Have you ever felt discriminated against because of your weight?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Do you think you've been passed over for a job or not been advanced because you are overweight?:mad:

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

No, I do not feel any blatant discrimination due to my weight.

However, keep in mind that I live and work in Texas. Since everything (and everyone) is bigger in Texas, an overweight or obese employee in this particular region is going to be the norm and not the exception.

Specializes in NICU.
No, I do not feel any blatant discrimination due to my weight.

However, keep in mind that I live and work in Texas. Since everything (and everyone) is bigger in Texas, an overweight or obese employee in this particular region is going to be the norm and not the exception.

Haha commuter, I'm a Texan too and sometimes I feel discriminated for not being overweight lol.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Nope.

Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.

Not so much discriminated against. I have had new diagnosis diabetics tell me I should not be giving education on diabetic diets though. But I didn't feel this was "discrimination" because, had it been a skinny nurse giving the same education, it would not have been received any better. They just would have had to try harder to come up with a wise crack about it is all.

I'm sure it happens. If you're deciding between to candidates with equal exp, and all other qualifications are equal, would you hire the fit person or fat person? You would prob go with the fit right? Fat people generally have some sort of discipline issue, they have something causing them to be overweight. I'm talking the big big people, like myself, not just 20 lbs overweight.

I'm 270, 5'11... Would it suck to be discriminated against? Yes. Do I understand the discrimination? Yep! That's why I'm trying very hard to instill discipline in myself and get rid of my awful habits.

Good Luck,

Vae Victis

Specializes in MDS RNAC, LTC, Psych, LTAC.

I dont think so and in my career so far I only had one patient ever remark on my weight . That hurt but I did my job and took care of her but I never was too friendly to her after that but I dont think in my nursing career me being a big girl has hurt me but in the dating world yes but if someone likes you they will like you anyway. I am overweight but I can do my nursing work and I have no health problems other than general from being 45 years old today actually...

Specializes in pediatrics, public health.

Nope, never (and I'm a good 70 pounds overweight, and I have co-workers who are even more overweight than I am).

I felt discriminated against, not in employment, but in shopping....I would be looking for older women's clothing, stylish and couldn't find it in my size.....which at the time was size 2!....socially, I had been accused of being anorexic even with a normal BMI....and the true discrimination what that I looked 10 yrs younger so I was treated as an inexperienced youth regardless of my age, knowledge, ability or experience.

Specializes in MDS RNAC, LTC, Psych, LTAC.

Eriksoln,

Thats interesting because most diabetics, Type II anyway are overweight or obese or wouldnt have the diagnosis. Thats rude I would listen to someone who struggled with the same issues as me and diet is very important in the diabetic's toolbox to control their blood sugar that is just plain transference so they dont deal with the their own weight issue... thats silly.. and immature . Sorry you have to deal with that.

Specializes in MDS RNAC, LTC, Psych, LTAC.

Flmomof5,

People are just jealous and look at people and a stereotype is easier to think instead of getting to know someone.. Good for you if you are slim .. thats your business and no one elses.. I think if people would quit being envious of others one way or the other and work on themselves they would be alot nicer human beings.. but I know the world is not like that....

Specializes in chemical dependency detox/psych.
I'm sure it happens. If you're deciding between to candidates with equal exp, and all other qualifications are equal, would you hire the fit person or fat person? You would prob go with the fit right? Fat people generally have some sort of discipline issue, they have something causing them to be overweight. I'm talking the big big people, like myself, not just 20 lbs overweight.

I'm 270, 5'11... Would it suck to be discriminated against? Yes. Do I understand the discrimination? Yep! That's why I'm trying very hard to instill discipline in myself and get rid of my awful habits.

Good Luck,

Vae Victis

Oh, please, don't lump us fatties into the "we don't have discipline" pile. I have plenty of discipline, exercise (2-3 time/wk) and eat fairly healthfully. However, I have Polycystic Ovarian disease (affects glucose levels) and a pretty serious case of hypothyroidism (taking .125 mg levothyroxine). I'm not eating fast food often (and if I do, it's the healthy options at Subway), and I don't garbage on sweets. Many of my skinny friends have remarked that I actually eat less food than they do. I'm just cursed with an incredibly slow metabolism (my resting HR is in the 60s even with thyroid hormone.)

+ Add a Comment