Nursing student and over weight

pharmgirl · Sep 18, 2008

OH YEAH!!! I also wear a 2x although I didnt need to say it in front of the whole class. I'm old enough to have come to the realization that I just really don't care. Not that I dont care about my weight, I do. In fact, I have planned to start Curves the first of October. However, I just don't care what others think about my weight.

There are actually quite a few of us calorically challenged women in class. Couple of our instructors as well, but then again I'm in the land of biscuits and gravy and country fried steak!! LMAO

Cheer up, we love our curves and if they truly are looking at you? Smile and say "yep, there's more of me to love" :)

puppielove · Sep 18, 2008

I too am not thin I'M a 1x. Trust me not everyone is thin in nursing. as i'm sure you will see in clinicals. Nursing school is hard enough to be sweating the small stuff. My husband who is stick thin says the only one who wants a bone is a dog:lol2: trust me you'll most likly drop 10-20 lbs before your done with school. good luck in school you'll love being a nurse. :mad: :nurse: :caduceus:

DoeRN · Sep 18, 2008

Another plus sized student. And you are not the only one. I have had let me think back now. Four overweight instructors. Three overweight clinical instructors and there are plenty of us in class that are not thin. Don't let that discourage you. I am joining Weight Watchers when I finish school.

Jules A, MSN · Sep 18, 2008

Keep your chin up because it sounds like you got stuck in a very unusual class. I'm medium size but felt like a twig compared to most of my classmates and instructors! Nurses come in all sizes, shapes and colors so no worries. :)

Cherry2000 · Sep 18, 2008

I know what you mean about feeling out of place. I'm about the same size you are and right now we are doing bed baths and learning how to move people on the bed. :no: So the instructor wants to have someone get on the bed so they can demonstrate how to move a patient on a draw sheet. Guess who was closest to the bed? Yup, that would be me. Ugh. I felt like such a goober and I know my face was red. :imbar BUT I got through it and I know that I am the one making me feel uncomfortable. Its not anything the other students or faculty are doing. So I just have to suck it up and realize it is one of MY insecurities and that everyone else has them too!

scottjon · Sep 18, 2008

I know what you mean about feeling out of place. I'm about the same size you are and right now we are doing bed baths and learning how to move people on the bed. So the instructor wants to have someone get on the bed so they can demonstrate how to move a patient on a draw sheet. Guess who was closest to the bed? Yup, that would be me. Ugh. I felt like such a goober and I know my face was red. :imbar BUT I got through it and I know that I am the one making me feel uncomfortable. Its not anything the other students or faculty are doing. So I just have to suck it up and realize it is one of MY insecurities and that everyone else has them too!

I'm bigger than anyone who's posted so far to this thread (big enough that I won't even tell you, but suffice it to say, much bigger), and I was very nervous about skills lab when we first started, and there are lots of skinny girls in my class. But I got over it by taking the following attitude:

"Yo, girls, it may not be pretty, but you're going to see a LOT of this type of body when you're a nurse, so you better get used to it. Unless you're going into pediatrics, you won't have the luxury of doing draw sheet repositioning on someone who weighs less than 100 pounds. I *AM* the patient you're going to be dealing with, so start practicing now." Of course, I need to lose a lot of weight, and I'm aware of that. But in the meantime, they might as well get a dose of reality. I like to think that I'm contributing to their learning experience. :twocents:

chevyv, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2008

I'm an XL student as well. Don't bet on losing # in ns however. I find myself sitting and doing alot of reading and munching. Haven't lost a pound but did manage to gain about 5. When I'm done and get a job, I'm quite sure all the running will cause a drop. Just know that there are many of us out there.

I think it's horrible to have to state your scrub size out loud. Poor judgement on your instructors part. I don't think anyones size is my business.

Teakatoo · Sep 18, 2008

Girl, do not worry about it! You need to embrace your body...I am a Large girl and I like to think that I look sexy! You have to show confidence! those small girls feel like they have body issues as well. You have to show that you love yourself and your body. I know you'll do great, and trust me if the nursing profession or nursing students were not allowed to be overweight...how many if us would there really be???

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 18, 2008

It sure is a shame that our society puts so darn much EMPHASIS on thinness and beauty.

There is much, much more to life than that.

Wishing you all the best,

Diane

NewmanFamily6 · Sep 18, 2008

You are not alone! We have many robust ladies in my program. I myself gained a lot my first year. I have lost 24 pounds in the last few months by counting calories and making healthier choices. I'm still about a size 20. I do the best job I can when we are at the hospital and I really believe that is what the patient cares about:nurse:

LeavingTeaching4RN · Sep 18, 2008

I too am in the "Big Girl Club". I can relate to how you feel out of place and self conscious at times. I've just learned that during the L&D rotation, we have to change into the hospital scrubs. Now, I'm very nervous because I'm not sure if they'll have my size.