Being a Big Guy

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · Jan 20, 2008

*Note this is coming from a patient*

I may be nervous at first at your size. I am 4' 10" so you would be tremendously bigger then me. If however you showed yourself to be a caring competent nurse I then would be fine.

locolorenzo22, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2008

I've got a view on this...I'm not that big...but at 6'1" and 240 lbs....I tend to be used for lifting/moving/getting those confused older ladies and men...I worked in the ICU last night, and my back is sore...I wound up doing more lifting...and even on a guy bigger than me! So, 2 nurses on one side, and just me on the other....so you've got to guard against that. I'm a tech, so lifting is part of my job description...but when I'm a nurse, I have no problem lifting once in a while, it's lifting 10 of 13 patients that makes you sore.

I have had maybe 3-4 patients ask for female aides....and 1-2 of those were just females for when they needed to use the bathroom, otherwise they were ok with me.....I work with a big guy nurse and between the two of us, we usually are able to keep confused patients under control.....It'll be alright, if you show that you really want to be there....most patients understand.....good luck on the education....

EmmaG, RN · Jan 20, 2008

You will soon find out that being big means that you will constantly be called upon to help turn patients to the point that it will be hard to get your own work done!
I had a preceptor who was a strong guy, and they would call him down from our unit to help move huge patient in the ED....well, this guy wound up with a HERNIA!
Please be careful; you will automatically be expected to go above and beyond the call of duty in moving heavy patients, and there won't be much you can do about it, so PLEASE watch out for your back, and use good mechanics as much as you are able, or you may wind up with a back problem. :pumpiron:

Exactly. Size and gender doesn't matter. Anyone can injure their back lifting any weight if it's done incorrectly (or simply by bending and turning 'wrong', as I noted in another post). Oh, and keep in mind that most bad backs in nursing are due to cumulative effects and abuse over years of stress.

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · Jan 20, 2008

I think the big guys are only intimidating when they want to be.

Years ago when I was doing my psych rotation, the unit I was on had a really big male tech. I'm thinking 6'5" or 6'6" and built to match. I remember being told that when a patient started acting out, all he had to do was walk into the room and almost all of them calmed right down!! Needless to say all of the students wanted to be with him!!

I think the size would only be intimidating if you needed to be intimidated; personally, I'd feel quite safe.

MurseHopeful · Jan 20, 2008

Thanks for all the replies. It is good to know that size doesn't reflect badly. I get looks on the street because of my size, because of the way I am built, I look bigger than I really am. I don't mind being the "workhorse", but I hope it doesn't hurt my opportunities tp advance and be taken seriously.

MH

zenman · Jan 21, 2008

I think the big guys are only intimidating when they want to be.
Years ago when I was doing my psych rotation, the unit I was on had a really big male tech.
.

I had a male mental health tech once who was a bodybuilder. He bear hugged a kid once... perhaps too hard...who was going berserk. The kid threw up...and it took the fight out of him, lol.

I'm 6'3" 230 pounds and never had a problem

kettstunurse · Jan 21, 2008

I am graduating in April of 2008 with my Associates in nursing. I currently work in a LTC facility. I am 6' and 200 lbs, not huge but bigger than the women I work with, and I get called to help lift, move, turn and otherwise do a lot of "man"ual labor. I don't mind helping but there are a lot of times when I can't do my own work because of the constant requests to help someone else.

Overland1, RN · Jan 21, 2008

I don't see a problem with your size. In fact, a lot of guys get annoyed at being SO welcome. You're wonderful at transferring.

Just remember to watch your back safety techniques when transferring that patient. Large people tend to bend over more and can be injured.

Tip: When dealing with a patient who is seated in a chair or in bed, bring in a chair or stool and be seated as well. That makes the patient more comfortable, partially because they do not have to strain to look up.

Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2008

nurses come in all shapes and sizes. :)

Penny8611 · Jan 21, 2008

I was with my Mom while they were prepping her for a knee replacement. She has the veins from hell...often they have to call someone from pediatrics just to find them. I knew the nurse wasn't going to be able to set her IV...she just had that very timid, "I don't think I can do this," demeanor. After three tries I nicely told her that we needed to get someone else in there. She readily agreed and called.

In walked Bubba the Biker Nurse. He was HUGE. He had a bandana tied around his bald head. He nodded to my Mom and rumbled, "Ma'am." I said, "You're gonna hit her on the first try, aren't you?" He said, "Yes, Ma'am." He barely felt around on her arm, and just went for it. Bam. First try.

I've never forgotten him. He was an angel. A really huge angel, but an angel. ;-)

Good luck and Godspeed!!!!

lvmama · Jan 21, 2008

I have to say, that from a patients perspective, I appreciate a larger guy versus a teeny little woman too. I'm a big girl, and one thing that scared me to death when I had my second child (and a c-section) was being moved when I had absolutely no feeling in my entire body. They brought in this really big guy who helped them move me and he was SOOO sweet. Of course, my hubby is a big guy, so maybe I'm just partial to that "type" anyway...