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

I am 5'0 and like another poster said never had a problem except reaching for anything up high.....

Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

No height requirements in nursing, just have the goal of being a patient advocate at all times.

Specializes in SICU-MICU,Radiology,ER.

My first boss is 4'11".

Shes an excellent nurse. Not always easy to pair up with. I should have bought her a pair of platform shoes.

Make sure you know where your foot stool is. The unit Im on now has them all over. I even like them for codes-

11

my study buddy through nursing school was 4'8'' and she did just fine, I also work with a nurse who is around that height also, she does fine, she makes adjustments to what she needs to do and if she needs help she just asks.

I will never forget the nurse I worked with she had to be only 4.6 or so This lady nurse one time ,hopped up on the bed and did CPR on this guy ,she was totally amazeing with the compressions .She could put her all into it since she could be right on the bed .To the side of the PT. Awesome nurse I will never forget her.Her Pt care was great with the Pts .

Thank you all so much!!!!

This is really encouraging to me as I am in my last semester of pre-reqs and can apply to ADN program in the Fall.

I actually would love to end up working in the ER... I love the adrenaline flow, multi-tasking etc. Someone asked me what I would do in a code about compressions and I told them I probably would end up on the bed next to the patient too. Now I see that it's possible. I just hope remember to jump off if they have to shock them..... oooh that would hurt!:uhoh21:

Love the posts.... you guys are making my day!!!:)

Thanks and Hugs!

MaryRose

Specializes in M/S, OB, Ortho, ICU, Diabetes, QA/PI.

I worked one day where the staffing was me, one other RN, 2 LPN's, 2 CNA's and a Unit Clerk and I was the tallest at 5'3! I also know an awesome ER nurse who is only 4'10 and she worked as a nurse/paramedic for years (she fit best in the limited room in the back of an ambulance rig!!)

you'll be fine!!! go nuts!!!

Specializes in NICU.
I saw a special on Discovery Health a few years ago about "little people". In any case ONE of the featured individuals was an orthopedic surgeon (maybe four feet tall).

I saw that special - very interesting!!!

I'm 4'10" and work in NICU. It's a bit easier because I don't have heavy patients to lift or move. Sometimes if a baby is on a radiant warmer bed, I'll grab a stepstool because it's hard to get an overhead view of them at my height. And I'm always having people reach supplies from the top shelf. I get a lot of razzing, but it's all in love. I hope.

I saw that special - very interesting!!!

I'm 4'10" and work in NICU. It's a bit easier because I don't have heavy patients to lift or move. Sometimes if a baby is on a radiant warmer bed, I'll grab a stepstool because it's hard to get an overhead view of them at my height. And I'm always having people reach supplies from the top shelf. I get a lot of razzing, but it's all in love. I hope.

Nice to talk to a tiny like me! I am also considering NICU because of the lifting issue too. I figure one of the high adrenaline rotations will be perfect and I'll know during clinical rotations.

I get lots of razzing in school, and I love it! At our height we have to have a giant sense of humor!:chuckle

Thanks so much for posting. You all are great!

Hugs!

MaryRose

At my very first nursing job, I worked with a fellow new grad who was a little person. She was less than 4 feet tall. She did a GREAT job. She required a little more help with lifting than the normal staff person, because she was so short in stature, and she was a tiny slip of a thing. Besides that, though, she did a marvelous job adapting to an environment that did not adapt to her. I can't imagine how difficult it must be functioning in an environment where everything is designed for someone much taller.

Specializes in Geriatric, LTC, PC, home care, pediatric.

I'm only 5ft, and only problem I ever had was when I worked LTC, and people wouldn't put the beds back down in low position. Love peds (though not working now, back injury from slip and fall) and the kids love that I am close to their height! :coollook:

At my very first nursing job, I worked with a fellow new grad who was a little person. She was less than 4 feet tall. She did a GREAT job. She required a little more help with lifting than the normal staff person, because she was so short in stature, and she was a tiny slip of a thing. Besides that, though, she did a marvelous job adapting to an environment that did not adapt to her. I can't imagine how difficult it must be functioning in an environment where everything is designed for someone much taller.

Wow that is really amazing. I will certainly keep her in mind when I am faced with a challenge.

I guess it's all about the environment you are used to.... it just seems normal to look up for everything. Today I was on a stepstool cleaning and was about a foot off the ground... and I was thinking how easy everything would be to reach from this height. But then, everything low is easier for me to reach than others. Plus I don't have to bend as far to pick up things that drop! lol :chuckle

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