There's nothing worse than a FAT nurse!

caliotter3 · Jun 2, 2012

I would have had to be present to come to a conclusion about whether or not his remarks offended me. But in general, I don't feel I can be offended if a professional is speaking in a professional manner about health concerns. Obese myself, I see where I deserve the admonitions, to a point. I guess, snarkiness is in the perceptions of the beholder.

SonOfStBenedict · Jun 2, 2012

sometimes we all have biased thoughts, and i can concur that is one of that i've heard quite a few times. it's like saying there is nothing worse than a nurse that smokes, granted we all have our downfalls, its just in lieu of being in health care giving pt advice on how to get better how are they to take you seriously if, you're telling them they need to lose weight but you are obese also or telling a pt with copd they need to stop smoking but you come back from lunch smelling like a pack of joe's. its doesn't necessarily line up if that makes sense, i think that goes back to pt trust and establishing a good basis with the pt by helping them have more confidence in your abilities if you are "practicing what you preach." however he could have said it in a nicer manner, instead of being an a-wad! kudos to you on the weight loss!:yelclap:

TheERMurse · Jun 2, 2012

First, good job on the weight loss.

As far as the doc, I would have to hear how he said what he said to determine his A-Hole worthiness.

He is correct in that nurses are really bad at ignoring their health. Starting from NS and throughout their career. Family and work often come first, which leaves little time to take care of themselves. If you are a shift worker(nightshift), your even more likely to not take good care of yourself.

Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jun 2, 2012

You guys are right. I should go into more detail as to how he said it. I should've said that the nurse who weighed me was obese.He leaned in and said it so the nurse wouldn't hear. That lead me to believe that what he said wasn't just sound advice but was also a poke at the obese nurse. I'm almost at my goal of 40lbs and I got the feeling he wouldn't have said that if I was at my previous weight.. that's the impression I got.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jun 2, 2012

I don't mean to be rude or insulting when I say this. I am not skinny either. I'm about 30 lbs over a healthy bmi. But.I am more offended when a doctor or nurse does *not* talk about my overweight on a visit. You see, I used to be bigger. 50 lbs over a healthy bmi. And my doctor / whoever I saw on appts never mentioned this. I was unaware of the risks to my health that were occurring: diabetes, stroke, death.So I'm just saying, I'm kind of glad he mentioned your weight to you. You dont want to die because you didn't want to be offended, right?(hugs) I'm sorry his words hurt you and hope mine do not.

Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jun 2, 2012

I don't mean to be rude or insulting when I say this. I am not skinny either. I'm about 30 lbs over a healthy bmi. But.I am more offended when a doctor or nurse does *not* talk about my overweight on a visit. You see, I used to be bigger. 50 lbs over a healthy bmi. And my doctor / whoever I saw on appts never mentioned this. I was unaware of the risks to my health that were occurring: diabetes, stroke, death.So I'm just saying, I'm kind of glad he mentioned your weight to you. You dont want to die because you didn't want to be offended, right?(hugs) I'm sorry his words hurt you and hope mine do not.

your words did not me offended at all. Thank you.

Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jun 2, 2012

Thanks for the weight loss kudos!

Stephalump · Jun 2, 2012

Ok, I'm sure that title made you want to throw up in your mouth. I don't blame you. I felt the same way when my physician said it to ME.In January, I decided to take control my life and lose weight. I have lost about 30lbs so far. So, when I went to my doctor last week, he noticed that I was 30lbs lighter. He asked if I was on a diet and I told him yes. I told him I was going to nursing school and want to be a good example if I'm going to lecture on proper diet and exercise.I guess my statement gave him a green light to be an a-hole.Doctor: that is so refreshing to hear! Nurses are notorious for ignoring their health. Keep up the good work. Remember, THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN A FAT NURSE! ::::doctor laughs::::I was in shock. I could not believe it. I went numb. I did not find what he said funny or supportive. Yeah... I'm actively searching for a NP to be my primary care provider.... I happen to like NP's better. I find them to be less socially retarded.What's the general consensus on obese nurses? Are obese nurses not taken seriously? Is what my doctor said a common thought?

First of all...wow. That's so incredibly rude, but nothing that comes out of doctor's mouths surprises me anymore.

