Fat Lpn Student

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

Published

Yes I know... Just let it go. But after school is over - long 8 hour days and your main worry should be about books and studying I have one extra load. Dreading the next day of school.

Why did I think fellow nursing students would be better than average everyday people? They are not, in fact probally worse, yes I'am fat not a "little" fat, I weigh 300 pounds. I'am treated with disgust by the other students and the 2 teachers. When classes first started this quarter and this is my first quarter of nursing classes, no one would sit by me, it was really embarassing. I've made "friends" in all my prereq classes no problem and those classrooms were one fourth the size of this room. About a week and a half went by and I decided to seek out somebody to sit by, just having a conversation with a few of the people in the room. I now sit with a group of 3 girls that seem to include me fairly well, but not at first. I felt the usual "fat" person disease routine but after several days of acting like a human, they decided I must be... human that is.

Today something happened that has been bothering me, I really don't look for problems and usually brush off the rudest of comments, but one of my teachers is always talking to me in a demeanor way. And it not just her way of talking, I watch how she talks to others and she doesn't act that way. She encourages us to ask questions or add anything we would like to lecture at any time, for the first time I did today... not really trusting her because of the way she is with me. After I said my little story she made a comment "Now that was hardly wasting our time about." People share everything and anything and she has never said that to anybody else. I'am so use to it that I don't have a tear to shed for my own raw emotion to protect my insides anymore. I've been beaten down so bad that there isn't too many words or statements that could get me. But I have to admit sitting here tonight trying to do some reading for class, I'am not enthused as usual, she did kick me down a bit. A nursing teacher, somebody that I'am trying so hard to respect for her insight and knowledge rip out some of them feelings all overweight people feel when judged so harshly. Yes I could go on a diet, I did not get fat by overeating, I was sick for a period of 2 years and bedridden, few pounds already on a few more here and there, I've had a hard time getting well. Now I am healthy, except for the weight and I almost died but I survived the odds.

Why can't they see a person inside of me?:cry::crying2::angryfire:madface:

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Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

I'm sorry that you've been experiencing that attitude from people around you in school.

I'm sure that you amount to more than what meets the eye, and it's hard to defend yourself when the person to whom you are trying to defend yourself to holds so much power to 'make or break' you in nursing.

Don't give up asking questions in class. This is one way that you can learn and get clarification.

Chances are that if you're wondering about something, there are at least two or three other people who are wondering about the same thing.

Hang in there.

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Some people treat other people badly, for varieties of reasons. It is not exclusive to weight. Try not to wear your heart on your sleeve, because nursing is a high stress environment and people pop off and snap for some really small reasons sometimes. If people don't like you it is their problem, not yours! Choose to be happy and be yourself, and friends and good times will surely follow!!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

((((MerrieCNA)))), I am so sorry you are going through this. I truly believe that prejudice against overweight people is one of the last remaining socially acceptable prejudices. I do not have any advice for you, other than keep your head up and try not to let them defeat you. From my experience (was around 280 in nursing school and when I started out nursing), your patients will not judge you harshly. Just try to become the best nurse you can be and to heck with the naysayers.

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Specializes in LTC.

Sorry you are going through this. Its sickening to know how people can discriminate against race, weight, appearance, and etc. Please keep your head up and your eyes on the prize. Right now you feel hurt, and disriminated against. Its not fair ! Just keep going and don't let negativity stand in your way.

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Specializes in Rehabilitation; LTC; Med-Surg.

Sorry you are going through this! You would think a nursing instructor - most who have at least a BSN - would understand that there are medical reasons for a person being overweight and obese. Don't feel "less" than anyone else. I'll take a fat nurse that cares about my health and is a pro at assessments over a skinny, rigid nurse who has a stick up his/her butt ANY day of the week!

In the end, it's about how you care for patients. Weight can be controlled and modified, but your heart can't. Ok, ok, maybe your heart CAN be modified, but just go with me on this one. ;-)

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

sorry you are dealing with people acting so foolishly. i know it's hard to learn in such a hostile environment, and unfortunately enough, alot of nursing students act like children at recess.

my best friend in nursing school weighed over 300 lbs and she is just as sweet as could be, smart, funny, just a lovely person... we met the first day of class and clicked instantly... but at first no one else gave her a chance... until they wanted her notes. she has a metabolic disorder that caused her to put on weight starting at a young age, so she was so used to being picked on i think, she gave them away, and put up with them snickering and snoodering behind her back and making wise cracks about her weight in class all the time. i was not having any of that....i might be small, but i'm scrappy, and no one bothered her once i got done with them.

stay focused on the goal at hand. i made two friends in nursing school and that was it. i was too busy studying and working on projects and papers and doing case studies to care about all the drama going on. you are there for YOU and only YOU to become a nurse. who cares what those clowns do? study hard, learn all you can, and prove everyone wrong.

perhaps it's best if you keep away from these people, becuase their attitudes are toxic. those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind. remember that.

best of luck to you. :)

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Specializes in Elder Care.

I am sorry your instructors and class mates are making you feel bad please dont let them discourage you I weigh 400+ pounds and I completed my LVN classes in January I got the brush off a lot as well it was so bad I would raise my hand to ask a question and I would be ignored that the girl in front of me actually raised her hand and when she got notice immediately she stated loud and clear She wants to ask a question .... My class mates were all friendly I was was by far the fattest and oldest but we got along.

Show them wrong size doesnt matter when it come to compassion and caring You will be a awesome nurse

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Hey,

That is really sad how nurses and future nurses are treating you that way. These are people who are supposed to be understanding and compassionate, not to forget that they should have more knowledge as to the causes of weight is not always over-eating. I give you so much respect that you have stayed strong thus far. Just focus on your studies, come out with flying colors, prove to them (especially the teachers) that a few glares and unfair judgments are not going to stop you from achieving your goals. What you are going through is hard right now, but it will only make you a stronger person and better nurse. =)

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I am so sorry you are being discriminated against because of your weight. If I were in your class, I'd sit by you:redpinkhe. Like the others said, try to keep your head up, just focus on your studies and dont give any importance to the mean students or instructors. I know, easier said than done. I have found in life, it usually works pretty well to "kill em with kindness". I hope things start looking up for you!!!

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Sometimes people suck! Just keep reminding yourself that she is just a bump in your road to success and don't let her, or any of the other students, knock you off your path. Even though I know it feels like everyone may be looking down on you, just know that there are so many people out there who don't care about the outside and can see the beauty inside. The worst thing is that rudeness can sometimes be contagious, so even the students that don't feel that way, will act poorly toward you because that is what everyone else is doing. Just know that they will be nurses that don't stand out and blend into the pack, but you will come out of this stronger than you went in, and that inner strength will be apparent to your patients and all those who meet you. Keep your head up and don't let anyone make you feel like you are less than they are, because in my opinion, they are far less than you.

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I'm sorry you are experiencing this. I, myself, am an overweight LPN student - About 275 lbs. currently. Luckily, I have not experienced any remarks or discrimination by anyone or any instructor. In fact I've made many friends right off the bat, which is not something that EVER came easy to me growing up! I too have just about heard it all and have been beaten down by discrimination and hatred toward obesity. In nursing school (or any school) the most important thing is to focus on studies and just get through it, and like the poster above me said - kill 'em with kindness!! Don't stoop to their level, ever. Don't give them a reason to be unkind to you and maybe they will see how foolish they really are. I hope everything turns out okay :) Good luck hun!

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