333 lb. Nurse?? Help, please.

stpauligirl · Dec 16, 2005

So, I've finally realizing my dream. 19 years after high school, I'm going to attend college for the first time this semester. I want to become an RN someday.
My problems are as follows.
1. At 333 lbs. will I fit in a school desk?
2. Will I be able to take off enough pounds in order to pass a physical and perform the physically demanding job of nursing? I have 3 semesters of prerequisites and then four semesters of nursing school during which I SHOULD be able to lose the pounds.
I appreciate your prayers and support.
*********************************************************
OVERWEIGHT NURSES
What do you think?
Are they able to fully perform their jobs or are the putting patients at risk?
Sound off...

How is your health now? the prep courses and nursing school are stressful and you need to have adequate calories and nutrients or you might not be able to withstand the stress of school. Whatever you do don't go on a radical weightloss program while in school! Have you thought about joining a gym, working out helps me cope with stress and other ailments. I walk alot which isn't that streneous. For example I walk my son to school in the morning, walk to pick him up etc. I also have a stationary bike at home and ride it while reading my textbooks/notes etc.

As a nurse you can't be a little twig because the job requires a certain amount of physical strength and stamina. In our school they have at least one or two chairs/tables that allow for students that need extra room for whatever reason (I've used it in the past because I could spread my stuff out better :) Whatever you decide, talk to your physician who may also be able to give you good advice and resources. And good luck to you.

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2005

If nursing is your dream, don't let anything stop you. Start now, see a dietition, start walking, and make some life-style changes. Get a buddy to encourage you along. I'm sure that if your serious to loose weight, you will!

If you remain heavy I can see that you might find your self in some uncomfortable positions during your clinical rotations .

You will have to do a lot of manuvering in the tight quarters of the pt's rooms that are usually overcrowed. I.V poles & equipment that you must set up might make things more difficult if they are in hard to reach positions. There is a lot of bending, squatting, pulling, pushing , running & stretching involved on the nurses part of bed-side care. If you haven't begun an exercize program yet,talk with your Dr. ( you may want to start getting yourself ready right now, so when time comes you'll be fit & ready.)

I don't know about your schools desk's so I really don't know if they would be a problem, but if you start now, you have much better chances of passing that physical.

Good luck and God bless :)

Gennaver, MSN · Dec 16, 2005

So, I've finally realizing my dream. 19 years after high school, I'm going to attend college for the first time this semester. I want to become an RN someday.
My problems are as follows.
1. At 333 lbs. will I fit in a school desk?
2. Will I be able to take off enough pounds in order to pass a physical and perform the physically demanding job of nursing? I have 3 semesters of prerequisites and then four semesters of nursing school during which I SHOULD be able to lose the pounds.
I appreciate your prayers and support.
*********************************************************
OVERWEIGHT NURSES
What do you think?
Are they able to fully perform their jobs or are the putting patients at risk?
Sound off...

Hello Grad2009,

Firstly let me CONGRATULATE YOU! :balloons: :balloons: Making the choice to go back to school can be intimidating, I would bet you will do wonderful and that yes, it will be a whole lot of work and emotional and will want to make you cry at times and when you are all done you will be amazed at yourself.

That was just about the pre reqs and nursing school portion. I do not have anything to offer on the weight issue other than...well, how tall are you? Does your weight currently affect your ability to perfrom your daily activities? Otherwise...I have worked with many 'big' nurses. Yes, it will be harder on you, of course it will.

Hold your head high! Take as best care of yourself as you can, be well and be wise.

Good luck and I hope some of the Big Nurses give you advice and words.

Gen

p.s. I am not big but, my mom and sis are...5'11" and over 200+ at times yet, built like brick buildings and strong, (yet, sometimes people will take advantage of bigger people thinking just that, that they are stronger and can do more...)

KatieBell · Dec 16, 2005

People of all sizes do become nurses. Including people who are called "little twigs" One can be a nurse at 333 pounds or at 90.

I think it might be difficult for you at that weight, but certainly not impossible, and the nicest thing about extra weight is that you can loose it...maybe not with a lot of ease, but you can do it.

Good Luck!!!!

stpauligirl · Dec 16, 2005

If nursing is your dream, don't let anything stop you. Start now, see a dietition, start walking, and make some life-style changes. Get a buddy to encourage you along. I'm sure that if your serious to loose weight, you will!
If you remain heavy I can see that you might find your self in some uncomfortable positions during your clinical rotations .
You will have to do a lot of manuvering in the tight quarters of the pt's rooms that are usually overcrowed. I.V poles & equipment that you must set up might make things more difficult if they are in hard to reach positions. There is a lot of bending, squatting, pulling, pushing , running & stretching involved on the nurses part of bed-side care. If you haven't begun an exercize program yet,talk with your Dr. ( you may want to start getting yourself ready right now, so when time comes you'll be fit & ready.)
I don't know about your schools desk's so I really don't know if they would be a problem, but if you start now, you have much better chances of passing that physical.
Good luck and God bless :)

I am 46 and have joint aches....especially my right knee gives me trouble on and off. Even though I am not overweight and exercise regularly I hope it will not interfere with my dream of becoming a nurse. I guess all of us face certain challenges that we just have to face and try to deal with the best we can.

Catsmeow · Dec 16, 2005

At the school I attend, in each classroom, they have a desk that's made larger with a bit more room. Since someone else mentioned this it's likely many schools have this now. Depending on the desks in the rooms, some may be a bit of a tight fit, but like someone else said, it likely depends on your height. A girl I went to school with last semester was around 300, 5'6" I believe and she did alright.

I signed myself up for the 2 credit fitness course that's a core req. at college. Hoping to use that to my advantage motivational wise, I'd like to lose some more weight too!

And my last thought is Curves. Wonderful women's gym, I can only rave about. They don't tend to have babysitting though, but still, the circuit training and that it's only women is wonderful. See if you have one locally!

Warmest wishes,

Cats

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Dec 16, 2005

I weigh over 300 myself, but I've performed my duties at higher weights than 333#, and indeed continue to perform them adequately even though I do have some osteoarthritis in my spine and knees, and I'm probably a whole lot older than you are. It CAN be done, although certainly not as easily or perhaps as comfortably as you could if you were a little smaller.......I say go for it, don't let your size get in the way of your dreams.:)

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 16, 2005

Congratulations on going back to school and pursuing your dream. As you may already know, nurses come in all shapes and sizes. If you feel you want to lose weight then by all means slowly and gradually do so under supervision of a medical provider etc.

Best wishes to you :)

goingformydream · Dec 17, 2005

I just wanted to say congratulations! I know for me, after taking anatomy, and learning all those muscles, I couldn't wait to start using them! Lose the weight the proper way, eat less, move more. What an inspiration you will be to your patients! Good luck on your journey. I am proud of you and your decision!

:) C....

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2005

Good luck!

Annabelle57 · Dec 17, 2005

i think you'll be a great nurse, whether or not you lose a single pound. i am proud of you for making the decision to be healthier - i struggle with extra weight every day, too. you are not alone!

i don't think school will be a problem. in all of my classes so far, my "desk" has never been anything but a long rectangular table (regular or "lab") with hard plastic chairs that have accommodated pretty much everyone. there was a brilliant woman who was a fellow student of mine in my a & p i class who had to be around the 300-lb mark, but as far as i could see, her weight wasn't presenting a problem for much of anything, certainly not for her kicking all of our butts grade-wise :rotfl: (she was an excellent tutor - i owe my a in that class to her. thanks becky, wherever you are!)

anyhoo, best of luck to you - you've made two great decisions, and we're here to support you in both. :icon_hug: