Extremely Overweight Nurses

Published

I've been seeing a lot of obese nurses lately. In my opinion it's not setting the right example,not is it SAFE. If someone codes or there's a fire a nurses who is huge can't run to get to/from the emergency. Another example ... CPR ! It's exhausting,if you're not fit to do it...should that patient pay the price? It's so hypocritical. I understand with long shifts and not much sleep... Gaining weight is extremely easy to do. However,choosing healthy food options ( not vending machines and pepsis) and staying active even on your days off is important.

The end

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
As a 2009 high-school graduate she will (hopefully) have a long time to figure that out... though hopefully it will dawn upon her much sooner.[/quote']

:yes:

Yep. She's young, inexperienced, not a nurse yet, new to allnurses ... I guess we should give her a chance to "grow up" before we criticize her too harshly.

Someday, she'll have the aches and pains of orthopedic stress ... along with the other physicial imperfections associated with a longer life. And maybe then she will understand -- she will know that she is still valuable to society -- not just in spite of those physicial problems, but because of them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

She may be young and inexperienced but she should not be unfamiliar with discrimination....whether that discrimination is due to weight, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or age.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D; Post-Op Med/Surg.

I'm assuming you are trying to cause irritation on purpose because that was a particularly nasty comment you made. If you were not; however, and that was your true ignorance then allow me to enlighten you on something great you may miss out on due to your prejudice. I am an RN with only one year experience thus far.

One of the nurses I have had the privilege to work with, who has been a nurse for 15 years and is obese, taught me great time-management on an intensely busy post-op Med/Surg unit when nothing else was working and I was at my wits end. Her experience and knowledge level prevents her from having to run around like an inexperienced nurse does. A patient would be the worse off for having you as their nurse over her!

Another nurse, one of my charge nurses, was overweight as well. She has been a nurse for 20 years and gives advice to some MD's as she is that intelligent. She is a fantastic teacher, and for a new nurse you will learn just how valuable that is! I have told her, and my Director, that with how crazy busy that unit is that if it were not for her I would have quit nursing all together! I cannot tell you how much I have learned from her.

With the viewpoint you have you will discredit other nurses abilities and capabilities in the beginning and you are going to severely lose out in that process. I am hoping you will change your mind on this because you will be a much better nurse in the end because of it! Also ask yourself will you treat your patients differently because they have diseases and conditions that could have been prevented? And let me tell you there is no shortage of those!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

That WAS the point of this thread, wasn't it???

:whistling:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
That WAS the point of this thread, wasn't it???

:whistling:

I'm assuming so.:blink:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
She may be young and inexperienced but she should not be unfamiliar with discrimination....whether that discrimination is due to weight, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or age.

Actually, it's only illegal to discriminate on the basis of weight in Michigan, Washington DC, San Franscisco and Santa Cruz.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Personally speaking, I care for so many others that I often do not have time to care for myself. I work full time, I am in school full time, and I have a three year old, a husband, and a fluffy dog that requires walks. Although I'm not "obese" I am "overweight". I eat what's convenient and I don't even get three meals a day. That being said.. I'm near 30 and don't give a flying crap about what someone thinks about my weight. If you don't like it, don't look, and if you're upset by something so trivial, you're going into the wrong field.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Not sure why people are so defensive on this subject. I think the OP has some valid points. She was not talking about the just overweight or even moderately overweight, the topic is Extremely overweight nurses. They exist, they are possibly OHs hazards, if only to themselves. They are not good role models and health professionals should model the behaviour they wish to encourage. Physios and other allied health staff manage it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Public Health, TB.

Oh, thank you OP for the advice. I thought my weight was related to genetics, hormones, stress and elevated cortisol levels, irregular meal times and my antidepressant. I just to need to eat healthier and all my poundage will melt away!

No wait, I can't remember the last time I used a vending machine and I don't drink soda. I am at the gym 3 times a week and religiously take the stairs.

Hmmmm, what could it be?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Addictions, Geriatrics.

Actually, it's only illegal to discriminate on the basis of weight in Michigan, Washington DC, San Franscisco and Santa Cruz.

It might only be illegal to be discriminatory in those states, but its rude and unprofessional everywhere.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Actually, it's only illegal to discriminate on the basis of weight in Michigan, Washington DC, San Franscisco and Santa Cruz.

Just because it isn't "the law" ......doesn't mean it isn't discrimination.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion