Can a short person be a nurse?

HannasMom · Feb 22, 2004

I'm short. I'm 5' 2". And I'm a nurse. We have a stool so us shorties can reach the tall shelves. Also the CNA on my shift is tall, so she often reaches things for me, if she is nearby. :nurse:

Sadie04 · Feb 22, 2004

Hi, I'm not very big myself (5'1" and weigh 105) and I work with a nurse who is 4'8" on a heavy lifting unit (lots of transfers); we both are usually on the side that pushing onto the stretcher/bed rather than pulling (short arms!) and sometimes need help reaching supplies on high shelves, but so far it hasn't been a problem, we have great teamwork on our unit. I wouldn't worry about being short, good things come in small packages :chuckle

MryRose · Feb 22, 2004

Wow! It's very inspiring to to hear these stories of success. I've always felt blessed with my short stature and have never met a challenge that I couldn't acheive if I truly wanted to.

I've always found a way to work around my limitations. Like when some friends were testing out a new 650 motocross bike that was nearly taller than me. I just rode like the trick horseriders did... stand alongside it.... and hopped on as it accelerated and then hopped off to the side as I came to a stop. Never dropped the bike and it was such a fun ride! lol I used to be more of a thrill seeker in my younger days... I raced dunebuggies and rode dirt bikes... ahh youth! lol

Anyway, I'm heading full steam into my dream and appreciate your comments and info. My friends and fellow students tell me my enthusiasm makes me at least a foot taller...hee hee hee. It's nice to know that there are a lot of other successful "shorties" already Nursing. I can hardly wait to join you!

Hugs!

MaryRose

zenman · Feb 22, 2004

Here in Hawaii there are a lot of Asian nurses...most are short!

TweetiePieRN · Feb 23, 2004

Thank you so much for your quick replys! I am quite relieved to know that there are other "shorties" out there doing well. I am so excited!
I still want to know if anyone has encountered any problems with shorties and patient care.... I'd like to find ways to work around any issues beforehand. I'm known at school as the "researcher" lol..... always prepared.
Again, Thanks a bunch for your time and kindness.
Hugs!
MaryRose

Mary rose, I am from central cali and am 4'11". My nursing program did NOT have a height requirement...they just wanted us to pass the physical exam. What school will you be attending? I almost forgot to tell you...I work at a hospital now as a CNA and all the nurses and aids that work evening shift with me...we call ourselves the shorties....3 of us are 4'11" ... a couple of us are a bit over 5 foot. But, all are great at what we do!

MryRose · Feb 23, 2004

Hi Tweetie Pie!! I see you are from Roseville CA, area... I'm a bit south of ya in the Fresno CA area. I will be attending Fresno City College in Fall of 2005 (Boy does that sound like a loooong time away!!)

Are you still in school??? I see you are working as a CNA right now. My great friend, Jamey, is working as a CNA while she is completing her pre-req's now as well. We met thru the CNA course we did thru Beverly Health Care here in Fresno. I don't know how she does it tho!! The Noct hours AND studies! Wheewwww too much for me. Being a full time student is a big enough job for me at the moment!

When I started my journey into nursing, I originally had thought to become an LVN as the ADN program is done by lottery here. I figured I could get to patient care more quickly by that route. So that's why I took the CNA course, it was a pre-req for the LVN program. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to continue after 2/3's of completion as I had a severe alergic reaction to an antibiotic for an ear infection.

It was one of those wierd moments in life..... my instructor had a death in her family and was not there on that particular day.... I went to clinical anyway.... sicker than a dog, but I went. The temp instructor said I was too sick to be there and insisted that I go home (I did not want to, mind you, and explained that I was not allowed to miss a day during this clinical) ..... and the kicker is, because of her decision to make me leave, I was automatically removed from the program. I contacted the program office and they told me I should not have left!!! What on earth could I do? By the time my real instructor came back from leave (5 days later) it was too late, I had missed too much to be allowed to continue. She was soooooooooo mad! Not at me, but at her temp replacement. I was making an A in the class and the LTC at clinicals was already wanting to know my plans after the course.

Anyway.... I truly believe that all things happen for a reason. The LVN director and I met and she rold me that I really should just go for the ADN right away. The several classes I had taken while there were all straight A's and she felt I had "the gift" as she said. Soooo... here I am ... smack dab in the middle of my pre-req's ... this time for the ADN program.