Second of all, CONGRATS on your weight-loss success! 30 lbs is awesome!

My mother in law was 200 lbs overwrought when she first started NS. Something (no idea what) les her to believe school would be good for weight loss, but of course she just piled it on. It impacted her stamina during clinicals, her energy to stay up and study, the respect she got from instructors and hospital staff, and most importantly -her self esteem. She absolutely could not take the bull by the horns without a good amount of self-confidence, failed out of NS, and ended up in the hospital (panic attacks) where she was told: nursing isn't the right field for fat people.

She spent a few more years feeling sorry for herself and gaining more weight until one day she woke up and decided she was going to be a flipping nurse, started WW, lost 200lbs, went back to NS, and just graduated last month. She's already employed and loving it. :)

Maybe the comment from the doctor is what shook her up, I don't know. If so, a lot of good came out of it, but I still don't think it's appropriate. "Nobody likes a fat nurse" is not medical advice. It's not ever career advice. It's just an opinion he like to ascribe to the entire world and put onto overweight nurses. It's an underlying mocking attitude of innocent people is have nothing to do with.

♑ Capricorn ♑ · Jun 2, 2012

Ok, I'm sure that title made you want to throw up in your mouth. I don't blame you. I felt the same way when my physician said it to ME.In January, I decided to take control my life and lose weight. I have lost about 30lbs so far. So, when I went to my doctor last week, he noticed that I was 30lbs lighter. He asked if I was on a diet and I told him yes. I told him I was going to nursing school and want to be a good example if I'm going to lecture on proper diet and exercise.I guess my statement gave him a green light to be an a-hole.Doctor: that is so refreshing to hear! Nurses are notorious for ignoring their health. Keep up the good work. Remember, THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN A FAT NURSE! ::::doctor laughs::::I was in shock. I could not believe it. I went numb. I did not find what he said funny or supportive. Yeah... I'm actively searching for a NP to be my primary care provider.... I happen to like NP's better. I find them to be less socially retarded.What's the general consensus on obese nurses? Are obese nurses not taken seriously? Is what my doctor said a common thought?
You guys are right. I should go into more detail as to how he said it. I should've said that the nurse who weighed me was obese.He leaned in and said it so the nurse wouldn't hear. That lead me to believe that what he said wasn't just sound advice but was also a poke at the obese nurse. I'm almost at my goal of 40lbs and I got the feeling he wouldn't have said that if I was at my previous weight.. that's the impression I got.

Honestly, I think your doctor was joking. He's a physician. Do you honestly think he seriously feels that way? On the upside, I am happy to hear about your weightloss. Keep up the good work. :)

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2012

Ok, I'm sure that title made you want to throw up in your mouth. I don't blame you. I felt the same way when my physician said it to ME.In January, I decided to take control my life and lose weight. I have lost about 30lbs so far. So, when I went to my doctor last week, he noticed that I was 30lbs lighter. He asked if I was on a diet and I told him yes. I told him I was going to nursing school and want to be a good example if I'm going to lecture on proper diet and exercise.I guess my statement gave him a green light to be an a-hole.Doctor: that is so refreshing to hear! Nurses are notorious for ignoring their health. Keep up the good work. Remember, THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN A FAT NURSE! ::::doctor laughs::::I was in shock. I could not believe it. I went numb. I did not find what he said funny or supportive. Yeah... I'm actively searching for a NP to be my primary care provider.... I happen to like NP's better. I find them to be less socially retarded.What's the general consensus on obese nurses? Are obese nurses not taken seriously? Is what my doctor said a common thought?

If you were offended by the doctor's comments, how do you think someone affected by intellectual disabilities would feel about your use of the term "socially retarded"?

Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Jun 2, 2012

If you were offended by the doctor's comments, how do you think someone affected by intellectual disabilities would feel about your use of the term "socially retarded"?

I don't think using the word should be offensive to a person with an intellectual disability. Maybe its bc I never use the term to describe a person with an ID. So I don't even think about offending that population when I use it.

Ive worked with intellectually disabled children and adults and (IMHO) they have more social skills than many adults with average IQ's. Just sayin..... BUT, If my use of the word offended anyone, I apologize.