Specialties Emergency
Published Jul 8, 2008
crystalclear
78 Posts
Are hospitals reluctant to hire heavy nurses for the ER? Do you think it matter?
Buckyxj
I dont think it matters my clinical instructor was a very large guy and worked in the ER. Still one of the best nurses I have ever met.
traumaRUs, MSN, APRN
88 Articles; 21,250 Posts
As long as you can do the job and get in the spaces necessary to do pt care, no problem.
LifeIsShortHaveFun
3 Posts
I havev not seen weight as a problem for hire on any unit, including the ER. My experience has been that decisions about hire of nurses takes more into account experience, past job history, and references from previous employers about dependabililty, etc. Actually in a busy ER or ICU, that sometimes sees agressive, agitated patients, sometimes larger size can be seen as a positive.
mianders, RN
236 Posts
I worked the ER for many years and weight was never an issue. However, if your weight interferes with your own ADL's it could create a problem in any type of nursing.
Gr8Dane
122 Posts
Well its a catch 22.
Im a fat guy, mid 20's, I get tired way faster then I should. I recently hurt my back and its taken 4 months to get fully recovered. (Went from muscle to nerve to finally almost completely better).
On another note, I am well loved whenever I go to Code Oranges (Security Incidents) w/ combative, confused patients. Im the one who jumps ontop and holds the patients down for others to restrain them.
Sometimes just my presence will calm the patient down.
Now not saying skinny people cant do the same, but its imtimidation factor, even to a confused patient.
Larry77, RN
1,158 Posts
I have worked in many departments in my own hospital and I would have to say that the ED is definitely the most physically challenging...we are literally on our feet running for 12hrs every day.
As long as someone can handle being on their feet that long I don't think it matters how much they weigh..although most of the extremely large nurses I know work psych or ICU :)