Overweight RN talked about

Nurses Relations

Published

I work in LTC and we had a pretty overweight RN who applied for a position. I noticed that when she was shown around the building (only because one manager started the interview and another joined in halfway through and had to review the notes the first manager made, and asked her to show the RN around). As they stepped out of the interview room, they stopped to say hello to me at my med cart, and I wished her luck and happened to look at the nurses' station and saw several RNs and LVNs trying hard stifle their laughter!! I was horrified for this woman.

We all know that those of us who care for others should be healthy and fit, but what happens when a nurse is overweight or even obese? Does she automatically become unworthy of working as a nurse? Not sure what I'm expecting from writing this post, just that I thought it was a rather sad way to treat a human being. Needless to say, she didn't get the position, and although I'd like to think it was for some other reason, I can't help but wonder if it was because of her weight.

Specializes in LTC Management, Community Nursing, HHC.
I'm curious, where's the evidence that the nurses in the nurses' station were laughing at the applicant?

Evidence? I didn't realize I had to provide evidence in a simple comment I shared. Is several nurses looking at one particular person and giggling / stifling their giggles not enough evidence? Then watching her walk away as they rolled their eyes and made other comments not enough evidence? I don't need them to include me in their comments in order to know what they're talking about, or who they're laughing at.

Is this satire?

Not satire. I don't have any rotten sorts in my circles but yes of course I know they exist. Never in any working environment though, if they did I would light them up, most of the people I come across are out there doing their best.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
As a nurse, you ARE supposed to know what it is you are giving to the patient and why you are giving the medicine. The PA was unprofessional calling 'nurses stupid', but responding with a "I don't know" is definitely not a good representation of a 'nurse' because you ARE supposed to know! If it was important, there are also side affects that need to be on the watch for, so yes, that was the wrong answer.
I think you are responding to the incorrect thread. Your reply ended up on this particular thread, which is discussing an overweight RN who applied for a position.

The thread about the PA who called nurses 'stupid' can be located by clicking on the link below:

https://allnurses.com/nurse-colleague-patient/dr-told-patient-1079389.html

Evidence? I didn't realize I had to provide evidence in a simple comment I shared. Is several nurses looking at one particular person and giggling / stifling their giggles not enough evidence? Then watching her walk away as they rolled their eyes and made other comments not enough evidence? I don't need them to include me in their comments in order to know what they're talking about, or who they're laughing at.

I thought the same thing. What seems obvious may or may not actually be true. Most of us have experienced a time when someone thought we were laughing at them or thought we were talking about them ...and it just wasn't the case.

There may be elements in these observed interactions that you didn't include in your original post ...but as it was written, it's only clear what you perceived to be happening, not what was actually happening.

Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

I wasn't this smart when I was 20 (or even 30, probably) - but we ALL have problems, make mistakes, struggle with this or that. I'm not saying a critical thought about someone never comes to mind, but I certainly would never ridicule anyone, and if I start to think too critically about someone else, I think 'Oh yeah, what about your own faults?'. Life is short. Better to treat others as you'd rather be treated. No, I'm not perfect about it, but I try to remember that.

Specializes in Hospice.
Evidence? I didn't realize I had to provide evidence in a simple comment I shared. Is several nurses looking at one particular person and giggling / stifling their giggles not enough evidence? Then watching her walk away as they rolled their eyes and made other comments not enough evidence? I don't need them to include me in their comments in order to know what they're talking about, or who they're laughing at.

I didn't intend to initiate a big debate. Your OP only stated that you saw the nurses laughing ... none of the other non-verbal clues you added in the post I just quoted. I was wondering what it was that convinced you that their laughter was mockery aimed at the applicant. You were there, I wasn't. Just looking for the reason you interpreted the behavior the way you did.

Specializes in Transitional Nursing.

I hope that wasn't the reason, but if she was morbidly obese it probably was. Totally not acceptable and she probably gets denied jobs all the time because of it.

On one hand, you wonder about the ability to perform the job and on the other hand if she can pass the physical she shouldn't be denied the opportunity to try.

Specializes in LTC Management, Community Nursing, HHC.
I didn't intend to initiate a big debate. Your OP only stated that you saw the nurses laughing ... none of the other non-verbal clues you added in the post I just quoted. I was wondering what it was that convinced you that their laughter was mockery aimed at the applicant. You were there, I wasn't. Just looking for the reason you interpreted the behavior the way you did.

I didn't intend to do so either, but was responding to your questions. It was pretty obvious to me, and to the ADON showing her around, that the bad behavior was directed towards the overweight nurse, but "management" discussed her weight as well, so we can't expect much from employees if management is also biased towards overweight people. As I mentioned in my OP, I wasn't expecting anything from sharing the info, just did so because I felt that it was a sad way to treat another RN, and another human being - no matter what their profession.

Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I've observed behavior like this many times in my nursing career. At my last place of employment, a group of adult women gave a morbidly obese RN the nickname "Mrs. Puff" behind her back, and called another, very tall overweight technician "Fullback" behind her back. They would watch, and make fun of, the amount of food these women consumed at holiday dinners and any occasion where employees brought food (baby showers, etc.) I also personally observed a nurse practitioner berate an obese RN for her weight and overall general poor health. When the RN stated, "But my weight has been stable for the last 10 years," the nurse practitioner replied with "That's not a good excuse! You need to lose weight!" Unfortunately, this kind of disdain and poor treatment of overweight health care workers does exist, and I think it's awful.

Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

I disagree that "those who care for others should be healthy and fit." I believe those who care for others should be knowledgeable, posess excellent critical thinking skills and excellent assessment skills, think quickly on their feet, be able to teach accurately and effectively, and be kind.

Excess adipose tissue doesn't negate those qualities.

I hope this situation you describe was an issue of timing, that someone just happened to make a joke around the time she was coming out.

If they were actually mocking her, shame on them.

Specializes in Cardiology, School Nursing, General.

I would have the same issue in my last job. They didn't bother me much except for lunch, we would get catering from pharmaceutical companies. I would eat a lot, but because I was hungry and didn't each much breakfast usually. They would always comment how much I ate and when they found out I was taking diabetic medication (Pre-diabetic), they would try to take away my sodas and desserts telling me it's bad for me. I had enough and told them off, that I know they are "trying" to help, but it's was bothering me and I am trying to lose weight, but them always commenting on my food intake and other things that is my business was getting too much. After that they stopped but I could see they didn't like me anymore because I stood up for myself. But I seriously hate when people comment on my food intake, this is why I have trust issues at work, but thankfully in my new job no one cares, so I can eat in peace and just chat with people.

Personally, I don't think anyone being overweight can affect their potential to be a nurse. My mother was overweight and was an EXCELLENT CNA, a position that requires much more physical labor than an RN position does (no offense guys). What matters most is the individual's compassion to help people and the ability to acquire and keep knowledge to be a nurse.

+ Add a Comment