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I am 4 foot 10 and weigh roughly 90 pounds. Will that be a problem in nursing?
I'd have to say, yes, it will occassionally be a bit of a problem, and you'll work around it.
The physical therapist who taught me how to do bed-to-chair transfers wasn't much bigger than you. She was a vivid example of the importance of technique vs. brute force.
One of the nurses I work with is considerably smaller than you. She's a good nurse, but needs a stepstool handy to reach things. Not much help with lifts, of course, but takes care of her patients. There's a physical element to nursing, no doubt, but the mental side is what makes nurses indispensible. Also, no matter how big and strong you are, everyone has limitations. Working within those limitations is how you keep from getting hurt.
Buying scrubs--now that could be tough.
You might find your size to be an inconvenience at times, for example having to stand on a stool to reach something, but it should not be a serious impediment. I've known some very good nurses who just happened to be "vertically challenged." Not needing to use a footstool to reach something on a shelf doesn't make someone a better nurse (or doctor- I had an epidural put in by an anesthesiologist who had to use a footstool!)
I worked for years with a nurse who is about your height, and she weighed 85 pounds. I am almost 5'9 and... er... uh... MUCH heavier than her... so when it was just her and I, baths and lifting could be challenging, LOL!! We made it work, though... and she was one of the best nurses I've ever worked with.
You'll be fine. :)
BiologyNerd
111 Posts
I am 4 foot 10 and weigh roughly 90 pounds. Will that be a problem in nursing?