Petite Nurses

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I'm sure alot of people have questions about working as a nurse and being overweight but mine is the opposite. Im currently a prenursing student at The University of Arizona and im concerned that when I am in nursing school and then when im out in the real world that my small size will hinder me. I am 5'2 and I weigh 100 pounds sopping wet, ive always been thin thanks to a high metabolism, running track, tennis and a healthy diet. Im mostly concerned about not being able to lift move and generally handle my patients as well as people who weigh more or have more muscle density to them(which i have very little, I can bearley lift 40 pounds). Should I consider working out and upping my calorie intake in preparation for what lies ahead or am I going to be okay being petite?

I have worked several places that have done testing to make sure i can push/pull 50 pounds. I am 5'6" and was 120 pounds when I graduated from college and I found it difficult, at times to assist patients. Ask for help when you need it and use gait belts, lifts, etc. to protect yourself and your patients. maybe you will want to work in a dept. that doesn't require heavy lifting-peds, neonatal, etc.

otessa

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Petite nurses are usually awesome at kneeling on the pts bed while doing CPR. When I worked in CVICU and we had a pt go bad and had to go back to the OR, our tiniest nurse would be the one to do compressions while they rolled the bed back. Lisa

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Specializes in Orthopedics.

I'm 5'2 105 pounds and agree the hardest part is finding scrubs that fit and doesn't look like i'm playing in someone's closet. And limited at what I can buy on top of that because we have to wear blue pants and white shirts.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

Hello fellow short peoples! I'm 5'0''. Often, I've found it's not necessarily how much you can lift, but how you lift or move the weight. Good body mechanics are key to keeping yourself injury-free. Pay attention to your physical therapists where you work and ask them for tips. Make sure you know where the nearest step-stool or tall person is (whom you should immediately befriend ;)). :)

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

I am 5'1.5 (got to get that half inch in there!) and 108 with clothes on. Luckily since I work in L&D I do not do much lifting of patients over 10-12 lbs. Lifting should never be done alone. Some hospitals have lift teams and lift devices ranging from electronic lifts to mattresses that inflate and slide around like hover planes even with obese people.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

For what it's worth, my tips on dressing as a petite nurse:

1) Make sure your uniforms or scrubs fit well--too big and you look like you're playing dress-up in your big sis's clothes, too small--uncomfortable and unprofessional looking.

2) Unless your work in peds or NICU avoid juvenile prints, people just don't take you seriously.

3) Look for shorter tops that end at the hip line, a longer looking leg will make you appear taller.

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Specializes in Mostly geri :).

Ok, my fellow short, tiny people: I'm glad we can all do so well with our underestimated-by coworkers-strength. To the original poster:I've actually never seen someone have trouble lifting except one cowrker who came to work under the influence of....who knows what. Petite scrubs are not always easy to find, you may need to get shirts and pants hemmed. Ahhh the delight of finding XS uniforms..........

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Specializes in Gastro, ICU - US nurse moved to UK.

NICU is always a good option!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Orthopedics, Hospitalists.

I work with adults, and what's funny is that I often seem to get assigned to the "big-uns!" For example, tonight I'm working with two (TWO) patients who are 400lbs ++!

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