Healthy nurses make job easier

[Hoosiernurse, ADN, RN]

I'm going to nursing school this fall, and have a lot of work to do. It seems to me that a nurse should try to be in as good a physical condition as she/he can be. People keep telling me that there is so much physical work and they have ruined their backs, feet, whatever. I am not trying to step on any toes because I have some substantial weight to lose before I consider myself in the best shape I can be in, but I have been in the hospital and have had nurses who were so large that I felt so badly for them! They were obviously tired, sweating, huffing and puffing, and I thought how much harder their work probably was for them because of that. I resolved that I was not going to add being overweight to how difficult the work will be, emotionally and physically.

Like I said, I have plenty of work to do this summer with my bike and elliptical machine, but do any of you feel that you have worked with people who had a rougher time (or even you, yourself) on the job due to their weight issues? I know sometimes it can be because of medical conditions and it's just not a simple matter to get the weight off, but do any of you have programs where you work that are designed to help nurses keep in shape?

Just curious...

[Babarnurse]

I can say for myself, the extra weight has hurt me. I am not near as energetic, I tire more quickly and I feel worse the next day. My wt. has fluxated during nursing school (I'm a new grad) and I can tell that I'm heavier now.

Flip side, I've seen some heavier nurses that seem to do just fine, guess it depends on the individual.

I work in the OR and was in a burn all day (100+) degrees, and I think I would have done better if I was in better physical shape and had a better diet.

Babarnurse

[Nutmeg5575]

I agree that anyone in a healthcare position should strive to be in good shape. Everyone has their temptations and it can be hard. It's not just big people either. I used to work in the air force as a computer operator and for detail I was a fitness monitor. In the military you have to pass a physical exam once a year and if you fail they put you on a strict diet and exercise regimen. I also did body fat tapings for the people who were on the "fat man's diet" as it was called. I have seen big people that couldn't pass, and big people that could. What was worse was when a thin woman would come in and she would "look" healthy, but as soon as we went to the physical exam she wouldn't even be able to pick up her own body weight. Not even 1 push up or sit up. It wasn't just one girl either. It was mainly a problem with women though. It was really sad I always felt bad for them. I say no matter your size you need to be in shape. I also agree that not being in shape can lead to injuries. Flexibility is improtant to prevent injuries too.

[bethem]

I've got a lot to lose, too. I don't know how it would be nursing if I were thinner, but I find that by the end of a shift I am tired. Not exhausted, just glad that it's home time. I get sore feet at the end of a shift too, but they're always fine by the next day.

Although I am really, really overweight I am fairly fit. I run for exercise, so I am able to cope with the fast pace of nursing. I am in the process of getting rid of my extra weight, so I'll let you know how it feels to be a skinny nurse.

I agree that it is better to be in a good physical condition if you are nursing.

[RN34TX]

First of all, I will say that I too, have had my own weight struggles in my life, so I do understand.

But I learned the hard way that I can't eat out of vending machines at work and then order a pizza when I get home every night and expect to keep my weight in any decent range.

However, as a guy in this field, I've grown quite tired of some (not all, so don't go crazy people) of my female colleagues equating gender with physical ability.

The fact of the matter is, so many of my colleagues in many of my jobs have been so way out of shape, that some can't even provide the most basic of physical care for their patients without help.

IMHO, they mask it with the "I need a man's muscles" phrase when asking for help with transfers or positioning, when in fact, it is not that they are female, it's the fact that they have let themselves go so bad that they can no longer perform physically like a normal adult woman should be able to.

Again, I understand, but only to an extent. I work hard to keep my weight in check and to make time to exercise at least 3x per week between school, home, and work.

It's very frustrating to make a big daily effort to keep yourself in shape, while watching your colleagues complain about their own weight, all the while they continue eating take out/fast food and vending machine snacks throughout their shifts every day alongside you (hello??), and the only reward you get for keeping yourself fit is getting asked to do the heaviest physical labor on the unit every day.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

It's wonderful that you are getting in top condition. I think it will serve you well. Keep us posted on how your entry into the profession goes. Best of luck.