Can a short person be a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello Everyone!

I have an unusual question to ask regarding nursing.

I've wanted to be a nurse since I was in grade school. After high school, marriage and family obligations took over and I never was able to go. After my youngest son graduated from college last June, I decided it was finally my turn!

I am about half way finished with my pre-req's and will be eligible to apply to nursing school in about a year. Last summer, I took a CNA course and just fell in love with working with my residents....even the "unpleasant" tasks were no problem.

Okay here is my question...... has anyone ever encountered a height requirement for nursing school?? The reason I ask this is that I am a small person at 4'8". I had aboslutely no problem as a CNA and made sure to double up for lifts or use a mechanical lift (policy per resident home). Though small, I am evenly proportioned, have a rather large skeletal structure and am quite strong.

Originally, my plan was to get my LVN and then later go for my ADN. The school for LVN had no problems with my height nor did the facility I trained at to be a CNA. However, I decided I might just as well go for the RN right away. In Nursing School Orientation, nothing about height was mentioned and also there is no mention of a height requirement in the Nursing Handbook on-line.

My grades for my pre-req's have been good.... A's and B's except for one C in Political Science...... missed a B by 2 points! The college I will be applying to uses a lottery system because they are so impacted by applications.

I'm hesitating to speak to them directly about his too soon as I do not want to plant a seed of doubt regarding the issue.

Any insight in this area would be greatly appreciated. If you work with a short person, is there anything that comes to mind that they do to compensate for their short stature.

Thanks so much!!!

Hugs!

MaryRose

A question for you shorties.... how do you reach the IV poles. That is one thing I have kinda been worried about.

I guess I can always take along a stepstool, but am wondering can they be lowered?

Thanks,

MaryRose

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.

G'day MaryRose, I'm also one of life's gifts to the planet.... a SHORTIE!! :rotfl:

Here in Oz we have adjustable IV poles that you can alter the height, so I'm guessing you'd have them up/over there too.

The only negative, being short, in my experience as a nurse, has been being on the "short end of the stick" when it came to lifting. I'm talking in relation to the earlier days in my career. "Back in those days", we didn't have the advantage of "no lifting" policies as there is in todays nursing workforce. And more often than not, no machines either. I often lifted with another, taller, nurse, and ended up copping the load. Or, the lift was a disaster, lopsided etc.

All these years later, (I'm talking 37 years!!) :eek: :saint: I have a "back problem", (WHAT nurse doesn't??!!!)

I became very adept at scampering up shelves in order to reach things on the higher levels too! :nono: :chair: :uhoh3: Wasn't always the wisest thing to do. Glad most of the shelving was attached to the wall!

Overall though, being short hasn't really disadvantaged me too greatly either professionally or personally. It's just how I am, I've never known any different, and so I've always managed to find a way to still accomplish what I wanted/needed to.

BEST WISHES on your chosen career, and I wish you many many happy years in the profession of nursing.

Cheers....

Grace

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Specializes in NICU.
A question for you shorties.... how do you reach the IV poles. That is one thing I have kinda been worried about.

I guess I can always take along a stepstool, but am wondering can they be lowered?

Like I said above, usually people help me out a lot when I can't reach stuff. BUT when I'm taking down and putting up IVs, people LOOOOOVE to sit and watch me struggle. They're not being mean - they just LOOOOOOVE to see the kind of gymnastics I have to do in order to reach those high hooks. I'll step on stuff, like the bottom of the pole if it's on wheels. Or I'll tip the whole thing over so I can reach the top. Usually there's an adjustment knob on them to lower the hooks a little bit, so I can JUST reach them. One time, I wrestled with an IV pole for a good 2-3 minutes, eventually stepping on the bottom and jumping up so I could grab the top, then I hung on with one hand and hung the bag with the other, with my feet momentarily suspended in mid air, slam-dunk style.

A nearby coworker had tears in her eyes when I was done, and thanked me for the best laugh she'd had in weeks. :rotfl:

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I'm short, too, 5 ft and 1 and 1/2. Most problem I have is reaching stuff on shelves.

They sure didn't design anything in my facility with short people in mind.

They built some new medication cabinets for us, once, in the homes I have to go to, to deliver meds.

I made my request to be sure and place those cabinets low enough for me to reach,

and they did.

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Thank you all for your replies and helpful information.

In Phys we watched a movie last night which showed a MD and RN working with a patient in bed.

I began wondering if "shorties" ever have problems related to bedside care when assisting the MD??? :rolleyes:

Any issues I should be aware of in this area that I can compensate for in any special way?

Thanks a Bunch for all your help, you're wonderful to help me!:)

Hugs!

MaryRose

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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

I have worked in every phase of nursing in my 30 years, and I have had no more problem than I do putting my dishes away at home. I'm 5'1" a mother of 3 and Grandmother of 7 and now working as a private duty pediatric nurse in home. I would highly recomend working in peds. for people of our height, you a :) re much closer to the floor when they knock you down. It is only the size of your heart that matters not your body.

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I have worked in every phase of nursing in my 30 years, and I have had no more problem than I do putting my dishes away at home. I'm 5'1" a mother of 3 and Grandmother of 7 and now working as a private duty pediatric nurse in home. I would highly recomend working in peds. for people of our height, you a :) re much closer to the floor when they knock you down. It is only the size of your heart that matters not your body.

Thank you ! I am looking forward to my peds rotation..... I love children's hospital here. The staff seems to have a grand time too!:chuckle

Hugs!

MaryRose

MaryRose

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