[fifi2323]

I hope this post doesn't offend anyone,but I have noticed a lot of the nurses I know are overweight,smokers or both. Obviously people become nurses because they completed school,and are qualified to do their jobs,which has nothing to do with physical appearance or vices.

Its common knowledge that smoking and/or obesity can kill you,but I would think those in the healthcare field would have a more acute idea of how health is jeopardized by these things. I am asking one out of curiousity,and secondly because I myself am overweight. I was just wondering if anybody has ever gotten any flak from patients or higher-ups? Or do you feel you aren't taken as seriously because of how you look,or because you need a cigarette break? I hope this hasn't happened,since its discriminatory and wrong,but we all know that doesn't mean much!

[P_RN]

No flak. Overweight, don't smoke, don't drink, have a px every year, mammogram etc. MVI, anticholysterol, asa 81 mg. Doing the best I can. Why do you ask? Do you feel like this?

[Luv2BAnurse]

I've never personally gotten any flak (I am overweight...naw, go ahead and say it..OBESE) for my personal appearance, although those press ganey reports revealed that someone thought that the hospital's nurses were "too big". I don't drink, quit smoking 4 years ago, rarely exercise, even though I know that I should. I give encouragement/reinforcement to my patients as needed and I know they can see that I should/could take better care of my body. They also KNOW that I am taking care of theirs while in the hospital. The majority of my patients are darned glad to see me coming especially when it's time for pain medicine or for help moving up in bed.
I also think this may be more of an issue if the majority of nurses are small to average size. The hospital I am speaking of, half of the nurses were overweight....but half of the patients were too!

[Elisheva]

Ask me if I want a thin, lousy nurse or an overweight competent one?

[ktwlpn]

Originally Posted by fifi2323

I hope this post doesn't offend anyone,but I have noticed a lot of the nurses I know are overweight,smokers or both. Obviously people become nurses because they completed school,and are qualified to do their jobs,which has nothing to do with physical appearance or vices.
Its common knowledge that smoking and/or obesity can kill you,but I would think those in the healthcare field would have a more acute idea of how health is jeopardized by these things. I am asking one out of curiousity,and secondly because I myself am overweight. I was just wondering if anybody has ever gotten any flak from patients or higher-ups? Or do you feel you aren't taken as seriously because of how you look,or because you need a cigarette break? I hope this hasn't happened,since its discriminatory and wrong,but we all know that doesn't mean much!

Do a search on this board-you'll find numerous threads on this topic.Most ended up locked.As for me-I don't really care if my doctor smokes or my president screws around (or if my DOCTOR screws around either)-just as long as they are competent to perform their duties.I think my persoanl life is just that-unless I am impaired on the job.

[PANurseRN1]

Now you have a problem with people who are overweight or smoke? You have another thread going where talk about your problem with "older" co-workers.

It's not really appropriate to be judging others based on age/weight/appearance. We all have our own unhealthy habits. You ought to be thankful there are good nurses out there, regardless of how much they weigh/whether they smoke.

[VivaLasViejas]

Originally Posted by ktwlpn

Do a search on this board-you'll find numerous threads on this topic.Most ended up locked.As for me-I don't really care if my doctor smokes or my president screws around (or if my DOCTOR screws around either)-just as long as they are competent to perform their duties.I think my persoanl life is just that-unless I am impaired on the job.

Well said! BRAVO!!

[txspadequeen921]

I remember a while back there was a thread like this and it became a hot thread requiring several coolong off periods....

[txspadequeen921]

Good Grief.

[ktwlpn]

Professional competency is important to me-that is what matters to the patient's outcome..