There's nothing worse than a FAT nurse!

[Darkstar1485]

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?

[reagansm]

retarded: Occurring or developing later than desired or expected; delayed.

With all of this talk about fat nurses and socially retarded [sic] doctors, what about doctors and nurses that smoke? Registered dietitians that know exactly what is healthy and still eat whatever they want?

No one is perfect. We should stop judging so much. Until you have walked in that person's body and soul you have no idea.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

Empathy for all !!!

[lastchance56]

Ok soon-to-be nurses and others, we're not in grade school anymore but that doesn't mean people won't take potshots. What I see as the issue is: was he right? I was called 4-eyes in school due to glasses. They were right but it still hurt. Well, I'm obese but working on it. Am I obese? Yes. If someone calls me that, should I get upset. Maybe but not at them, at myself for allowing it to happen.

People call people all kinds of things: fat, skinny, bald, short, flat footed, ignorant, selfish, giving, etc. It's your personal perspective as to whether you are insulted, agree or fight back. Did you tell the dr you felt insulted? If you were, you should have. It's possible the dr felt you agreed with the sentiment and that was why you were losing weight. I happen to agree with it too, which is why I'm losing weight. I do NOT want to be a fat nurse telling people what they need to do to get healthy when I clearly don't. You know, walk the walk, don't just talk the talk.

I would never take my car to a mechanic whose car is not running, or a painter whose house hadn't been painted in years, etc. When you are providing a service, you need to exemplify the service. I know other things can get in the way but choosing a career in health field should make us more aware of health in general, our own in particular. We should attempt to live the standards we have espoused and attempt to explain to others.

Whether or not he should have said it, i don't know. But that kind of stuff no longer bothers me and if it does, I speak up.

[QuarterLife88, MSN, RN, NP]

when you are providing a service, you need to exemplify the service.

well that lets out a lot of people. i'm thin and eat like crap. my insides are probably covered in butter and lard. should i also be exempt from telling a person to lose weight, or from preaching about the dangers of atherosclerosis? after all, you can't see my health ailments - yet, anyway.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

Nurses are annually regarded as one of the most trusted professionals. We are considered (whether we like it or not) to be role models. As a nurse, a nursing professor, and a mother to an adolescent girl, I know the way I present myself affects all of the people I come in contact with. I am not overweight, but could stand to lose about 10 pounds and tone up my belly. I am not 100% pleased with my body. I'm not getting any younger, and moving forward it's not going to be easy to maintain it if I don't actively make healthy decisions. When I lecture about risk factors for any of the dieseases I teach, diet and exercise always seem to rear their ugly heads. Therefore, I'd be mortified if a student caught me pigging out on something unhealthy. While I do not agree that I need to be the picture of health to be a nurse and an educator, I guess I just feel like a bit of a hypocrite if I didn't do what was right based on what I know.

Regarding the previous posts: All I can say is wow. Wow, about the retard discussion (enough already, really: I am offended when people say "I'm going to kill myself" b/c someone close to me did that, but I understand that people say it on a daily basis). And double wow about the obesity discussion. So, for those of you who will not take advice from someone who is overweight, is this some sort of rebellious move? Or just a lame excuse to not face your issues? We're always looking for an 'out' these days. To me, this is another perfect example of how we, as a society, keep tip-toeing around this issue that is not getting any better. It seems to OP was not as offended with the message, as much as he was with the delivery of it. I agree with that sentiment. But lets face it, some people are rude and crude, and (most) grown ups understand this, and have the ability to get over what people say, and not take it personally. The reality is, there is nothing good about being obese. It's not about how beautiful you are-aren't, it's about how healthy you aren't. There are plenty of beautiful, kind, loving, caring overweight people/nurses out there. but they are NOT healthy.

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

If you were offended by the doctor's comments, how do you think someone affected by intellectual disabilities would feel about your use of the term "socially retarded"?

I am so glad you said something about this. I cringed when I saw the word.

