ScoobieSnack

How about we hold hands and jump off our soapboxes together.

We are discussing overweight nurses, some of which their weight effects their ability to do a proper job, and, others that are overweight who suffer no loss in job performance at all. In fact, some of the best nurses I know are overweight. As stated in my last post, my purpose inposting to this thread was to support/agree with the OP who got flamed for stating what I believe to be mostly correct. At no time did I think the OP was implying that every nurse that is overweight/obese can't do their job. However,when I started to read post after post that flamed her by stating that they knew of an obese nurse or CNA that rocked, therefore implying that she was wrong, or, attacked her personally for her opinions, I continued to post in support, and, got lit up as well. The CDC considers obesity the #1 health issue in the U.S.because of its negative effects on us both physically and emotionally. As you know, floor nursing is both a physical and emotional job, and to somehow believe that obesity spares only us nurses from its effects, as many on this thread would like to believe is just mind boggling.

Hi Imintrouble, I said physically unfit not fat unfit, I even defined unfit as incompetent or incapable, not by body type, so please do not twist my words to fit your agenda. The point(s) I was trying to make with my post are this. 1.The OP had some valid points in her post. 2. That if you’re physically unfit (incapable) to properly care for your patients, whether it be from lack of sleep, poor eating habits, drinking too much, and yes being overweight or obese,then patient care suffers. To think otherwise just because it’s a sensitive subject is nonproductive. Never did I state that being overweight makes you unfit to be a nurse. Heck, my BMI is close to 30 and I’d like to think I do an okay job.

Wow, and I thought nurses could cut thru the crap, NDB, where in the heck did I ever state, let alone imply, that superhuman (ubermensch) traits are a requirement for nursing? Also, the word I used in my post was unfit, which is described in Merriam Webster as incompetent or incapable. How you construed that to mean I thought only perfect folks should be nurses is beyond me.

Hey Brandon, Since all your comments relate to points 3 thru 5, I will assume you agree with the other points made by the OP. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Patients do pay the price with unfit nurses, whether it be mentally unfit, intellectually unfit, or physically unfit, especially with the grind of 12 hour shifts most of us work. To think otherwise in my opinion is naïve. You are correct that I have never seen a patient "pay the price" because their obese nurse could not win a 26+ mile race. However, on many occasions I have seen patient care suffer because an obese nurse simply lacked the energy and stamina to deliver care at the end of shift anywhere near the quality of care delivered at the beginning. As to your last paragraph, I am not sure how the whole judgmental, perfection, vices, and virtue comments relate to the discussion. However, I think many of us would agree that when we take care of ourselves physically and emotionally we are better at nursing then when we don't. Of course, as stated in my original post there are always exceptions.

Talk about killing the messenger! The OP is generally correct with his/her statements.Sure, there are always exceptions. So, please enlighten me with the specifics as to which statement by the OP put a bee in your bonnet. 1. I’ve been seeing a lot of obese nurses lately. 2. In my opinion it's not setting the right example. 3. If someone codes or there's a fire a nurses who is huge can't run to get to/from the emergency. 4. Another example ... CPR! It's exhausting. 5. If you're not fit to do it...should that patient pay the price? It's so hypocritical. 6. I understand with long shifts and not much sleep... Gaining weight is extremely easy to do. 7. However, choosing healthy food options (not vending machines and Pepsi’s) and staying active even on your days off is important.

What about lymphoma? Check out the what looks like small masses on both sides of the trach. Also, elevated lactate is a classic sign of lymphoma. Final answer = Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Sarcoidosis? Possibly triggered by exposure to chemicals/dust at dads business.

Definitely! If Senor NCLEX discovers you don't know la infectiona, he will beat you like a human piñata with mucho mas like questions.

Hi Clairealex, What resources are you using to prepare? Also, I am curious as to what the differences are between the UK and US RN test.

YEP! Pneumothorax.

Yes, 3 weeks is enough, especially if you just concentrate on your weak points. Also, this is how I would prepare differently knowing what I now know. 1. Limit study time on A&P type content and disease processes because that’s not what the NCLEX is about. Exceptions to the above would be any area you’re really weak at, especially, maternal, peds,mental health, renal/dialysis, and endocrine/DM. 2. Concentrate study time on areas of nursing knowledge that you will use regardless of what specialty you choose to work in. i.e. what patient to see 1st, delegation, safety, breathing treatments, pain control, INFECTION CONTROL(precautions), personnel protective equipment, positioning, what patients to place with other patients based on diagnosis or infectious process, ordered responses, for example trach care, and legal/ethical/cultural topics. etc.

I used ATI, Saunders 5th, LaCharity PDA, and the NCSBN online review (50$ for 3 weeks). Also, a couple of days before my test I got my hands on the Kaplan review book and really liked it. All the above were helpful, and, even though at first I thought the NCSBN review really sucked, once I got use to its format/quirks it became my favorite.

Took the NCLEX on June 3rd and passed w/75 questions. After taking my test and speaking to many of my classmates who have also taken their NCLEX, here's my advice. 1. Don't pay any attention to what type of questions (SATA, hard, easy etc.) you get because every test is so different it just doesn't matter. 2. Be prepared for a test unlike any prior nursing test you've taken. Its hard to explain why this is, but when you finish you'll understand. 3. You will miss a lot of questions. You will see stuff you've never studied. You might get a give me or two if your lucky. 4. If this was a test in school you would fail miserably, its not, remind yourself of this every time you start to doubt yourself. 5. Many and I mean many of these questions they don't expect you to know the answer. Just use the processes you been taught i.e. ABC, Maslow, etc. and you will be all right 6. If you go past 75 questions try to look at it as starting over. There not sure you are above the passing level yet, you weren't when you started either! Hope this helps and Good Luck!