To make a long story short I am a student and I write quite a bit about the experience of becoming a nurse.
So with that being said I have decided due to some recent developments that I am going to write about the cultural war on fat focused on nursing.
I am acquainted with a woman who is a critical care nurse. I have to tolerate her toxic presence in my life due to her association with my dude's friend. Now, I would like to mention I am no small girl and have gained and lost, and gained again 100lbs. I have finally gotten to the point where I am not beating myself up about it and see efforts now as a matter of love for my body rather than hate. Recently she said this (to me of all people), "I hate fat people so much. They smell, they are hard to move around, and I think they should all die in a hole somewhere."
A member of my clinical group said, "You know these doctors will get upset at the COPD patient who is smoking like three cigarettes a day but say nothing to these fatties who don't follow their diets." I stood up, looked very serious for a moment and said, "HEY! I am one of those fatties that don't follow their diet." Then we went a few rounds with her saying she wasn't talking about me because I am "an attractive fatty."
What does my face have to do with my extra 100lbs? Seriously?
In any case I'd like an open dialog about the war on fat in nursing.
Do you see it in your practice? Are you militant anti-fat? If so why?
I've noticed that a good deal of the arguments that I've heard is fat is unhealthy, yet no one seems to see fat as being a symptom and not the disease.
Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
This is the main problem, too many of us are being injured and something needs to be done! We need and deserve and must demand safe working conditions that include ceiling lifts and sit to stands! We should not have to be victims of a cheap hospital that treats us a disposable widgets to be cast off after we are left injured! It is the manager and hospital's responsibility to protect us and arm us with the tools we need to safely do the job! They must open their eyes and recognize the dangers we face in this obesity epidemic and do something to help us, not ignore us and shortchange us to save money for the budget!!!
When I was 18 and a brand new nurse I was lifting a CVA patient, 6'4'' 280 lbs, with a lift that broke and injured my back that needed back surgery and a spinal fusion. But should I treat that patient any different because he hurt me? Should I not want to care for all patients like him for fear of getting hurt? Because hospitals refuse to buy equipment makes it OK to discriminate against these patients? Is it really OK to treat them any different and with less respect?
When did we as nurses become so judgemental and lose our empathy? All those things they tell you to do....buy organic: sure but can you afford it? Why was the food supply allowed to be tampered with to begin with....as they lied to us. Buy organic...some people are on fixed incomes and can't afford to pay triple for their food. Ground meat is cheap and how do you stretch it....add pasta or rice.
We have medicine that fix erections (which a lack of one causes no health risks) but diet pills are out of the question. The obesity will going to kill me but so will the cure. It's all a gimmick......the older I get the more I believe in conspiracy theories. I have to pay twice the amount for "free range" chickens....why did they lock them up to begin with? Shooting up the cows with hormones, steroids and antibiotics...is this why auto-immune disorders are so prevalent?
Like I said before....an alcoholic that has been sober for 12 days gets a standing ovation I lose 12 pounds I get a that's nice but you have a long way to go. For those who have never struggled with real weight issues really have no clue how difficult it is. I hear a lot of It hurts me! What about me? They don't care for themselves, why do I have to take care of "Them"
What about that poor patient that sees the disgust on your face and hears every word you say? Do any of you realize how much carries to the patient's room when they have nothing better to do than listen to your conversations. Like brandy1027 said about "Them" and certianly know how "those" obese patietns hurt her. Do you realize they know you don't want to care for "them"? Is that fair?
There but for the grace of GOD go I.........A little empathy please.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
There are plenty of fat vegetarians out there, and veganism seems to cause extreme self-righteousness.
I think it's because you have to be extremely motivated to go through the time and expense and inconvenience involved there, especially the raw foods approach. You also have to believe in unfounded science and that any authority who says humans might actually need at least some meat or other complete protein are being dishonest.
There are some for whom it is not a crusade, though. They just choose their diets and don't attempt to convert others.
I have heard major complaints from my friends who are nurses because when a patient is morbidly obese, they are HEAVY! Nurses are throwing their backs out trying to help them
Perhaps there should be a minimum mandatory physical requirement to be allowed to be in the medical field? required gym time perhaps?
if the job requires moving people, and there's what? ..... 70%?? .... of the population is obese, then shouldn't you be required to be both physically and mentally able to do the job?
There's a reason you don't see people under 4 feet tall in the NBA.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Lifting obese people isn't a matter of whether or not one person can lift a person, but of inadequate staffing. You better have somebody tail the nurse out of the gym to make sure she doesn't stop off for a Western Bacon Cheeseburger on the way home.
Screw it... I'll type this then go make 2 just incase I want a second.
I know it's the more the merrier and all that, but the last time I was at the hospital, the nurse who took my bp and did the questionaire thing was so tiny.... standing up, the top of her head MIGHT have come to my sternum, and I'm only 5'9. She was also a very petite girl.... I'd be suprised if the average person couldn't give her a "bear hug" with one arm.
Sure, there's equipment to help and all that... but really... if there was some kind of emergency, and she had to move a big guy "right now", and nobody was there to help......that big guy wouldn't be going anywhere.
Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.
I know that some people poo-poo exercise, but I tell ya. I never felt better than when I was running 2+ miles a day, working a physical job outdoors, and getting enough sun and fresh air and exercise. I didn't want to eat a cheeseburger, I wanted to take care of my body.