I am sorry I am mentioning this but this subject is near and dear to my heart and needed to say thank you to KelRN215!

[Hygiene Queen]

I don't think using the word should be offensive to a person with an intellectual disability. Maybe its bc I never use the term to describe a person with an ID. So I don't even think about offending that population when I use it.

I agree.

English is a living and ever changing language.

Words have many meanings and/or do not mean the same thing they once did.

What matters more to me is the context in which the word is used.

Not a popular nor a politically correct opinion, but there it is.

I just wanted to toss in my 2 cents.

[anyonecanfly, BSN, RN]

double post

[anyonecanfly, BSN, RN]

Um, what? How would you not think that use of the term "retarded" (in a derogatory manner) is offensive? It's a term that was meant to describe someone with an actual disability and you are using it to negatively describe your doctor. I find an educated person's use of the word "retarded" as slang to be far more offensive than any comment a doctor could make about overweight nurses.

That you don't even think about who you offend when you use it is precisely the point. You say that those with ID have more social skills than the average adult and yet you use the term "retarded" to refer to someone who made what you considered to be an inappropriate comment and therefore lacks social skills.

It's an offensive word. R-word | Spread the Word to End the Word

First of all, Darkstar1485, I am sorry for opening this up, but I have to respond to this.

Kel RN, I appreciate what you are trying to say but.. NO!

I happen to have a brother with an ID, and I NEVER assumed that the OP was calling her Doctor stupid by using "retarded" as a slang term. It never crossed my mind until YOU brought it up. I know the definition of the word, and quite frankly, that fact that you ASSUMED that the OP meant stupid or was using it in a negative way not only offended me, i KNOW it woud offend my brother. Your knee jerk reaction says more about YOU than anything. My brother would not care that the OP used the term "socially retarded" bc he knows what the word actually means. He does not equate "retarded" with "stupid". The word means means delayed. Plain and simple. Just bc a whole bunch of idiots decided to use the word in a negative way, does not give you the right to jump on your high horse and condemn the OP for using it like you're some sort of superhero for the intellectually disabled. The ID don't need you to save the world from the word retarded.

[anyonecanfly, BSN, RN]

I am so glad you said something about this. I cringed when I saw the word.

I am sorry I am mentioning this but this subject is near and dear to my heart and needed to say thank you to KelRN215!

Why did it make you cringe? It's a word and the OP used it in the correct context. based on what he OP's dr said, he/she may very well be socially retarded/delayed. Ignorant people turned the word retarded into something ugly and hurtful. The OP was not making fun of people with ID. The fact that you are giving into that negative way of thinking does more harm than good for ID people. My brother takes ownership of the word retarded (delayed) bc that's exactly what he is, and he accepts that.

[anyonecanfly, BSN, RN]

Darkstar,

Your doctor is socially retarded/delayed. He obviously does not know what to say or how to act around people.

Congrats on the 30lbs!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!

Good luck with the rest of your weight loss journey and nursing school!

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

why did it make you cringe? it's a word and the op used it in the correct context. based on what he op's dr said, he/she may very well be socially retarded/delayed. ignorant people turned the word retarded into something ugly and hurtful. the op was not making fun of people with id. the fact that you are giving into that negative way of thinking does more harm than good for id people. my brother takes ownership of the word retarded (delayed) bc that's exactly what he is, and he accepts that.

you are not the only person who knows someone with an id. just because your brother accepts the word doesn't mean it doesn't offend someone else. otherwise why would there be a campaign.

the op may have used the word semi-correctly (i do not think she actually thinks the doctor is slow) but she also said this -- for ex "that movie was

retarded!" the op thinks the movie was slow? no, she thinks it was stupid. spread the word to end the word is not trying to eliminate the word, it just wants people to use it correctly. to take it out of normal conversation.

*i wanted to drop this but i felt as though i needed to defend myself. this is the last comment i will make on this subject.

*congrats op on losing 30 lbs, i know it can be difficult. i myself just lost 20 lbs and i am having difficulty with the remaining 10.