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.
First off great to see you here on the pre-nursing student board :) and I hope that everyone is well.
Guess what, I survived A&P 1 with an insane professor at SAC and made the only A in the class of 2 students who were left after the withdraw with W date in Nov. Must admit that I didn't have the time I needed to keep up with my fitness regime and could only do the very minimum exercises...Needless to say I gained a couple of pounds. :stone It doesn't take much and everything turns right back to mush :chuckle But since I don't plan to enter a Ms Olympia contest basics just have to do. Everything in moderation is the key isn't it? I signed up for microbiology and look forward to continue...I hope that my husband doesn't get deployed after X-mas, I wished someone could tell us with a little more certainty!
Merry X-mas and a Happy New Year :Present2: :Snowman1: :icon_bigg
Hello stpauligirl
Outstanding to read about your "A" in A&P1... :yelclap:
I enjoy reading the Pre-nursing Student Forums. I remember how tough my ADN program was working as a CST 64hrs Q 2wks, and raising my two teenage sons, all the while a single male parent. Everyone has different hurdles in life and deserve encouragement & support from those that have faced challenges successfully. You can now encourage those which struggle w/A&P1 since you been there & done that... successfully.
BTW, don't be too hard on your self for adding a couple of unwanted pounds, especially when your brain needs the added glucose as a student. Besides, I lost 12 lbs. over a 4 mo period [changed weight training routine & added more cardio] but since the holidays I've added 5 lbs. :angryfire Like you said, doing the bare min. exercise routine is fine for students, or anybody for that matter during the holidays with working & shopping, etc. Psst, you can always shoot for Ms. Olympia after you've established your RN career. :)
As far as uncertainty in the Army, your preaching to the choir, so to speak. I still have not heard if I've been accepted to the Army Nurse Anesthesia program. Plus, I could be mobilized at a moments notice to somewhere far away from my wife. I've been considering changing from Reserves to Active, if not accepted for the Army CRNA program. If I can get a guaranteed assignment to where my wife could be with me, then I'll go for it. My wife is an RN, which helps cause she could apply as an GS RN at the same Govt. hospital. Of course, sooner or later I'd face the possibility of going OCONUS w/o my wife, and I'd certainly accept such orders in the future.
Enjoy the Christmas break from school & good luck w/microbiology.
I know good nurses that are heavy, and they seem to do their work very well. More than anything, it is what is on the inside that counts most! I would rather have an overweight, caring nurse than a skinny grouchy one(probably from lack of chocolate). I started exercising daily though, for my health. I sleep so much better and I feel less tense during the day, plus I feel better about myself. Start slow and pace yourself, but remember to do something you like, or at least listen to good music while you do it. You don't have to spend a fortune on dieting products, just exercise and make good food choices. And don't forget- Character counts more than calories!!!!
... lack of chocolate :chuckle
I love chocolate, which I'd say is my feminine side... except my wife does not like chocolate near as much as I do. :rotfl:
The desk at my school are very small. I have problems sitting at these tiny desk at 165 pounds. I wouldn't let weight stop you. I am sure the school can make some kind of arrangements.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
In terms of passing your physical, it depends a lot of what if any underlying conditions you might have. As you know, excess weight is associated with a whole host of conditions. That said, I know some overweight nurses who are able to perform the physical functions of their job, and I know some thin nurses who have trouble with the toll this job takes on your body (and lots of vice versa, too). I encourage you to get a physical now (it will give you a good idea on any areas of concern), maybe ask for a referral to a nutritionist and look into different weight loss programs to decide what will work best for you. Good luck!
I decided this past June that when I went to the uniform fitting for nursing school that I wanted to be comfortable with myself - not worried about others, but how I felt. I joined weight watchers and have lost 36 pounds. I have about 36 more to go, but nursing school doesn't start until August and fitting is in July. I have just completed my pre-requisites this semester. My whole point is this -
1) be comfortable with you - for you. Make the decision to lose weight for the right reasons; otherwise it is harder to stick with it.
2) Do something healthy! These 'fad diets' are so hard on your body - I know, I have done them!! I am not saying Weight Watchers is the best thing out there by any means - but it is a healthy, semi-structured program that I can fit into my family's lives...no real drastic changes.
3) MOVE! Even if it is just walking to the corner and back at first. Every little step helps - believe me! At first I was a serious couch potato - with my books, not the TV. Now I find that exercise helps me 'decompress' from all the stress that is related to school - and there will be stress.
4) As I said in 3 - School is stressful - life is, too. If you are already concerned about your weight, I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to make little changes at the same time as starting school. I think you will find that baby steps in the right direction will help ease the anxiety that comes with the territory.
5) Keep coming to ALLNURSES for encouragement and when it is time, you can turn around and be an encouragement to someone else!!
Good luck in whatever you choose to do. Good luck with school. Keep in touch!
