Does an obese nurse set a bad example?

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  1. Does an obese nurse set a bad example?

    • 83
      yes
    • 48
      no

131 members have participated

I need some opinions about how you feel about the example an obese nurse sets to the patient and family. By obese I mean a BMI over 30. We were asked as a class to each post a question on a discussion forum. Thanks.

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

Moved to Nursing Student Assistance Forum, since this involves a student asking for help with a homework assignment.

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I understand the nurses point of view that outside does not reflect the level of competency or compassion. However, let's be realistic. From the patients point of view, they are going to be less likely to listen to health teaching from people that look like they are in the same boat. We lead by example in all aspects of life from home to work.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

How about a person who cleans houses for a living, and her own home is a mess?

Or the plumber with his own leaky pipes?

I could go on and on.....

NO ONE is perfect. Period.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

You could review the answers to the large number of threads already posted on that exact topic. There is a lot of data already on the BB regarding that issue.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

The people that will not diet because their nurse, MD, NP, etc. is overweight are generally for an excuse, any excuse not to change.They have only themselves to blame if they use that to not change, not the other person.

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According to many outstanding scientists, the BMI index has not been scientifically proven.

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If the obese nurse does her work effeciently she does not set a bad example. If she/he doesn't pitch in and do whatever needs to be done to get the patients satisfied that is a bad example (ie getting the reputation of sitting while ordering others to do simple tasks she could easily perform instead of sitting). Once weight is put on it is HARD to get off. Maybe an obese nurse in cardiac rehab would not be the best example.

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Specializes in peds-trach/vent.

i am a nurse. i am a slightly obese nurse. i can run circles around some of the thinner nurses at my job. there are are plenty of newer topics that can be debated. how about anorexic/bulimic nurses who are always in the bathroom when they are needed. i would rather work with an obese nurse than one always locked in the bathroom at work. people come in all shapes and sizes and nurses are entitled to do the same. just as high cholesterol can be hereditary, so can obesity. which can be cultural too. everyone wasnt raised on some european skinny diet, some of us were raised on beans, rice and biscuits. so instead of picking on people who probably weigh more than you for whatever reason. next time,you should take some time and put more thought into picking a more relavent/less shallow topic to discuss.

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Specializes in LTC.
how about anorexic/bulimic nurses who are always in the bathroom when they are needed. i would rather work with an obese nurse than one always locked in the bathroom at work.

I don't think I've ever had this problem... O.o

Our facility is currently in the middle of a "Biggest Loser" contest where everyone pitches money in, and the winner gets the pot. Not bad, and the participating nurses are really pumped about the weigh-ins.

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Specializes in peds-trach/vent.

lynx25 says "I don't think I've ever had this problem... O.o"

i have. we dealt with it at work for years.

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Specializes in LTC.

I have seen obese nurses treat patients with the utmost respect because they know what it feels like to not have any respect towards them because they are obese. I have seen slender nurses being very rude to patients because they have no idea how to reach out to them because they have never been in that vulnerable position. I am not saying "all" I am just saying.....

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What weight/size is considered obese? People automatically assume thin people are generally healthy. Well, I'm 5'5,110 pounds, look like I have worked out my whole life and I even have a 6 pack to prove that lie. Get this, I can barely make it up a full flight of stairs with out losing my breath. I consume too much sugar and salt in one day. I eat like a MAN but it's usually junk food and I don't work out at all. My bff who is the same height but 147 pounds can speed walk on a treadmill for a straight hr. I lose my breath after 5 mins! I'm going to see a nutritionist next week and hope to get on a healthy track. You don't have to be obese to be unhealthy or have bad eating habits. One thing I know about myself is that my small size and figure has given me the illusion that I was healthy for years. I have been in what i call "skinny denial" for way too long.

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