height requirement for OR nurses?

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I've always wanted to be an OR nurse. After graduating & getting my license I tried applying in a hospital but they said that they have a height requirement especially in the OR. I am petite (only 5'1 and about 100 lbs). They said they needed someone to be at least 5'3 (and above) to be able to reach & see everything on the OR table. Is this really true? :cry:

I try not to be discouraged but I would like for those OR nurses out there (from all countries included) to give me the real picture. Thanks a lot! :)

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Specializes in OR.

We have a few petite OR nurse and scrub techs. Is it even legal to discriminate against someone based on height?

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I've never heard of a height requirement. We have a very high-tech invention in our O.R. called a foot stool!

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Anesthesia, ICU, ER, Dialysis.

IMHO, they are full of it. Apply at a different hospital, and it is so totally the first hospital's loss.

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Specializes in OR.
We have a very high-tech invention in our O.R. called a foot stool!

:chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

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thanks everyone! :loveya:

before i apply again, i'll definitely make sure there are plenty of foot stools in that hospital... hehehe :p

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Specializes in Operating Room.

That is one of the craziest things I have ever heard! :smackingf

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That is one of the craziest things I have ever heard! :smackingf

welcome to Philippines nursing. Where thousands and thousands of RNs are unemployed. I think the hospital have all the right to be choosy especially in choosing someone (due to an overwhelming supply of nurses), i dont want to discriminate but it just totally makes sense to me if to choose between someone who is tall to someone who is ''petite''

Anyway, being tall has its advantages. But height should never be a deciding factor, you could tell the HRD you might be petite, but you are tall on different aspects (such as quick learner, someone who is reliable etc...)

and if your in the OR, as a scrub nurse assisting the surgeon, you would not move around (like playing basketball) but you would just stand still. A foot stool would do.

god bless

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Specializes in Obs & gynae theatres.

I know I'm stereotyping here, but aren't the majority of Philippino's petite anyway?

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I know I'm stereotyping here, but aren't the majority of Philippino's petite anyway?

yes the majority are, but more and more nurses= more choices for hospitals to choose tall nurses.

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yes the majority are, but more and more nurses = more choices for hospitals to choose tall nurses.

TRUE...

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Specializes in Operating Room Nursing.

I have to admit that I prefer working with nurses who are medium to tall. Main reason is because when your manual handling a patient the height is ALWAYS adjusted for the smaller person (hospital policy), which means that I have to bend more, and risk hurting my back. One nurse (under 5 foot) cannot reach across her sterile field to take items from the scout nurse, so you have to walk around the set up which not easy when you have multiple trolleys and little room to get in there.

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