Be blessed,
Traci
PS - As someone else stated - most schools have a person or department responsible for making sure that there are accommodations for every student. Be sure to check into that at your school!!:)
One of the best RN's I"ve ever worked with weighed close to 300 lbs. Her intelligence and calm demeanor during emergencies made her quite an asset to her unit. She did have trouble with her knee joints. Nursing is a physically demanding job even for svelt, jock types. She eventually lost 100 lbs before getting a knee replacement. Last I heard she was still working warp speed on a very busy telemetry unit....at age 50.
Good luck in your nursing future. I hope everything works out for you.
I weigh almost 250 pounds and in some of my classes it is a very tight squeeze to get into those tiny little desk (like someone else said, the type that they have in Jr High School) The school does have to accommodate you though, if you need a larger desk, ask for one. My science classes all have nice roomy tables, some even have adjustable padded chairs, sorta computer style, very comfortable.
Yes, being over weight makes EVERYTHING harder. I stay fatigued, and hot all the time, get out of breath easily etc... I also want to loose weight. I have joined several gyms and I never attend them. This semester I signed up for Yoga, I figured that if it affects my GPA then I will have no choice but to go and I need that discipline badly. I know I wont drop much weight, if any, doing regular yoga but at least I will become more flexible and any form of exercise is better than none right? Its just a baby step but at least I know I am headed in the right direction. I also have a treadmill and I am going to start walking on it everyday. I will only be able to do it for a short time at first but that's OK because I will build more endurance. Now if I can just keep unhealthy food out of my mouth I might get some where.
I wish you all the best, you will make a great nurse. I wish you were going to my school, you could take the yoga with me, I need a workout buddy.
I love chocolate, which I'd say is my feminine side... except my wife does not like chocolate near as much as I do. :rotfl:
All the males, including my boy dogs, have a sweet tooth for chocolate....worse than me!
Apparently chocolate is poisonous to dogs...well my beagle stole all chocolate ornaments off a nice dinner table center piece one year and devoured them, I called the vet in a panic after I came home. It didn't effect him a bit....he is still with us, although a little rotund after 10 years :chuckle
My husband is also trying for active duty.....but wherever they send him I will be able to handle it, continue with school, and hold the fort. (I've learned how to use a shotgun in my pioneer days :rotfl: ) Good luck and I keep my fingers crossed for you to get into the program.
I started out very heavy, but at my job, since I am the only RN supervisor on the night shift and my facility is a good 1/3 mile lapping it, I walk SO much during an eight hour shift that I have lost 53 pounds since June. No kidding, I still eat horribly (yesterday had nothing but Doritos and Snickers) but I walk so much and stay so busy that the weight is coming off on its own. I do take vitamin supplements. If your lifestyle right now is not active at all, the active lifestyle of a nurse (or even a nursing student) should help you lose weight. I would definately start taking short daily walks, though, to build up your physical stamina.
...sounds like we are all happy and proud of you for the decision to become a part of our nursing team :) Lose your weight slowly...drink lots of water. We're here for ya!
There are nurses of all shapes, sizes and colors. Even if you did have some difficulty with direct patient care, there are so many jobs to choose from that wouldn't matter what your size, age, etc! Don't let being overweight stop you from achieving your dreams!
Corvette Guy
1,505 Posts
Hello stpauligirl
Outstanding to read about your "A" in A&P1... :yelclap:
I enjoy reading the Pre-nursing Student Forums. I remember how tough my ADN program was working as a CST 64hrs Q 2wks, and raising my two teenage sons, all the while a single male parent. Everyone has different hurdles in life and deserve encouragement & support from those that have faced challenges successfully. You can now encourage those which struggle w/A&P1 since you been there & done that... successfully.
BTW, don't be too hard on your self for adding a couple of unwanted pounds, especially when your brain needs the added glucose as a student.
Besides, I lost 12 lbs. over a 4 mo period [changed weight training routine & added more cardio] but since the holidays I've added 5 lbs. :angryfire Like you said, doing the bare min. exercise routine is fine for students, or anybody for that matter during the holidays with working & shopping, etc. Psst, you can always shoot for Ms. Olympia after you've established your RN career. :)
As far as uncertainty in the Army, your preaching to the choir, so to speak. I still have not heard if I've been accepted to the Army Nurse Anesthesia program. Plus, I could be mobilized at a moments notice to somewhere far away from my wife. I've been considering changing from Reserves to Active, if not accepted for the Army CRNA program. If I can get a guaranteed assignment to where my wife could be with me, then I'll go for it. My wife is an RN, which helps cause she could apply as an GS RN at the same Govt. hospital. Of course, sooner or later I'd face the possibility of going OCONUS w/o my wife, and I'd certainly accept such orders in the future.
Enjoy the Christmas break from school & good luck w/microbiology.
:Santa1: