How important is your 'look' as a nurse

Umberlee · May 23, 2014

Awesome, now where can I find 40-inch heels??

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 23, 2014

Sorry I didn't know that!! Thanks for telling me in a nice way and not judging and criticizing me for being ignorant.

If you use the "quote" button, we'll know which post you're answering. thanks.

Ruby Vee, BSN · May 23, 2014

I am not sure about that either.
How do determine someone's attitude by looking at them?
some of us have naturally looking sad faces,but some people think they can determine how i feel just by looking at my natural face.

You can tell a lot about someone's attitude by talking with them. And whether your face is "naturally sad" or not, I'm hoping you'd make the effort to put a smile on your face and greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and a pleasant greeting.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 23, 2014

I can only imagine that the main posters who have an issue in this post are overweight or are otherwise deemed unattractive.

Seriously? People can have a pleasant exterior that is spoiled by an unpleasant interior.

Nola009 · May 24, 2014

Didn't work for me.

Keep tryin, hun....

MaryColleenRN, BSN, RN · May 26, 2014

Seriously? Anyone that is overweight is compromising their health....

Delicate Flower · May 26, 2014

Here we go again. Brilliant.

MaryColleen, weight is not the same thing as health, mkay? Seriously.

aortas · May 26, 2014

I have a 3/4 sleeve of tattoos which often shows from under my scrub top...and various other tattoos (mostly unseen whole in scrubs). My hair is platinum blonde, I wear frames that tend to be on the bigger and not really conservative type of frames...and I'm small and thin. I like fashion, I'm good at dressing my small frame...idk

TeresaHolloway · May 26, 2014

I am a plus sized nurse and I move around a lot in a very busy ER department. I don't push the weight issue with patients and in fact I did an assignment in nursing school regarding obese nurses telling patient to lose weight...It's the same as those nurses who still smoke and tell their patients they need to quit...

And yes the snickers from coworkers behind the back and the mental health patients who tend to refer to me as "Fatso" or "fat nurse" that stings for sure but I look at where it's coming from...Especially since I have lost weight and these people don't know that...

I personally don't care what your size is but what bothers me is the nurses who don't wear proper uniforms (I work with a lot who use yoga pants). To me that is unprofessional. But hey that's my opinion...

Delicate Flower · May 26, 2014

Who tells their patients they need to quit smoking? What is it with people trying to boss others around? How about, "I see that you are a smoker. Have you ever thought about quitting? I can point you to some resources that might help if you would like."

Teresa, since your patients are into using descriptive terms to describe you, maybe you could do the same. How about "Rude patient..." Also, keep in mind you do not have to justify your body to anyone.

TheGooch · May 26, 2014

First I want to apologize for saying overweight or obese nurses shouldn't be giving advice to patients about losing weight. Since I posted that I've been made aware of issues that might be beyond someone's control when it comes to their weight and it's not for me to judge.

The reason why Americans are obsessed with weight is because it's being drummed into our heads by medical professionals and the government that we have an obesity epidemic in this country. The First Lady has made it her goal to make childhood obesity a thing of the past. Never mind the fact that kids today don't get any exercise and spend their time in front of computers or playing video games. When I was a kid in the 70's we spent a good portion of our days outside playing.

And some one did bring up a good point about steroids. People are told to lose weight because it might help their medical condition but hey, here's a drug that will suppress your immune system so it doesn't attack itself but will also cause you to gain weight in most cases.

I have been told I have a fatty liver. It was an automatic diagnosis because I am a little overweight and was told if I lost some pounds my problems would be solved. I had some blood work done and my ANA came back positive while my liver enzymes continue to raise. So the same doctor who tells me it was just a "fatty liver" tells me he is now concerned because of ANA and the rising enzymes and sends me off for a biopsy because he says I might have AIH, Told to lose weight and the treatment for that is steroids which will probably make me gain weight.

So now I don't judge the healthcare worker who is overweight or obese. They might have some medical condition that causes it. It's not always black and white, so to say.

Delicate Flower · May 26, 2014

I'm sorry for the medical challenges you are going through.

I completely agree with the first portion of your post regarding the country's weight obsession. War is being waged on fat people by the government. The thinking that fat = bad = unhealthy is so widespread and so commonplace that if you suggest otherwise, you are dismissed or labeled foolish. This thread is a clear example.

I understand your frustration at being told to lose weight, and also being put on steroids. For your own sanity, you may want to consider focusing on healthy behaviors, and not your weight. That would be things like: Eat more fruits and vegetables. Move your body in ways you enjoy (a.k.a. exercise), get plenty of sleep, work on reducing stress. Take your medications. I'm not telling you what do to, just presenting another option.

The theme in your post that I would disagree on is that it is OK to be fat, as long as you have a valid excuse (steroids, health problem, whatever). The thing is, fat people don't deserve to be judged no matter what. There is this notion that if it is your fault, or caused by things you could potentially control, then it's OK to judge/ridicule/discriminate etc. No.

Nobody needs an excuse to live in their body.