As for taking care of obese patients... I don't like trying to transfer a 350 pound person on a slideboard who either can't or won't help themselves, just like I don't like trying to roll confused patients who push back at the wrong time and put our staff in the ER with strains and sprains.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Andy - you have a good sense of humor! :) The best solution really is what some other countries have - "lift laws". We know we aren't supposed to take the risk to the patient and ourselves when we need to transfer, help ambulate, etc a patient but the reality is that nurses, and more so CNAs do it every day as they view it as not having a choice.
Having empathy does not mean ignoring the obvious. Over indulging in drugs, alcohol, unsafe sex, food..... Can effect our overall health. A persons weight can determine the ability to care for a person, short staffing has seen to that. Being overweight does increase health problems which, in turn may decrease job performance and cost of insurance. Choices that are may everyday can exclude a person from a job. I can't smoke weed and have my job, so I don't smoke weed. If I want to work at the skinny hospital I need to eat less and workout more. At 5'6 170 pounds I am fluffy, I take personal accountablity for my love of doughnuts and lack of exercise.
That's a myth, a lie, or outright hippie propaganda... take your pick.
I'm a "huge fat guy", and have been to ther hospital for injury a few times, (mainly stitches from doing stupid things, not weight related crap) but it's been over 15 years since I've been there for illness.
Crazed, I have battled weight my whole life, I have been a nurse over half my life, I am 48 and finally realized why I overeat, and that DIETS dont work, its a lifestyle, and just like my choice to live for God, I dont always feel the need to "preach" what I believe, I just live it, if someone asks I will tell them what "I" believe. I have started eating a whole new way, just whole, real food, nothing processed and have lost 22 lbs in 3 months but I feel so much better, its not a diet but a new way of life, but, most people skinny, fat, medical, non medical ridicule me on my food choices, LOL Go figure. Whatever, it is what it is. But, I want to address a statement you made, "I've noticed that a good deal of the arguments that I've heard is fat is unhealthy, yet no one seems to see fat as being a symptom and not the disease" You, my dear, have the answer, right there, you wrote it. So, figure out why you eat the way you do, what you are feeding, hurt, disappoinment, boredom.... this list is endless, trust me I know. But, when YOU find the symptom for yourself you will find the answer. I am excited for you. Be happy, be healthy, dont worry about the number, just get comfortable in your own skin. We are always going to have chubby, obese, morbidly obese, super obese...on an on, I just wanna be comfortable and non judgemental. I am here to love and care for people not make thier lives harder by shoving their faults down their throats....just my opinion, and we all know what opinions are like...:)
On average obese women make 6700 a year less than their non-obese counterparts with the same skill sets and qualifications.
I'd be interested in the study that found this, particularly what other factors were controlled for when making the comparison? Did it control for days of missed work? How did it control for the quality of PERFORMANCE of the "same" skill set? (e.g. I know that as I gained weight, I became slower, which I didn't realize until I began to lose weight and saw how much faster I could do some things.) There are just so many factors that go into deciding whether someone "deserves" a pay raise and/or promotion.
That said, I would not be surprised to find that there is at least some degree of discrimination (whether conscious or unconscious) against obese employees. I just wonder what percentage of that pay differential is due to discrimination vs other factors.
If you are 100 lbs overweight, and a nurse, do you not think that it is hypocrisy to try and promote healthy eating habits as part of any preventative teaching to your patients.How would they take you serious if you try to tell them to stay within a healthy weight range.I just find this so funny.I have worked in many areas and have had to look after many obese patients.Lifting,dragging,tearining myself to pieces.You may end up on the other side with a nurse trying to move your fat ass around .Be a good example to your patients.I would also like to point out that I have worked side by side with many obese nurses.They to not carry their workload like a healthy nurse would.
Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN
20,908 Posts
When I was 18 and a brand new nurse I was lifting a CVA patient, 6'4'' 280 lbs, with a lift that broke and injured my back that needed back surgery and a spinal fusion. But should I treat that patient any different because he hurt me? Should I not want to care for all patients like him for fear of getting hurt? Because hospitals refuse to buy equipment makes it OK to discriminate against these patients? Is it really OK to treat them any different and with less respect?
When did we as nurses become so judgemental and lose our empathy? All those things they tell you to do....buy organic: sure but can you afford it? Why was the food supply allowed to be tampered with to begin with....as they lied to us. Buy organic...some people are on fixed incomes and can't afford to pay triple for their food. Ground meat is cheap and how do you stretch it....add pasta or rice.
We have medicine that fix erections (which a lack of one causes no health risks) but diet pills are out of the question. The obesity will going to kill me but so will the cure. It's all a gimmick......the older I get the more I believe in conspiracy theories. I have to pay twice the amount for "free range" chickens....why did they lock them up to begin with? Shooting up the cows with hormones, steroids and antibiotics...is this why auto-immune disorders are so prevalent?
Like I said before....an alcoholic that has been sober for 12 days gets a standing ovation I lose 12 pounds I get a that's nice but you have a long way to go. For those who have never struggled with real weight issues really have no clue how difficult it is. I hear a lot of It hurts me! What about me? They don't care for themselves, why do I have to take care of "Them"
What about that poor patient that sees the disgust on your face and hears every word you say? Do any of you realize how much carries to the patient's room when they have nothing better to do than listen to your conversations. Like brandy1027 said about "Them" and certianly know how "those" obese patietns hurt her. Do you realize they know you don't want to care for "them"? Is that fair?
There but for the grace of GOD go I.........A little empathy please.