Plus size nursing students

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I hope to be attending nursing school in the fall. Those nursing students out there who are plus sized: did you have any problems getting the uniforms in the larger sizes? My biggest fear is getting there and the largest size they have would not fit me.

Thanks

Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

If I remember correctly, our official nursing student uniform were made by Landau. They were awful...then in my junior year we were allowed to wear scrubs--all the same color (royal blue)...also by Landau. We had to go to the uniform store and be fitted for our original uniform as most were special orders anyway. Now that I'm an RN and plus size, fluffy, whatever....;) I get my pants from Landau as they offer tall and a lot of my tops come from Peaches brand. Great colors and prints. I often get comments on them, like the scrub top I had on last night with flowers on it in lots of colors.

Specializes in GICU-WE GET IT ALL.

I definatly know what you mean bookworm.

"The next problem I have to tackle: We have to practice assessments on each other and the 'patient' can only be in their bra and panties....:o "

For my assessment lab at my school we had to do most of the systems on each other. Including breasts and axilla. NO bra, and our final practicum we draw a system out of a hat and my partner drew breast. So there I am, naked from my waist up with three of my instructors watching and some girl I've known for 6 weeks. Talk about embarassing!:uhoh3:

For those tall and fluffy women out there (like me), I have had great success with Lydia's pro-series scrubs. If you are required to buy a certain brand, this may not help, but I bought an XLT in the flare pants and they are perfect. They come in a lot of colors, too. The website is http://www.lydiasuniforms.com/ and if you register with the site you get a code for free shipping with an order of more than $50. :)

I had similar fears about how the uniform would look and fit. Our school had custom style uniform tops (any white pants were acceptable) and we could only buy them at one store. I called the store and inquired ahead of time about sizing. I was one of the first to purchase the uniform because I heard they only ordered so many of each size. Students who waited until the last minute, ran into a few issues. Don't want until the last minute. Everything worked out.

I had to accept myself in my less than perfect body, made sure my uniform was neatly pressed, hair in place, and went out in the clinical community with a professional attitude. My presence in the clinical setting was about helping others and being therapeutic (they teach this to students in nursing school, which is required curriculum on how to be nonjudgmental).

In my nursing school, the only clinical assessments we did in our groups were B/P, pulse, respiratory, heart sounds. We were told to wear comfortable clothing the days for these skills. All other clinical skills were performed on manikens and the patients in the hospital. You will find a clinical partner who you will be able to trust.

Personally, I felt uncomfortable on a few occasions, but I realized I had to surrender to the process.

One of the positive benefits of attending nursing school was the awareness of how uncomfortable I was about my own body image. This helped me to bring greater sensitivity to every patient I worked with in the clinicals. I also gained more knowledge about taking better care of myself. It is a slow process and I have lost 20 pounds in the past year (making small changes).

On topic, my nursing school picked the place we had to get our scrubs and they had every size imaginable and we all looked pretty good. Well, maybe not the larger girl who wore really tight white pants with a blue thong, but most of us looked cute!

I am a larger person myself for sure. It may not appear that I swim 45 minutes/day and can do a 40 mile bike ride, but I most certainly do. I did this throughout school plus worked 2 part time jobs too. I think I am going to do a fine job of representing health care, but thanks for your concern.

Thanks to all for giving me your experiences.

Peace

The uniform company we were instructed to buy from did not have a size to fit one of our students. He bought white scrubs instead. I am sure that the administration will make a concession if their provider is unable to fit you (it's not your fault). They also let this guy buy white running shoes because he couldn't find nursing shoes to fit.

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

CLosed for staff review.

moderator note:

come on, guys! we should all know the rules here.

- no personal attacks - we stick to discussing the issues rather than the people. this is intended as a reminder to people on both sides of the issue that has come up.

- if you see an attacking post, report it rather than responding. it's a lot harder to "clean things up" when we've sent barbs back and forth to each other like a tennis match.

let's return to the topic as introduced by the original poster. i think this can be a productive thread that remains in public view if we take traumarus's advice and stay on topic!

Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Thread is now reopened.

Please respect one another and maintain a flame-free atmosphere and carry on with friendly debate.;)

Suzy mentioned something that I hadn't thought of - I'm not plus-sized (yet, but haven't so much been working out since NS started) but I am 6 feet tall. There are only 2 brands of jeans that fit me, and it hadn't even crossed my mind to worry about scrubs. Thankfully, we just have to have all white, and can buy from anyone. I'm making a note that Landau offers tall - does anyone else? Thanks!

i think Dickies offers tall sizes...but i'm 5'3 on a good day with shoes on, i know nothing of the vertically gifted :(

Is it the norm for students to practice on eachother? i'm waaaay too fat to do the bra/panties thing in public :bluecry1:

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