my C.N.M. by then. :)

FutureRN2005 · Dec 15, 2005

I know just how you feel. There is not one day when I go to work and some one does not say something like: You look like you should be in high school. :uhoh3: And I am not even that young. I am 27 and when I finish nursing school, it will be my 2nd bachelors degree. I am already worried what it will be like when I finish school. I feel like I must really know my stuff to prove myself.

following_faith · Dec 15, 2005

I understand all of you! I am 25 and get ID'd for LOTTERY TICKETS!!! People always say, "Wow-I thought you were 17." It drives me nuts! I am small and don't wear make-up, which I am sure contributes. But when I see how SOME teenagers dress and do their make-up...oh my gosh! They look older than I actually am!

But just think-we are going to look so HOT when we are in our 50's!!:chuckle

TexasPediRN · Dec 15, 2005

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way! Thank you so much to everyone for your responses!

Everyone does seem to think I'm around 18 or so..and its just so frustrating!

Gail-Anne:

I like to think that I present myself in a professional manner, but I think its that young look that gets to everyone. I do dress professionally, but, I do peds home health right now- I have tons of pediatric scrubs, but mainly for home health I wear scrub pants and a plain T-shirt. I think I looked younger when I worked in the hospital from all of my scrub tops, but on a pediatric floor, you need something to make the kids smile! I do take it with a sense of humor, but yesterday just got to me after hearing it a lot!

asoldierswife05: Well said indeed. I read a lot of posts and dont want to put in my opinions because I am afraid since I am young, I wont be taken seriously.

I really appreciate all of the quick responses and your insight, it really is appreciated :) At least I'm off for a week now and can relax and de-stress myself..

TexasPediRN · Dec 15, 2005

I understand all of you! I am 25 and get ID'd for LOTTERY TICKETS!!! People always say, "Wow-I thought you were 17." It drives me nuts! I am small and don't wear make-up, which I am sure contributes. But when I see how SOME teenagers dress and do their make-up...oh my gosh! They look older than I actually am!
But just think-we are going to look so HOT when we are in our 50's!!:chuckle

Lol..thats great :) Now I have something to look forward too!!