Sorry to be sooo long winded.... and why I even shared that tidbit in this thread is a question I will pose to myself once I've had coffee this am...lol...

Just a little info on me I guess!

Hey TweetiePie.... let me know of any "short tricks" of the trade! My hubby has been joking that I should get a long pair of "tongs" to clip on my belt to use for "reachers" lol..... The mental image of me walking down the hall with long tongs swinging back and forth from my waist just cracks me up...lol. Please tell me that's not necessary! hee hee

Nice meeting you!

HUGS!

MaryRose

mattsmom81 · Feb 25, 2004

My shortie coworkers utilize the stepstools we have around the unit to reach the monitors, etc. or they ask one of the taller nurses if it's a one time reach. The shorter ones team up for turns and lifts to avoid a lopsided move that may injure one of the nurses. No real problems that can't be managed by teamwork. Being tall in some ways can predispose nurses to back and neck strain I've decided...bending over patients and beds all the time must be a repetitive stress. Since I'm tall I feel this may be true.

Good luck and best wishes in your career!! :)

purplemania, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2004

Our VP of nursing is not 5 ft. tall

TweetiePieRN · Feb 26, 2004

Hi Tweetie Pie!! I see you are from Roseville CA, area... I'm a bit south of ya in the Fresno CA area. I will be attending Fresno City College in Fall of 2005 (Boy does that sound like a loooong time away!!)
Are you still in school??? I see you are working as a CNA right now. My great friend, Jamey, is working as a CNA while she is completing her pre-req's now as well. We met thru the CNA course we did thru Beverly Health Care here in Fresno. I don't know how she does it tho!! The Noct hours AND studies! Wheewwww too much for me. Being a full time student is a big enough job for me at the moment!
When I started my journey into nursing, I originally had thought to become an LVN as the ADN program is done by lottery here. I figured I could get to patient care more quickly by that route. So that's why I took the CNA course, it was a pre-req for the LVN program. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to continue after 2/3's of completion as I had a severe alergic reaction to an antibiotic for an ear infection.
It was one of those wierd moments in life..... my instructor had a death in her family and was not there on that particular day.... I went to clinical anyway.... sicker than a dog, but I went. The temp instructor said I was too sick to be there and insisted that I go home (I did not want to, mind you, and explained that I was not allowed to miss a day during this clinical) ..... and the kicker is, because of her decision to make me leave, I was automatically removed from the program. I contacted the program office and they told me I should not have left!!! What on earth could I do? By the time my real instructor came back from leave (5 days later) it was too late, I had missed too much to be allowed to continue. She was soooooooooo mad! Not at me, but at her temp replacement. I was making an A in the class and the LTC at clinicals was already wanting to know my plans after the course.
Anyway.... I truly believe that all things happen for a reason. The LVN director and I met and she rold me that I really should just go for the ADN right away. The several classes I had taken while there were all straight A's and she felt I had "the gift" as she said. Soooo... here I am ... smack dab in the middle of my pre-req's ... this time for the ADN program.
Sorry to be sooo long winded.... and why I even shared that tidbit in this thread is a question I will pose to myself once I've had coffee this am...lol...
Just a little info on me I guess!
Hey TweetiePie.... let me know of any "short tricks" of the trade! My hubby has been joking that I should get a long pair of "tongs" to clip on my belt to use for "reachers" lol..... The mental image of me walking down the hall with long tongs swinging back and forth from my waist just cracks me up...lol. Please tell me that's not necessary! hee hee
Nice meeting you!
HUGS!
MaryRose

Nice to meet you too!! I used to live in Turlock and Patterson. I have a cousin who lives in Fresno and another cousin who attended Fresno State. Small World! Literally, for us!! hahaha.

Yes, I am still in school. I graduate this May from my ADN program up here in Roseville. I go to Sierra College. I found out a couple weeks ago that our school is 1 of 99 nursing schools in california. Last year our school had a 100% pass rate on the NClex!! Our school also had a lottery system in place. I luckily got in on the first try! Very rare to get in like that up here due to the many people trying to get into nursing. I cannot wait to finally be done with school! Currently working as a CNA in a wonderful hospital..I will be working as an RN there upon graduation, and will be in the same dept!! I am very glad about this since I know EVERYONE there already.

