Weight and reduced chances of employment.

[Karen 77]

To put it simply I'm asking does being overweight greatly reduce your employment prospects withing nursing?

I've gained a fair amount of weight whilst working on my current ward (6 years). I recently quit smoking cigarettes so my weight also is up from my increased substitution with food!. I still perform my work efficiently, often being told "I never stop". My sick leave record is like 1 or 2 days per year. I'm reliable hard working and i believe perform well.

So would looking at going through the interview process be best left until i get some weight off? Or just do my best now?, I am now looking to sensibly lose what i could prior to an interview also.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It depends...a multitude of studies have indicated that normal weight people are more likely to be hired than their overweight and obese counterparts. In addition, normal weight people are more likely to obtain promotions.

However, other factors come into play. For instance, I am in a southern state where obesity is somewhat socially acceptable. I was obese at the start of my nursing career, standing 5'1 tall and weighing in at 216 pounds 10 years ago. However, I was always able to easily find work.

I was born and raised in southern California, where obesity is not as socially accepted. Therefore, a pudgy nurse might experience more uphill battles in a geographic region where a high value is placed on looks and image.

I now weigh 120 pounds. My smaller body has made things easier professionally and personally. Nonetheless, I have the utmost empathy for the overweight and obese. The "calories in/calories out" prescription simplifies a complex, multifactorial problem with hormonal intricacies.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

There is fat bias for sure. I weighed 235 in my 20's, but I fight hard to keep my weight at 160 for the last several decades for many reasons. A major one is employability.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

We have nurses of all sizes shapes and colors where I work. I was hired as a new nurse in my late 40s and overweight. I have since had weight loss surgery but an still overweight. It depends on the facility.

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Until I hit my 50s, I never had trouble finding a job even though I'm morbidly obese. So I think my lack of success after my early 50s had more to do with my age than my weight.

[smartnurse1982]

It depends.

Many people associate obesity with being older and thinness with younger.

[FL_Nurse92]

In my own opinion, I repeat opinion, we (nurses) should practice what we preach. Do we explain the benefits of weight loss and smoking cessation to our patients? Yes. So with that being said I think we should look somewhat healthy and not morbidly obese. Now do I think you won't get hired because you are overweight? absolutely not and I don't think you should postpone an interview until you lose weight.

[LTCNS, LPN]

It depends.

Many people associate obesity with being older and thinness with younger.

Many people associate obesity with laziness as well, but that's just not the case. I'm overweight and far from lazy, and many of my co-workers who are overweight run circles around their thinner counterparts.

I have been overweight my entire nursing career and have not gone over two months without employment, even being picked many times over nurses who others would consider a "normal" weight. I'm 51 years old now and am still getting job offers

[mkk99]

In my own opinion, I repeat opinion, we (nurses) should practice what we preach. Do we explain the benefits of weight loss and smoking cessation to our patients? Yes. So with that being said I think we should look somewhat healthy and not morbidly obese. Now do I think you won't get hired because you are overweight? absolutely not and I don't think you should postpone an interview until you lose weight.

As someone who is "morbidly obese" and has overcome over a decade of an eating disorder, I'm sure I look more healthy and can provide better patient care than I did when I was not "morbidly obese."

OP - if you don't get hired at a place because of a complicated and often personal health factor like weight, I think you should feel blessed that you don't have to work at such a judgmental place.

[FL_Nurse92]

like I said, my statement was a personal opinion. I'm not saying a more fit individual does any better than an obese individual. I'm saying many americans are obese because they can't put the fork down and refuse to workout in any way. If you have a disorder or medical condition, that is a whole different ball game and I am in no way referring to you.

[mkk99]

like I said, my statement was a personal opinion. I'm not saying a more fit individual does any better than an obese individual. I'm saying many americans are obese because they can't put the fork down and refuse to workout in any way. If you have a disorder or medical condition, that is a whole different ball game and I am in no way referring to you.

And my "personal opinion" is that this view is horribly judgmental and exactly what the original poster is afraid of. You don't know a person's life by looking at them. You don't know if your patient or coworker or anybody on the street has diabetes or arthritis or is simply the ~bad gluttonous person~ described in your post by appearances alone - and it is exactly that judgment that leads to the documented discrimination in most professions, not just healthcare. I only hope you are more compassionate with your patients than you seem to be with your peers. And I reiterate my desire that OP does not find herself working in a place full of people with this "personal opinion."

[FL_Nurse92]

What I know are statistics, coming from the most obese state in the nation (MS). No judgement involved, simply facts. How you look is how you look, I'm not telling you to change.