There's nothing worse than a FAT nurse!

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Ok, I'm sure that title made you want to throw up in your mouth. I don't blame you. I felt the same way when my physician said it to ME.

In January, I decided to take control my life and lose weight. I have lost about 30lbs so far. So, when I went to my doctor last week, he noticed that I was 30lbs lighter. He asked if I was on a diet and I told him yes. I told him I was going to nursing school and want to be a good example if I'm going to lecture on proper diet and exercise.

I guess my statement gave him a green light to be an a-hole.Doctor: that is so refreshing to hear! Nurses are notorious for ignoring their health. Keep up the good work. Remember, THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN A FAT NURSE! ::::doctor laughs::::

I was in shock. I could not believe it. I went numb. I did not find what he said funny or supportive. Yeah... I'm actively searching for a NP to be my primary care provider.... I happen to like NP's better. I find them to be less socially retarded.

What's the general consensus on obese nurses? Are obese nurses not taken seriously? Is what my doctor said a common thought?

The doctor in question said it in a ver nasty unreceptive way, but everybody not just nurses should have healthier eating and exercise habits.

Yes, a smoking doctor who recommends his/her patients not to smoke, to me is a hypocritical advice. Accordingly a highly overweight/obese nurse is not setting the best example for his/her patients.

* I know there are exceptions to this; like being overweight not because of lifestyle choices, but for an underlying condition.

But for the most part if you are a patient advocate, advocate for own health as well, start with yourself, set a good example while adding quality years to your life by becoming healthier :)

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

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Its not just thinking that you are a hypocrite that turns people off. Think divorced marriage counselor, bankrupt financial advisor, fat personal trainer. You don't trust their advice because deep down you're thinking "they can't help me" or "they don't know what their talking about or they would have it together". I'm sure there are like a hundred exceptions(excuses) that people will come up with but you get my meaning.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I work as a nurse to support my life style. I do not believe nursing is my life. It is my job pure and simple. It is good to have healthy habits and share those if appropriate, but I do not feel nurses should be required to be role models. Nurses are human beings just like everybody else. I diet and exercise because it makes me feel good. Not because my becoming a nurse requires that I live a perfect lifestyle. My off duty time is my time and my body is my body to do with as I wish.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

The divorced marriage counselor might have learned from his/her mistakes....the bankrupt financial advisor...I'll give you that one.

However my body size has NOTHING to with with my competence nor my intelligence.....If you or one of your family members is in trouble and circling the drain.....trust me you want my Rubenesque figure at your bedside to pull you from the plumbing.

Just saying....

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There's nothing worse than a fat nurse...

...except a fat doctor.

Is what OP should have replied with.

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
OK so let's pretend that every overweight nurse is that way because of something beyond their control and that it doesn't matter to patients coworkers or family because a fat nurse giving health advice will be taken just as seriously as a fit one and the opposite sex only cares about whats inside anyway. Furthermore all of the overweight nurses will live a longer healthier fuller life than the fit ones so they will ultimately win this one. Ta Da ! It never ceases to amaze me how hard people will work to get offended. If people spent as much time on their personal well being as they did trying to police what other people can say or think they would be better off. The PC pricklies are a real drag (meaning downer not cross dresser so please no flames). :sarcastic:

what are you talking about? A fit nurse will outlive an overweight one.

Someone who exercises, consumes the proper amount of energy they need, does not have so much physical stress on their joints, or stress on their heart will be much healthier. On top of that the fit nurse will have less of a chance of diabetes due to the lack of fat that will increase insulin resistance, because she exercises then even if she was diabetic her body will have a very good BS control...

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Unless that nurse gets hit by a bus........................:roflmao:

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what are you talking about? A fit nurse will outlive an overweight one. Someone who exercises consumes the proper amount of energy they need, does not have so much physical stress on their joints, or stress on their heart will be much healthier. On top of that the fit nurse will have less of a chance of diabetes due to the lack of fat that will increase insulin resistance, because she exercises then even if she was diabetic her body will have a very good BS control...[/quote']

Someone doesn't understand sarcasm...

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Ok, I'm sure that title made you want to throw up in your mouth. I don't blame you. I felt the same way when my physician said it to ME.

In January, I decided to take control my life and lose weight. I have lost about 30lbs so far. So, when I went to my doctor last week, he noticed that I was 30lbs lighter. He asked if I was on a diet and I told him yes. I told him I was going to nursing school and want to be a good example if I'm going to lecture on proper diet and exercise.

I guess my statement gave him a green light to be an a-hole.Doctor: that is so refreshing to hear! Nurses are notorious for ignoring their health. Keep up the good work. Remember, THERE'S NOTHING WORSE THAN A FAT NURSE! ::::doctor laughs::::

I was in shock. I could not believe it. I went numb. I did not find what he said funny or supportive. Yeah... I'm actively searching for a NP to be my primary care provider.... I happen to like NP's better. I find them to be less socially retarded.

What's the general consensus on obese nurses? Are obese nurses not taken seriously? Is what my doctor said a common thought?

As a patient I dont have a preference on what my nurse looks like fat skinny old young ugly gorgeous (I wouldnt mind a cute male though, of im being honest).

I recently lost 70 lbs and relocated across the country. You wouldmt believe the terrible things people say about my old pictures. Its almost as if theh thknk theyre saying terrible things about a different person but theyre saying it to my face.... I am still the same exact woman I was before. I dont know what it is but I *think* that people learn youre dieting/losing/lost weight and then they can let out their true feelings and opinions on obesity without realizing how truly hurtful it can be. They wouldnt say certain things to your face as a larger person but youre not large anymore so why not take a joke? I had one friend of my husbands laugh at my pictures the 2nd time I ever met him and ask my husband if he still got down with my "ugly" fat ass. Super funny dude super funny. Thank God for an amazing husband who said every night and he loved all of it and I have always been the most beautiful girl on the world.

Anyways it sounds to me like thats what your dr. did.... just made an insensitive joke without realizing it.

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Specializes in Hematology/Oncology.
Someone doesn't understand sarcasm...

its kind of hard to tell over the internet. I have seen alot of incorrect posts that were serious

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There's nothing worse than a FAT nurse!
Sure there is... a fat patient who needs to be put on a bedpan or have a Foley placed... much, much worse than a fat nurse.
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Sure there is... a fat patient who needs to be put on a bedpan or have a Foley placed... much much worse than a fat nurse.[/quote']

Hahaha! I like your attitude!

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