In regards to my height, I will wear nursing shoes similar to clogs, they add about 2 or more inches to my height. We do have stepping stools to use if we need them too. Most of our tools/meds, etc are at an acceptable height so we can reach them without the stool. Our IV poles are adjustable so you can make it adjust to a height that suits you. Our hospital is "short people friendly". I can't think of a time when I felt like my height was a disadvantage. Good luck to you in your quest to become an RN and have a great weeK!!

MryRose · Feb 26, 2004

Nice to meet you too!! I used to live in Turlock and Patterson. I have a cousin who lives in Fresno and another cousin who attended Fresno State. Small World! Literally, for us!! hahaha.
Yes, I am still in school. I graduate this May from my ADN program up here in Roseville. I go to Sierra College. I found out a couple weeks ago that our school is 1 of 99 nursing schools in california. Last year our school had a 100% pass rate on the NClex!! Our school also had a lottery system in place. I luckily got in on the first try! Very rare to get in like that up here due to the many people trying to get into nursing. I cannot wait to finally be done with school! Currently working as a CNA in a wonderful hospital..I will be working as an RN there upon graduation, and will be in the same dept!! I am very glad about this since I know EVERYONE there already.
In regards to my height, I will wear nursing shoes similar to clogs, they add about 2 or more inches to my height. We do have stepping stools to use if we need them too. Most of our tools/meds, etc are at an acceptable height so we can reach them without the stool. Our IV poles are adjustable so you can make it adjust to a height that suits you. Our hospital is "short people friendly". I can't think of a time when I felt like my height was a disadvantage. Good luck to you in your quest to become an RN and have a great weeK!!

Wow... it's almost May already! I am so happy for you!

You really have a great head start for your new RN position knowing the facility and staff already. Thanks for all the info regarding height and working.... it's really encouraging to know that it can be handled without problems.

I am really going to be Praying that I get in on my first lottery drawing when the time comes. The only good thing about it being done that way, is that I am guaranteed a position by the 4th try (as long as I meet all the requirements). But at 44, I already feel like I waited a lifetime to do it. But I do know that in any case, I will get to realize my dreams eventually.

Thanks for taking the time to reply as I know you must REALLY be busy at this time.

HUGS!

MaryRose

mackrn · Feb 25, 2005

I have the opposite problem, being 6'1" and 270 lbs. In addition to whacking my head on the traction all the time, when I work with my co-workers doing dressing changes end up with a back ache as can't raise the bed high enough for me to be comfortable and still have them be able to reach the patient. When I first walk into a hospital the first question is "do you want to work, ortho, neuro, rehab or the ER?" And most of the patients would rather have someone with smaller delicate hands doing some of the required nursing procedures (although do get a lot of compliments on my ability to decrease the pain in the injections and dressing changes that do on a daily basis.

Another benefit of being smaller is the statistical fact that smaller people have the potential to life longer due to decrease stress on the cardiac, vascular and musculoskeletal systems.

MryRose · Feb 25, 2005

I have the opposite problem, being 6'1" and 270 lbs. In addition to whacking my head on the traction all the time, when I work with my co-workers doing dressing changes end up with a back ache as can't raise the bed high enough for me to be comfortable and still have them be able to reach the patient. When I first walk into a hospital the first question is "do you want to work, ortho, neuro, rehab or the ER?" And most of the patients would rather have someone with smaller delicate hands doing some of the required nursing procedures (although do get a lot of compliments on my ability to decrease the pain in the injections and dressing changes that do on a daily basis.
Another benefit of being smaller is the statistical fact that smaller people have the potential to life longer due to decrease stress on the cardiac, vascular and musculoskeletal systems.

Hi Mack!

Wow.... it's been a year since i started this thread and was surprised to see it surface. I'm now in my last semester of pre-req's and will see real soon if I get into nursing school quickly.

I guess the less than average size people have both advantages and disadvanatges alike. Hopefully, we will have lots of nice co-workers who will be on the other end of the spectrum to help us! lol:chuckle

I won't mind the "low" jobs if you can get the "high" ones okay? ! lol

Hugs!

MaryRose