Overweight: Lose wt before Interview?

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2004

Just be yourself!! Normal weight doesnt make someone a better nurse. Be confident in your skills, talent, and integrity and you will be fine.

hmccartn · Jan 9, 2004

your ability as a nurse is what's important...be sure to portray convidence and you will be fine..

Rapheal · Jan 9, 2004

About 70% all our nurses are at least 20-30lbs overweight on my unit. We have a few who are significantly overweight. So weight does not seem to be an issue for being hired. Also I have not observed any concerns regarding anyone's weight.

I would concentrate on your interview skills. Many job posting boards will give you interview tips such as researching your employer, how to answer questions, what to wear, ect.

I would like to remind you that although you are being interviewed- remember to interview your potential employer as well. Ask about your expected responsibilites, nurse to patient ratios, support staff ect. Get the best job you can. Good luck and remember not to jump into anything.

susanmary · Jan 9, 2004

Go to any facility & you will see that nurses come in all shapes and sizes. If you want, loose the weight for YOU. Treat yourself to a great interview outfit that is professional, flattering, and that you feel comfortable in. Be kind to yourself and realize that your weight does not define you -- you define you.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 9, 2004

I'm severely overweight, and I have never, ever had the slightest difficulty getting nursing jobs.

That said, I think if you CAN lose some weight and do it for the right reasons, you should, because the less you have to carry around while you're running up and down the halls, the better! Nursing is very hard work, both mentally and physically, and sometimes I wonder how I manage it at my size, standing and walking for hours on end.......and I'm no spring chicken either!

Then again, I've never given in to my weight; I once had a friend who was my size, maybe a bit larger, and she let herself get all crippled up; by the time she was my age (45 this month), she was completely disabled. I guess she was my role model for the way I did NOT want to be, and I've stayed fairly active no matter how big I was, even when I was 40# heavier than I am now.

Good luck to you, and remember, good nurses come in all shapes and sizes.......and good administrators know this.

kimtab · Jan 9, 2004

I am overweight and it never occurred to me to be apprehensive about finding a job when I get out of school. There are overweight nurses, there are nurses that smoke, there are Nurses who exceed the speed limit while driving. I don't think you're expected to be a flawless example of health seeking behavior for all you meet. America is an overweight country anyway, you're in good company.

Kim

BarbPick · Jan 9, 2004

It is against the law to discriminate. The last place it happens is in nursing. Plus sizes are the biggest seller in the uniform store.

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2004

Lose weight only for you...not for anyone else.

The nurses at my facility that are overweight are not treated any differently than anyone else.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2004

If you're planning to lose weight AND keep it off, then go ahead and start doing so immediately.

Good luck!

8YRSAWY · Jan 10, 2004

We live in a very obese-conscience society. I, myself, am overweight. The only hurdle I've ever encountered in job interviews is my own self-image. If you focus on "I'm fat...I look fat in this shirt...I feel like an elephant", you're going to lose confidence and in return, be more nervous which can make your interview go south quick. Focus on the opp. you're interviewing for and show excitement about possibly working for the company. If you focus on that, before you know it, you've forgotten that you're overweight and so has the interviewer.

Something I've done before is eat healthy the week of the interview. You may or may not lose any weight but at least you know you're going in a positive direction. That gives a sense of achievement that will give you confidence.

That's my advice anyway...coming from experience. Good luck to you.

Eric