Overweight travel nurses!!

Specialties Travel

Published

I'm currently a Critical care nurse and very interested in traveling. I have done my research and decided on the top 4 travel agencies that I will be applying to. There is nothing holding me back from moving forward EXCEPT my weight! I know this may sound ridiculous, but I have this mental block that I have to be more fit before I begin traveling. I am a very strong, confident person who rarely allows my weight to prevent me from doing what I want. My weight has NEVER interfered with my job performance at all. I have lost 35lbs over the last 4 months from working out 4-5 times a week and changing my eating habits. With all of that said, I have a few questions. Am I able to become a travel nurse being overweight? Are there any current/recent overweight travel nurses who can share your experience with being a travel nurse? Should I lose some more weight before I travel? Should I just try and get over this mental block and go for it??

Thanks in advance for your intelligent and professional responses!

Specializes in ICU/PACU.

Oh lord you sound like me. Lol. I'm overweight and have traveled 5 years no problem. I am very insecure and my weight still prevents me from doing things. I worked with another overweight travel nurse and everyone loved her. I think of her when i start hearing those insecure thoughts like oh no these people are going to dislike me because I'm overweight.

Before I started I said the same thing. No way am I moving to CA without losing 50 lbs first. Well that didn't happen. But I did move to CA and started traveling and ended up losing weight. It's funny because I've met several other travelers from the south who lose 20 lbs quickly after moving here.

Congrats on the weight loss btw. While traveling I lost 60 lbs but due to a bad breakup and my emotional eating I've gained 40 of it back. It sucks being fat. I feel your pain. Good luck!! You'll be fine.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.

miam really!! 92lbs (I think I would like to hate you :cheeky:) having trouble gaining weight!!! I wish I had that problem of trouble gaining weight.

Op, I think as others said continue on your healthy journey as I do and you will be ok. God Bless

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jtmarcy12: dont hate me because i have a hard time gaining weight :). I do sympathize with people who are overweight, even though i have never completly understood it. Like i said, sometimes i get flack for being on the short side even though i cant make myself stretch, so i know its hard to be judged for anything that we feel we have a hard time controlling.

As for the question of is it hard to meet people i would say as a rule yes, you def have to be the one to get out there and do things. There is always the pssibility of becoming friends with other travelers and staff nurses, and you can develop some terrific buddies, but it can also get very lonely if you expect other people to make the first move. You def have to be ok with being by yourself.

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I'm 40-50 pounds overweight myself, and I'm in my mid 40s. I don't see what that's got to do with travel nursing. Maybe you have an image in your head of travel nurses as young, thin people. Whatever it is, you should get over it. :)

A quote that I like comes to mind, it goes something like, "There's nothing standing between you and your goal except the bullsh*t story you keep telling yourself." Sounds like you're using your weight as an excuse for why you can't be a travel nurse. I can certainly understand that, I've made my share of excuses in my lifetime. Sometimes we're our own worst enemies. But I'm calling bullsh*t on you here. Go for it!

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"There's nothing standing between you and your goal except the bullsh*t story you keep telling yourself."

THIS is my new favorite quote. And so very true. Thanks!

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Being overweight and traveling to Southern Cal, I was afraid I wouldn't be accepted....it has yet to be a problem for me. I have met great people and I absolutely loved it!!

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Before I started I said the same thing. No way am I moving to CA without losing 50 lbs first. Well that didn't happen. But I did move to CA and started traveling and ended up losing weight. It's funny because I've met several other travelers from the south who lose 20 lbs quickly after moving here.

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This is exactly what I've told myself over and over; that I have to lose this weight before taking a travel assignment. Then I quickly realize that I don't have to stop losing weight just because I begin traveling. To be completely honest, sometimes I think that I can lose this weight before traveling, then eat whatever I want and stop exercising while traveling. WRONG MINDSET!! I know!!! But I do think that way sometimes!! Then a couple of seconds later, I realize that's not the way to go about it, because I will still have to maintain!. Thank you so much for your response!!

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A quote that I like comes to mind, it goes something like, "There's nothing standing between you and your goal except the bullsh*t story you keep telling yourself." Sounds like you're using your weight as an excuse for why you can't be a travel nurse. I can certainly understand that, I've made my share of excuses in my lifetime. Sometimes we're our own worst enemies. But I'm calling bullsh*t on you here. Go for it!

You have definitely called me out!! I have informed several people about my interest in travel nursing, but I give the excuse of, "Yea I'm gonna travel once I lose some weight!" You hit the nail right on the head!! Travel nursing is my goal and I'm going for it! Thanks your real and HONEST response!!

P.S. I will be using that quote in the near future!! Such a true statement!!

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Girl-I totally understand why you are asking this question. I was 230 (on a 5'2 frame) when I started considering traveling. I worked my ass off in a busy labor/delivery but for some reason thought because I wasnt in top shape I would make a bad traveler too. I ended up losing down to 140 and then gaining back to 165. I am a stress eater and there is a LOT of stress while traveling. And trying to maintain a diet without knowing day to day whether you will even have a fridge or not is a joke. Plus we all know our bodies carry weight when we are stressed. Ive been dragging around frush fruit, my nutriblender, protien bars, and shredding those rotesserie grilled chickens from walmart and living off portable snacks like nuts and pre-made protien shakes. Its not easy or cheap to not eat out every meal. And when I have a rough night I still run to McDonalds in the morning for a hash brown and a small coke (carbs have always been my demon) but Ive managed to maintain my weight. Its a bummer to be eating so well and not LOSE any weight but the last two months ive been super late on my always on perfect time periods too so I know my body is in a stress state. Also, if it makes you feel any better-the hospital Im traveling at hires a lot of travelers who have been doing this for a long time and not a single one of them is under 40 pounds overweight and they seem to do fine. :) Good luck!

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