How to get physically/nutritionally fit for nursing!

lifeisbeautiful · Oct 22, 2004

I really don't take many supplements and I have been fine. I will take vitamin C or a multi-vitamin on occasion though. I think working around so many people that are sick is the best way to build up your immune system.

If you are not in shape now, you certainly will be once you start running your orifice off at work :chuckle

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Oct 22, 2004

Nurses eat junk. Seriously, a lot don't take good care of themselves, and you will see many obese nurses and wonder how they have the energy to do their jobs. Since I have been in ICU I have noticed fewer morbidly obese nurses than in med-surg, maybe because ICU nurses as a group have a different personality type, or see up very close and personal the ravages excess weight effects on your body.

OTOH, some eat very well. Personally, I try to eat my veggies, take my multivit, and take my calcium when it's not making me constipated. I work 12s and try to bring some healthy snacks to get me through the long day. I end up eating a lot of peanut butter - easy, tasty and relatively nutritious. I see some nurses eating powerbars and other nutritional products when they have a free moment. We all keep a big cup of ice water at the desk and take a slug as we go by. Some days I barely eat at all, because I had to take my patient to CT scan at lunchtime and was so behind when I returned I didn't have time to eat. Not too often though.

Seiously, I don't think it's an issue most of us think much about. We're too busy trying to get it all done and still fit in sleep, family, etc.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 22, 2004

I don't really drink much soda anyway - water is the best! I also wash my hands a gazillion times/day.

Jo Dirt · Oct 22, 2004

Nurses eat junk. Seriously, a lot don't take good care of themselves, and you will see many obese nurses and wonder how they have the energy to do their jobs. Since I have been in ICU I have noticed fewer morbidly obese nurses than in med-surg, maybe because ICU nurses as a group have a different personality type, or see up very close and personal the ravages excess weight effects on your body.
QUOTE]
So, you think nurses who are obese don't understand what kinds of health risks they face?
You think thin ICU nurses possess some kind of special *virtue* that obese nurses who work elsewhere don't have?
One thing that gets me about the "virtuous" thin people...they apparently think fat people are too stupid to realize they are fat and/or understand why they are fat.

PHTLS · Oct 22, 2004

I run 5 miles every other day when I can. If my legs are too sore from overrunning, I'll run 2 miles and walk 3 miles more. Then I go home and do push-ups and sit-ups before I hit the sack. I've been meaning to lift weights, but that will have to be on stand-by. I do have a bad habit of eating sweets though. I've also quit taking my MVI's and what's water?

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Oct 22, 2004

So, you think nurses who are obese don't understand what kinds of health risks they face?
You think thin ICU nurses possess some kind of special *virtue* that obese nurses who work elsewhere don't have?
One thing that gets me about the "virtuous" thin people...they apparently think fat people are too stupid to realize they are fat and/or understand why they are fat.

Whoa, wait a sec. Three years ago I had a BMI of 33. That's obese. I'm thinner now but not where I'd like to be. I'm no virtuous thin person. And we certainly have very heavy folks in my unit. I wish being an ICU nurse automatically made you thin.

I was trying to theorize why I've seen this difference. I was not trying to offend anyone or put anyone down. I didn't say ANYTHING about overweight people not realizing that they were fat or why. If I'm wrong in my theorizing that's okay, and I'd like to hear your thoughts on it. I don't think I'm better than anybody. I'm really sorry if I hurt your feelings.

alphafe · Oct 22, 2004

I'm going into this career in midlife and while I'm healthy I know that to really do a great job I've got to do more than I do. I'm one of those women who is either going to go down one path and end up medically managed (overweight/diabetic, etc.) or down the other.

I want to choose the path of well-being and health and I can't think of a better parellel "track" than nursing school!

I'm assuming that nurses are up on and interested in preventative care,

self-care, nutrition and supplements (I'm making a generalization, I know); it's one of the reasons I feel the career move is a natural for me, as I'm interested in prevention as well as treatment of illness.

But, back to my point -- I want to be in good shape for my school and work years and power up my immune system. HELP!

Limik · Oct 22, 2004

Hi. What I try to do is pretty simple. I take a multivit every day, try to eat fruits and vegetables instead of junk, and am really trying to be better about exercising a few times a week. The truth is that most times I am so busy that I just grab whatever is easiest/fastest and that's usually junk food. I think the most important thing for me to do to stay healthy is get enough sleep (yeah I know, easier said than done). I always end up sick when I don't get enough rest, so you have to really make time to sleep and rest whenever possible. Sleep is the one thing most of us give up the most, but believe me, it shows in the long run. :uhoh3: Good luck!

Limik

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2004

Actually that is about all you can do, basic good hygiene, take multivitamins and attempt to keep yourself healthy. However, i might add that i dont care how many vitamins you take, new nurses fail to realize they have to build the immunity to some of these things on their own and no MVI in the world will keep you from catching all the new buggies you are exposed to. It may help you get over it sooner, or make the case less severe, but if you have been in a workplace where you have been somewhat "sheltered" from the things flying around you still need to build the immunity.

When i was in school we discussed a study that showed 1st year nurses had more instances of absenteeism due to illness than any other profession. DUH, thats a no brainer!

Maggie in NC · Oct 22, 2004

I've been big and I've been small. It's a matter of your personal habits. If you habitually choose hamburgers over salad, it's going to show and take it's toll. It's not rocket science to stay fit, but it does take effort. The key has always been maintaining discipline in what I eat, the amount of exercise I do, and taking the right supplements. Not only does it help my weight, it greatly decreases my stress level, my depression, and my exhaustion.

Also, taking A&P and microbiology will DEFINITELY make you think about your health and what you can do to keep it!

Karen_tn_37211 · Oct 22, 2004

I go to the gym every day that I don't work. I also take multi-vitamins, calcium, and Juice Plus. Exercising gives me more energy.... Not sure I could do this job without it.