Is there a Height requirement for nurses?

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hi everyone. I'm taking up nursing. I'm just wondering, is there a height requirement to get a nursing job in the USA? i'm kind of petite, around 5'0.. Some of my friends told me to get a job in the states you got to be tall because patients there are usually tall. How true is this? :( Thanks|!:innerconf

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

An employer cannot turn you down because of your height, unless there is a specific height requirement listed due to the tasks you will perform on the job. In nursing, I have worked with many short nurses. I am 5'5" and have worked with nurses that come up to my shoulder. Certain things may be a bit more challenging or you may have to ask for assistance. The main difficulty I've noticed is these nurses need help adjusting IV poles or hanging IV meds because the poles are sometimes quite high. Also, where I work, we have our IV meds in 3 bins and some of the bins are high. But no, a potential employer cannot refuse to hire you because of your height.

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Specializes in Home Health, PDN, LTC, subacute.

I'm 5 feet tall and I never heard of this. I wish I was taller, but I can't say it has made a huge difference.

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Specializes in MCH, L&D.
hi everyone. I'm taking up nursing. I'm just wondering, is there a height requirement to get a nursing job in the USA? i'm kind of petite, around 5'0.. Some of my friends told me to get a job in the states you got to be tall because patients there are usually tall. How true is this? :( Thanks|!:innerconf

A good friend of mine is an LPN, she is 4'8", really little and has no problems working.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Occ., Public Health.

There is no height requirement. Places where I have worked always had plenty of stepping stools. I'm 4'10. :dncg:

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Well if it is true, I'm in big trouble. Just wasted a ton of money, time and studying since I am barely 4 foot 11 inches :chuckle

No, that is not a true statement your friends are giving. there is NO height requirement for nursing.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU,Wound Care,LTC, Hospice, MDS.

The only height requierement I know of is in the military. A classmate of mine became an Air Force nurse after graduation and barely made the height requirement. I believe it was 4'8", but that was a looong time ago!

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Some countries have had height requirements in the past, just as you see for flight attendants, but not in nursing in the US.

Any height is welcome.

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

I've worked with some very, very petite nurses. Believe me, in this job there are always step-stools lying around! Since I'm 5'8" I'm usually the unit ladder to reach stuff.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I stand only 5'1" tall, so I'm quite short. I have never had any problems with finding employment. I have never heard of any minimum height requirements.

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you just need to be tall enough to wipe and kiss butt.

leslie:lol:

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Specializes in Med Surg, Mental Health & Addictions.

I stand 5 feet tall and there has never been an issue with my height at work. Sometimes I can't reach things but my coworkers are more than willing to help. :monkeydance:

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