The FIT Nurse

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 4, 2015

Hello! So while I was in nursing school, I noticed a lot of nurses were unhealthy and overweight. Yes, we have little or no time to take breaks and eat, yes, we are constantly on our feet and get too tired to go to the gym, and, yes, we neglect our own health to take care of others. But, we need to be healthy and fit in order to take care of those in need. There are no excuses. That is why I think ALL nurses should practice what they preach!
I am a new RN. I have experienced the nurse life throughout nursing school, and will continue the nurse life for many more years to come. Before I decided to become a nurse, I worked in a gym since I was 15 (I am 23, almost 24 now). I started off as unhealthy, overweight, and unmotivated. When my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer and DM2 back in 2010, our whole lives changed. Our diets and exercise habits completely did a 180. I realized that this unhealthy lifestyle we were living, was doing damage to us. From that moment on, I decided to get motivated, become healthy, and put my father on the right track to becoming healthy as well (which, now, he is free of cancer and maintaining his DM2 via diet and no meds). I asked for help from a trainer at my gym (who has now been my boyfriend for over 2 years), who got me into shape, have a clean diet, and not only lose weight, but also maintain the weight loss. Diet and exercise is a lifestyle.
I am currently the healthiest I have ever been in my life. I workout everyday for at least 1 hour, including cardio and weights. On my 12 hour clinical days, I skipped the gym because that is already a workout in itselfâ€¦.and let's face it, by the time we get home, we get ready for bed and sleep. I made sure to have a healthy, consistent diet on my shifts. I currently still work part-time at my gym, while applying for hospital positions. The manger and owner of the gym offered me positions as a personal trainer. I am working on getting my personal training certificate. I don't want to just be that typicalâ€ nurse. I want to be that FIT nurse, who works hard, trains hard, and is a positive example to patients.
I think that ALL nurses and those in the healthcare field should practice what they preach. How can we tell patients to take their BP meds and Cholesterol meds, if we don't? How can we tell them to exercise every day, if we don't? What type of example are we to them?
What do you guys think?

OHHHHHH, here we go again.

I think it's great that you're fit and healthy, but you're awfully smug and self-righteous about it and that's unattractive. Not everyone has time to go to the gym . . . or the money to pay for a gym membership. My friend has six kids -- she manages to find time to work out once a week or so, which is better than nothing, but certainly isn't going to keep her "fit" and "healthy." Eating right is great -- but it takes a lot of time, energy and constant thought. People may have other life challenges that are at the forefront of their brain.

Now I intend to read the other responses and fully expect to see a bunch of "fat nurse" bashing.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 4, 2015

I agree with the original poster. Most nurses are extremely unhealthy and hypocritical. How can they expect a patient to become healthy when they are not healthy or setting a good example? most hospitals do have a gym. They should not charge any fees for staff to be able to work out. obesity is the major physical downfall of the human race and a huge inconvenience to the entire world. Have you ever had to take care of an obese patient? It is terrible! it ruins my entire shift when I have to take care of an obese patient. It is a drain on the entire unit. They require special equipment and I have no pity for them. Obesity is the fault of the patient every single time. There is no genetic abnormality that makes adipose tissue and calories spontaneously appear. they almost always have diabetes, they require more than one meal tray, a special bed, special chairs, more staff to complete their activities of daily living, a lot more medications, usually have sleep apnea, usually have high blood pressure and almost always have venous stasis ulcers or a yeast infection that stinks really bad. And worst of all they are usually grumpy people with poor attitudes and they are seemingly angry at people who have taken care of themselves.
Keep it real.

OK. We're not just bashing fat nurses, we're bashing fat PEOPLE in general.

allnurses Guide · Mar 4, 2015

You are going to be fine, NN. If your post generated thought within yourself then you are already on your way to being a better nurse. I am envious of your 24 years more than anything. I was fit and healthy then too. Life happens. Metabolism changes. Marriage falls apart, financial woes creep in, bodies change after pregnancy, a child dies, injuries occur, disease takes hold etc. be gentle with others. Be gentle with yourself.

TheGooch · Mar 4, 2015

Even though I seem to have hurt many on here, my feelings are hurt as well. I had no intentions of making people upset. Some are judging me the same way they think I am judging them (I am not). If you feel I am wrong, then why say some hurtful things to me? I understand everyone has an opinion. I was not pointing my fingers at anyone specific. In general, I was just talking about being healthy. So again, I apologize, and should have NOT posted this. Hopefully, you all will understand.

