Am I too small to be a nurse?

Nurses General Nursing

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Long story short, I went for my nursing school physical this morning and the doctor said she has concern about my size. I'm 5'3" and 92 lbs with a bmi of 16. She still cleared me for the program but I'm hoping to find others in my shoes. She said she was worried that I couldn't meet the physical demands of nursing. I have three children and I have ALWAYS been small. I weighed 54lb in the fifth grade and function normally. I can lift 50 lbs and did well in CNA clinicals. I'm not letting it discourage me but it definitely got into my head a little bit. Thanks guys!

If you truly believe that we don't demonize overweight nurses, you haven't been reading AN for very long. Suggesting that overweight nurses shouldn't BE nurses seems to be the last bastion of bigotry.

People feel much more entitled to criticize "too thin" women to their faces as opposed to behind their backs. Both groups are criticized, though. There's no doubt about that.

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I have worked with a nurse who had congenital dwarfism. She was great! Last I checked "what is your height" is not a question on the NCLEX.

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Specializes in Med/Surge, Psych, LTC, Home Health.

I work with a nurse who is about 4'6. She obviously has some challenges but

for the most part does her job just as well as any of us. You will be fine.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

I am sorry she said that to you! I would find a new doctor and wouldn't trust her judgement anymore. that is crazy! You can be and do whatever you want, size doesn't matter! YOU WILL BE FINE!!!

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Lol her comment was unnecessary, especially if she cleared your physical, just look around; a majority of women in this generation are petite women. Especially in the health field.

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I'm on the small side and I've been known to hop in the bed to do effective compressions when no step stool can be found. :)

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

You guys are so awesome. I really do feel much better about the whole situation. I guess I'll mark that as a learning experience and make sure to go back to see that doc when I can sign RN behind my name ;).

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Do not let anyone's judgement get in to your head. As long as you are able to do your ADPIE with pure heartedness, then you will be a great nurse short or tall!

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I went to nursing school with a girl who was about the same size as you, a NP made almost exactly that same comment to her. Don't let it bother you, I can assure you, you will not be picking patients up and carrying them over your shoulder.

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Long story short, I went for my nursing school physical this morning and the doctor said she has concern about my size. I'm 5'3" and 92 lbs with a bmi of 16. She still cleared me for the program but I'm hoping to find others in my shoes. She said she was worried that I couldn't meet the physical demands of nursing. I have three children and I have ALWAYS been small. I weighed 54lb in the fifth grade and function normally. I can lift 50 lbs and did well in CNA clinicals. I'm not letting it discourage me but it definitely got into my head a little bit. Thanks guys!

I'm 5'1'', 100lbs with a BMI of 18.9 and I completely deliver the task assigned to me.

Don't let others tell you what you can't do. Don't let the limitations of others limit your vision. If you can remove your self-doubt and believe in yourself, you can achieve what you never thought possible.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Thanks everyone! I've submitted all of my paperwork and begin my nursing school journey in January! Only thing left to do is to buy my and books :).

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I just met a hospital RN who is about 3 feet tall. She uses stools and seems to get by just fine. I was wondering how she pulls people up in bed, but then I realized it is all just teamwork at the end of the day.

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