Obese Nurses

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I am wondering if there is a weight requirement for nurses in Illinois. Is an obese nurse hirable?

PS: if we went by military standards, there would be a huge nursing shortage. A woman who is 5-7 and over 160 is considered overweight by military standards, which is usually the basis of height/weight/BMI charts.

In my view, this is a better way to calculate it (SBMI)

Calculate your BMI, correctly rated according to age and sex

Yes, I completely disagree with the BMI calculation based solely on height and weight. At 5'5 155, I'm muscular and in great shape. I would be SICK at 130-140.

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And they only hire male nurses because they give better care...

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Specializes in Oncology.
Yes. You have to have a BMI of 20 for women and 22 for men. Studies show critical thinking and task performance are directly related to weight. I personally refuse care from a nurse who is overweight, as he/she cannot possibly care for me safely.

Thank goodness for the Atlantic Coastal states, where up to 30 is allowable, except in Vermont, or for labor & delivery.

In all seriousness- no. But I imagine a very obese nurse would have a hard time getting hired and a harder time keeping up with the rigors of 13 hour shifts. I was over weight when I got hired and an obese now. I think it's hurt my advancement opportunities.

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Specializes in Gerontology.
You're right. The nurse practice act states that hair style is specific to race and ethnicity. However, current research is being conducted into which race makes for a better nurse. They are close to an answer, so we will soon see a weaning process of certain certain races. Then everyone's hair will be the same too.

Happy side note: I lost 5 pounds in our work's monthly weighing in process, so I got a .50 cent raise.

so if you gain weight next month, does your pay go down?

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Specializes in Oncology.
And they only hire male nurses because they give better care...

When they're not stealing all the meds out of the Pyxis

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I believe Illinois also requires shiny, well-oiled hair.

But that shiny hair cannot contain parabens.

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[ATTACH]21890[/ATTACH]

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Is this thread for real?

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It's only a matter of time before employers start penalizing us based on BMI much like they do now for tobacco :( I don't smoke but am not immune to weight gain.

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Sorry guys. I just asked bec I'm a new nurse and my BMI is 40. I know that there is an anti-discrimination act but I also heard that hospitals dont hire nurses like me. Ty God bless.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
It's only a matter of time before employers start penalizing us based on BMI much like they do now for tobacco :( I don't smoke but am not immune to weight gain.

Some already do- don't meet the 5 criteria set by my facility, and have to pay extra (okay, it's described as a discount if you meet all 5) for health insurance.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
PS: if we went by military standards, there would be a huge nursing shortage. A woman who is 5-7 and over 160 is considered overweight by military standards, which is usually the basis of height/weight/BMI charts.

Unfortunately there are plenty of military nurses who still fall out of regs! Ugh. Yet somehow it gets overlooked ... rank has its privileges (RHIP)!

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