How do Nurse Educators View Overweight/Obese Students?

Specialties Educators

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Specializes in SICU, ER, MEDICAL.

Hello,

Just wanted to know how Nurse Educators look at overweight/ obese students in their program? Are they viewed as less favorable students because of their weight? Also do you feel that these students are less likely to do well in nursing school because of their weight? I am a overweight student who is slated to start clinicals in August. I am concerned that my weight my cause me issues with my teachers. I am steadfast in my attempts to reduce my weight and I currently have no health problems but I still am around 300 lbs. I want so badly to become a nurse :imbar

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
Hello,

Just wanted to know how Nurse Educators look at overweight/ obese students in their program? Are they viewed as less favorable students because of their weight? Also do you feel that these students are less likely to do well in nursing school because of their weight? I am a overweight student who is slated to start clinicals in August. I am concerned that my weight my cause me issues with my teachers. I am steadfast in my attempts to reduce my weight and I currently have no health problems but I still am around 300 lbs. I want so badly to become a nurse :imbar

As long as a student is able to perform in clinical and the student appears neat and professional, obesity should not be an issue. However, it is an unfortunate fact in our society that prejudice towards overweight people (especially overweight females) is prevalent. Most overweight individuals endure daily snide remarks, rude looks, "fat jokes" in the media, being looked over for promotions, and almost endless subtle and not-so-subtle forms of rejection. Although I cannot speak for every nursing program, in our program we would not discriminate. Actually, many of the instructors in our program have serious problems with obesity, so we would be the last to point the finger.

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Well said Vicky,

I know that during education many lectures often teach what is not always clearly evident by observation. For example we all learn about cancer, lung problems and heart problems and the associated links to smoking - but it is amazing how many nurses (including nurse educators) you see smoking. Weight issues are the same in my view, and I am one of a quilty party that is significantly overweight (I have been up to 40kgs over weight - that's nearly 90 pounds). I realised that I was being exptremely hypocritical thinking that I could try and teach about health and yet not be healthy. I have started to try and fix my own weight problem - but being overweight does not stop me being a good nurse.

There is only one type of ituation in which weight would be an issue if you where a nurse - if you where trying to teach a patient about weight control they may be less likely to listen to you if you had a significant weight issue. Mind you slim, taught and terrific nurses may get the reaction of - 'what do you know - you've never been fat to know what you are talking about.'

I would challenge you to take up nursing whole heartedly and at the same tim e- as you are undoubtedly doing - continue to try and overcome your weight issue.

Cheers

pmchap

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Specializes in SICU, ER, MEDICAL.

Thank you VickyRN and pmchap for your responses. I am going to join a local cruves establishment this week :) I am looking forward to that. I am doing very good in all my pre nursing classes and so eager to start the actual nursing classes. This information was very helpful to me and has made me feel better.

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Specializes in SICU, ER, MEDICAL.

Thank you VickyRN and pmchap for your responses. I am going to join a local cruves establishment this week :) I am looking forward to that. I am doing very good in all my pre nursing classes and so eager to start the actual nursing classes. This information was very helpful to me and has made me feel better.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
Thank you VickyRN and pmchap for your responses. I am going to join a local cruves establishment this week :) I am looking forward to that. I am doing very good in all my pre nursing classes and so eager to start the actual nursing classes. This information was very helpful to me and has made me feel better.

Great!!! Best wishes with your future career and don't hesitate to write again if we can be of any assistance :)

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
Thank you VickyRN and pmchap for your responses. I am going to join a local cruves establishment this week :) I am looking forward to that. I am doing very good in all my pre nursing classes and so eager to start the actual nursing classes. This information was very helpful to me and has made me feel better.

Great!!! Best wishes with your future career and don't hesitate to write again if we can be of any assistance :)

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All the best....

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Thank you VickyRN and pmchap for your responses. I am going to join a local cruves establishment this week :) I am looking forward to that. I am doing very good in all my pre nursing classes and so eager to start the actual nursing classes. This information was very helpful to me and has made me feel better.

Good for you! I myself joined Curves a few months ago and although weight is not falling off of me (I haven't really changed my eating habits) I AM feeling much better. Exercise is a wonderful way to make you feel emotionally and physically healthier. And it isn't terribly boring at Curves in my opinion.

Good luck and have fun in nursing school!

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