Guys, I need your advice

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Hi everyone-

I have been contemplating this dilemma for some time and actually about asking you guys what your thoughts are. I want some direct, honest responses. I recently finished nursing school and have passed NCLEX. 3 years ago I worked as an EMT-1 in an ALS crew and I did it for a year before moving into a better paying job that I had to take in order to pay bills.

The dilema deals with my weight and my passion of emergency nursing/medicine. If I had a choice, I would love to start my career as an ER nurse, but I am scared what the staff and other personnel might think about my functionality as an RN.

I am 6'2" and weight 380lbs, Pretty big dude huh? My scrub tops are usually 3XL and some even 4XL. During nursing school I never never had an issue with my weight, I performed amazing, was able to do all routines/procedures and even nurses and personnel loved having me in their floor because I could do a lot with moving and helping patients. My clinicals were twice a week 8-9 hrs per day and even when I did my preceptorship, which I was working 12s, which in reality were 13s I had no problem functioning at all! I am not going to lie, there were times when I got home and was pretty tired, but not immbile! lol

Due to this dilemma and insecurity of mine, I am applying to med/surg floors where I know it can also get crazy, but maybe not as intense as the ER. I joined a gym last week and started working on myself more to health reasons and to be able to do my job better, but do you think I should let this hold me from applying to the ER? What are your honest thoughts and advice?

Thanks in advance.

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Hi everyone-

I have been contemplating this dilemma for some time and actually about asking you guys what your thoughts are. I want some direct, honest responses. I recently finished nursing school and have passed NCLEX. 3 years ago I worked as an EMT-1 in an ALS crew and I did it for a year before moving into a better paying job that I had to take in order to pay bills.

The dilema deals with my weight and my passion of emergency nursing/medicine. If I had a choice, I would love to start my career as an ER nurse, but I am scared what the staff and other personnel might think about my functionality as an RN.

I am 6'2" and weight 380lbs, Pretty big dude huh? My scrub tops are usually 3XL and some even 4XL. During nursing school I never never had an issue with my weight, I performed amazing, was able to do all routines/procedures and even nurses and personnel loved having me in their floor because I could do a lot with moving and helping patients. My clinicals were twice a week 8-9 hrs per day and even when I did my preceptorship, which I was working 12s, which in reality were 13s I had no problem functioning at all! I am not going to lie, there were times when I got home and was pretty tired, but not immbile! lol

Due to this dilemma and insecurity of mine, I am applying to med/surg floors where I know it can also get crazy, but maybe not as intense as the ER. I joined a gym last week and started working on myself more to health reasons and to be able to do my job better, but do you think I should let this hold me from applying to the ER? What are your honest thoughts and advice?

Thanks in advance.

Hi! I had a co-worker in the ER who was also a big guy. He was tall and really huge. Our ER gets really crazy and chaotic and always super busy. Anyway, this guy im telling you about was my mentor, and he was great nurse! One of the best IV sharp shooter in the hospital, he was even better than most anesthesiologists! He's the go-to guy for every difficult patient.

Dont be insecure about how you look, but pls be concerned on how your weight affects your health. My mentor was a really great nurse, unfortunately he passed away, heart attack at age 40 something.

Good job on the lifestyle change, continue working out! Go! Go! Go! :)

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I'm on the bigger side and don't struggle in the ED at all. Sometimes being tall and big can be an advantage with the psych patients...the whole you look more intimidating the bigger you make yourself.

If the ED staff are good then they will support you with your lifestyle changes and maybe motivate you: encourage you to take stairs instead of lifts. You can only work where you feel comfortable.

ED is hectic some days and slower others but its a continuous flow of work

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Specializes in Emergency, Med-Surg, Progressive Care.

It's not any less crazy on med-surg, I promise you. I have a bead of sweat down my crack about half the time since I'm on my feet for four or more hours at a time. Med-surg floors tend to be larger than emergency departments, so you'll probably get even more exercise on the floor than you would in the ED. I suggest you apply to every position you can find within an hour radius of your home (even LTC) and take the one that sounds best to you. It's pretty slim pickings out there in most areas.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Go for it! Your size may be a limiting factor for flight nursing or other tight quarters but shouldn't be a problem in ED.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm 5'9" and 340lb and I'm a CNA. I run my butt off(figuratively speaking) on medsurg floors and it's INSANE. I think I could definitely hold my own in ER! I say you go for your dreams and be happy! Don't limit yourself based on what you think others MIGHT think about you--that's a bad path to get started down.

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well if you can handle things it would not be a hindrance being in ER Dept.now if you really feel bad because you look so heavy then start to reduced now because it is really much easier for you to move quickly if your lighter otherwise the best option is to stay where you are now.

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Your size won't be an issue at all, if anything it will be a blessing in the er. There is nothing better than having a big guy when a patient gets confrontational! We have a couple of huge guys that work in radiology and they are always life savers when we gave an unruly patient!

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

Go for what you want. As someone else said, only in a specialty like flight nursing, where space is an issue, would your weight be a detriment. Ability to do the job and do it well are far more important.

Besides, that combative drunk might think twice about copping an attitude after seeing you standing there.

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