Your original post could be directed at ALL healthcare professionals not just nurses. I mean, how many overweight MA, CNAs, Physicians, Physician Assistants are there in medicine. The medical field is full of people who need to lose weight.

There is one thing that I found interesting in your post though. You stated that when you had 12 hour clinicals you didn't work out for your hour that day because you felt that you had a work out while working and just wanted to go to sleep when you got home. Most nurses have 12 hour shifts and barely have time to eat so how do you plan on sticking to the plan you have?

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2015

I think there needs to be major changes. If you skip gym on your 12 hour clinical day, will you decrease your workout time if you work 3 12s? It is not a workout in of itself.

I think we need to get rid of 12 hour shifts. It is a lot harder to work out, have a healthy meal, etc with 12 hour shifts. Nursing also needs to have laws regarding mandatory staffing and requiring lunch breaks. When I say that, a lot of people use the defense "that's the way it has been." Oh and 3 12s in a row? Not healthy. I am quitting a job over 3 and 4 12s that I am forced to work in a row.

I think nursing of itself is damaging the nurses through the way we schedule with 12s, long hours, no mandatory breaks and lunches, etc. One big issue is that you haven't started working as a nurse.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 4, 2015

I have definitely upset many on here. I should have been more careful, as I know this is a touchy subject. Therefore, I will have this post deleted by admin. I am a kind person, and by no means do I judge anyone. Yes, I realize this post appears very judgmental. And it is my bad. Like I said, I am new to this and I am also a new RN. I do not have experience like other who have been on the job longer. I apologize. Thanks for listening.

You're not demonstrating your kindness on this thread, nor are you demonstrating a lack of judgement. In fact, you're demonstrating the opposite. The fact that you caught on and are deleting your post is a small point in your favor, but doesn't negate the original unkindness, cluelessness and hypocrisy.

NN, RN · Mar 4, 2015

I am really not smug or self-righteous. I was trying to promote a healthy lifestyle. If you really knew me and my past, perhaps it would help more. I understand my post may have seen awfully judgmental. I know people are busy and may not have time for the gym or eating healthy. I am sorry. I am learning like everyone else. I want to be the best nurse possible, as I know many of you are. Thank u.

TheGooch · Mar 4, 2015

Am I the only one that found this WAY more offensive than how the OP originally came off? I am not even going to address what I felt was a bit off by the OP because I have seen her apologize like 20 times now. The idea that someone would take this position with a vulnerable patient who happens to be obese is appalling.

The OP post came from a bright eyed and bushy tail 24 year old who thinks nurses should be an example to patients. She didn't bash obese patients like this post. If anything I think the OP would be an excellent advocate for her patients when it comes to people like that.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 4, 2015

Well, you see, I struggle with my weight as well due to my extremely slow metabolism. I know I can gain weight easily, even at this young age. I just meant being "healthy." My family has a history of hypothyroidism. I guess this post was too harsh. I should have chosen some words wisely.

The post was too harsh, but the attitude was also ugly. You've apologized for the post, but not for the attitude. As far as your feelings getting hurt -- you put out a judgemental, nasty post and people let you know how it came across. Hopefully you've learned from the situation -- not just to post more wisely, but also about how you cannot judge fat people just by looking at them.

martymoose, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2015

Libby1987 · Mar 4, 2015

I said that *I* eat a poptart in the car, but guess what? I'm a 20-year old who lifts weights 6 days a week, along with doing cardio 3 days a week. I can afford that poptart. People need to take their own physical activity levels into consideration when accepting dietary advice from strangers on the Internet. However, do not think that because of what I say I eat for breakfast on the morning of a 12-hour shift determines if I am healthy or not.
It's funny you call it an "absurdity". Everything is okay in moderation. It's not like I told the person to douse a cupcake in chocolate syrup and wash it down with a can of Pepsi. As for your suggestion, almonds are a good source of fat as are most nuts, but even those can be bad for you if consumed in excess.
Also, yes, I took your post personally because I know I'm the one you were talking about. So consider that that person might be reading what you say before you indirectly call someone out. I would say as someone who goes to the gym 6 days a week: yes, I prioritize fitness.

Unless you've changed your name, you're not even on the thread referenced.

On looking back, the PopTart didn't come as the suggestion (though the suggestion was equally in the junk food category) but the absurd part was that it was in the health forum. Why would anyone educated in a health science, or possess computer search skills, suggest grossly over processed food in a health forum?

TexMex22 · Mar 4, 2015

Not really, you have to have some fat to make the meat more tasty.

Bacon! It makes everything better!

That's the reason real I'm fluffy! :rolleyes: