Setting a bad example?

[mattcastens]

I am curious about what people think about working nurses who are extremely out of shape, obese, smokers, etc.

I work in a CVICU where a good portion of the nurses are overweight and out of shape, as well as a couple of smokers. I can't imagine that this makes a good impression on patients when these nurses sit down for teaching about risk factors, or to the general public when they come to visit.

I'm not saying that I am a prime example of fitness, and I'm not saying that nurses need to be triathletes to set a good example. I also realize that there is the added problem of addiction that is hard to overcome.

I guess I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that it bothers me. Thoughts anyone?

[RNKitty]

Not junk food? You haven't seen our hospital!

One night they actually sent up a deep fat fried fish sandwich on a pure white bun, with a white dinner roll, and 3/4 of a cup of boiled peas. I'm not kidding - I measured. The salads are full of nitrates to preserve them, the fruit comes IN the jello. Coffee - not decaf - in the PM for a nursing mom.

[RNKitty]

One hospital I worked at actually had a McDonald's IN the hospital!!!! I kid you not - Valley Medical Center in Renton, WA.

[VAC]

RN Kitty

I agree about hospitals setting examples with patient meals. We have a McDonalds in our hospital,too, so if the patient doesn't like what theyre served, they often send a family member down to get them something from McDonalds, (assuming they're allowed to eat). I also feel the same about the dairy based tube feeding liquids,, wouldn't it be healthier to send puree'd real food down those feeding tubes?? Just my opinion, and I know I'm getting off the topic here.

[mattcastens]

Interesting points above. I wonder, though, if it's so important to model proper eating in the cafeteria, why isn't it appropriate to ask about modeling proper eating habits with our own physical fitness?

(Not that RNKitty and VAC have been disagreeing with me, but it's a good point.)

[night owl]

help me please help me please help me please

[debbyed]

If a nurses personal habits do not affect her care, why should it be anyone elses business what she does. If perfection is to be a job requirement I know that my ER would have no staff, at least half of our ER doctors are smokers as well.

[LilgirlRN, ADN, RN]

You want the good looking nurse to take care of you or you want the one who knows her/his shit? You don't always get both, very rarely as a matter of fact.

[Q.]

Just to bring up a point:

Healthy does not equal good looking. Being physically attractive has nothing to do with practicing healthy habits.

I think too many people think that healthy = beautiful, and thus get defensive about the whole concept.

[defibvt]

Originally posted by thisnurse

seeing as how customer service is such a big part of our jobs now, how bout we let patients order their nurses from a nurse menu

1. blonde, brunette, redhead, other

2. diploma, adn, bsn, masters, other

3. smoking, nonsmoking,other

4. petite, small, medium, large, extra large, other

5. PERKY, serious, ditzy, other

6. male, female, other

Sarcasm. I love it. You hit the nail on the head. What it comes down to is a personal choice. How I lead my life outside of work is my business, as long as, it doesn't affect the quality of patient care.

I too work in an ICU, and I am not finding those teaching moments as Matt described. Most of my patients are sleeping at night or I "encourage" them too.

[OneChattyNurse]

Since I am both overweight and a smoker, I was not going to reply to this post for fear of being thought of as a defensive, fat, smoker. But...I feel I must make a couple of points.

1) I have seen MANY nurses (that are all different sizes) that are very well groomed and extremely professional. On the other hand, I have seen MANY nurses (again, all different sizes) that are quite unkept, have wrinkled uniforms, and are downright nasty individuals, let alone nurses! As a patient, I would much rather have a professional, well kept, pleasant nurse caring for me regardless of his/her size.

2) As far a being a role model or setting a good example for my patients goes........I am an overweight, smoking nurse...BUT...I do not drink excessively, do drugs, I am clean, well groomed, I am happily married with 2 great kids who I do not neglect, I do not cheat on my husband, and I am a very caring compassionate individual. I guess what I am trying to say is that I can be a very good role model for my patients in some ways even though I am overweight and I happen to smoke.

3) I realize that eating disorders in which people are overweight are the most visible, there are also others that are just as serious, but do not have the overt negative views. How can an aneorexic or bulemic possibly be able to give appropriate patient education effectively since he/she does not practice healthy eating habits. This scenario does not have the negative connotations as the obese person because (except for extreme cases) these people LOOK like what society has deemed as normal.

Anyway...I just felt like putting in my 2 cents worth.

Shari

[rosy]

Originally posted by oramar

I thought all the nurses at Lake Woebegone were above average.

Only the ones who grew up there

[mcl4]

Again, this conversation stems from your apparent surprise that teaching (on any unit) is done (ever) on night shift. Teaching is done 24/7 on Labor and Delivery. And I don't think we are bad nurses and you should have been MORE shocked if we would have sent them home rested, but CLUELESS about thier own body and thier baby. [/b]

I never stated you are bad nurses and I spoke from my own experience. I also believe most, not all, moms are better educated today about their bodies and seek out information during their pregnancy.