Plus size nursing students

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I hope to be attending nursing school in the fall. Those nursing students out there who are plus sized: did you have any problems getting the uniforms in the larger sizes? My biggest fear is getting there and the largest size they have would not fit me.

Thanks

Specializes in Clinicals.

I'm also afraid that my uniform won't fit. But I on the other hand am afraid that it will be too large. :o I'm a little closer to underweight.

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Specializes in PACU, PICU, ICU, Peds, Education.

On the exam front, not only did we do exams on each other (including breast), we gave each other bed baths! The point was to have the experience of being a patient. It worked. I can still bathe my patients while protecting their modesty.

(we wore panties. And if we REALLY had a problem, we could opt for a 'fake' breast. No one did)

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Well, we had all kinds of fake breasts (the ones not attached to people) and EVERYone opted to use them. They can't make you participate in anything invasive if you don't want to.

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Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown and CVSICU.
that was also a big fear of mine (no pun intended). i start clinicals in the fall and just got the supply list. we have to order our uniforms from the school and they go all the way up to 5x.

the next problem i have to tackle: we have to practice assessments on each other and the 'patient' can only be in their bra and panties....:o

i have been working hard on my weight for more than a year and haven't lost much.

i had the same fear (i wear an 18) because my school "required" us to get all of our scrubs from a local store that they had chosed. i was relieved when i found that the store sold scrubs up to size 5x. so i didn't have any problems. also, during the year, i decided to buy my own scrubs that were a little more comfortable with more pockets. i purchased them from macy's and none of the clinical instructors ever noticed or said a word.

as for the physical assessments....we were allowed to do our assessments in tank tops and shorts. myself and another fluffy (i hate the term plus size) student paired up. that way, we were more concious about it with each other. :monkeydance:

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as for the physical assessments....we were allowed to do our assessments in tank tops and shorts. myself and another fluffy (i hate the term plus size) student paired up. that way, we were more concious about it with each other.

i love this idea!!! i'll be in a cohort of 10 so i might just be the fluffiest but we'll see!!!

angelica

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I am a plus sized nursing student. Our school dictates what uniform we wear and where we have to buy it from. The pants go to 5X but the tops only to 2X and lemme tell ya....I BARELY fit into my top. Mostly because of large breasts. I hate, hate, hate it.....but at least it DOES fit.....I just can't gain another pound lol ( only 1 semester left- thank goodness)

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They are having our uniform fittings in the school cafeteria?!?- I can't even imagine- so I went to the store directly and tried everything on ahead of time (today) actually. The uniform school fitting is Monday and now I know what I am going to get and I won't have to change in the college bathroom and I had the opportunity to see what these uniforms looked like in a full length mirrior. I wear an 16-18 and the Landau XL fit fine. They are offering lowrise- flare leg drawstring pants- yuck!!! I was so glad they are also letting us get a cargo pant with slightly tapered leg - elastic waist pants, and it comes in petite. Yea- plus it has that sewn in seam down the front- I love the seams- so slimming. LOL!

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Specializes in medsurg, clinic, nursing home.

I was worried too! I started Nsg. school with a newborn(gained 75 lbs during pregnancy). But the Landau uniforms size 3x fit me and I'm glad to know that our program is not the only one using the sewn in seem down the middle of the pants! Oh but even being a big girl the Landau top our school picked still looks like a maternity top on everyone(fluffy and the super skinny). Imagine a group of 25 students going on to the clinical floor and we all look about 6 months preg!!!

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To answer the posted question- I'm in class with people of all shapes, sizes, and cultures. We all have different lifestyles and beliefs. I myself am plus sized and wear 13-14 in pants and XL top. I have found no difficulty purchasing scrubs or uniforms. Every store I've gone to has offered plus size clothing at LEAST to 4X. I always check to see what sizes stores offer because I used to be much heavier. In class we are required to show skin during lab. However, I have never been required to show anything more than my abdomen, legs, back, and arms. The least amount of clothes I've worn to lab is a pair of shorts or thin capris ( for checking femoral pulse, etc), and a tank top that I roll up to expose my abdomen. The curtain is always closed. I was shy at first, but after a while I got comfortable with my lab partner and it became a breeze. Don't stress!! Good Luck

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I have been fluffy, plus-sized or just plain fat my whole life. I currently wear a 1x. In NS, I was pretty stressed (hubby deployed, two small kids, etc - you guys know the drill). ANyway, our unifornms certainly fit everyone from the itsiest, bitiest student to the largest student.

As to assessments, we had these dummies that we practiced on - not ever, ever on each other. Anyway, the important thing is to get thru school and go on.

Congrats to all of you!

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I have been fluffy, plus-sized or just plain fat my whole life. I currently wear a 1x. In NS, I was pretty stressed (hubby deployed, two small kids, etc - you guys know the drill). ANyway, our unifornms certainly fit everyone from the itsiest, bitiest student to the largest student.

As to assessments, we had these dummies that we practiced on - not ever, ever on each other. Anyway, the important thing is to get thru school and go on.

Congrats to all of you!

I am a size 2x-3x and had no problem with nursing school uniforms. The company you buy the uniforms from should allow you to come to the store if you are at all uncomfortable about trying on clothes at school.

Good luck to everyone and remember everyone is nervous starting nursing school. You are not alone and you will find someone to buddy up with!

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Has anyone tried ordering from any of the companies that offer custom-made scrubs if you send them your measurements? (Just Google custom scrubs.) I was surprised at the prices -- not bad.

This looks appealing to me. If I buy what fits my hips, the pants are always way too big for my waist.

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