Weird question about interview (re:overweight/ not needing insurance)

[nervousnurse]

I know that was a WEIRD title, but I wanted to be descriptive. And this IS a weird question, and maybe someone has asked this or wondered it, too?

I am very overweight, (to give an idea by "very", I wear a 3X scrub top and 2X pants....) but in my current bedside job, I can "run" for 12 hours like all my other coworkers, and I take excellent care of my patients. My weight honestly does NOT interfere with my job. I admit once I get home, my joints are achy, but I take lonnnng, hot baths with TONS of epsom salts!

Here's the "weird" question. I want a NEW job....terribly! When I interview, I want so badly to tell them I do NOT need their health insurance, (I'm blessed to have it through my hubby).....because I'm afraid they look at my weight and think "she'll be a burden on our health insurance plan...she probably has diabetes, hypertension, etc" (I have NEITHER, by the grace of God, although of course I know I am at high risk for those and more if I don't lose weight SOON, and I plan to!!!).

Is there ANY way I could say this in the interview without them thinking it was a stupid/ weird thing to say??? I just want them to know that the weight does NOT affect my job performance at all, and that they don't need to worry about their premiums going up because of me......I get glowing reviews from all my supervisors, my coworkers also appreciate that I will help them anytime I can, and I am very enthusiastic!

Thanks in advance! :)

[chicklet74]

I would not mention weight at all. It's none of their business. If you can provide the same positive references as anyone else, you qualify as much as anyone else. Using your weight as a reason not to hire you is discrimination.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Weight has nothing to do with nursing or if you can do your job well!

Honestly as a nurse manager weight has never been an employee's reason for not being a good employee!

In fact the worst employee I ever had in my 22 year old career was a 26 year old, slim, white male.

[Babs0512]

Let's be honest here, weight is an issue - it does come into play when looking for work - whether it should or not is another post, but it does. People do discriminate against obesity, the unattractive, the poorly dressed - and probably many more things. Is it right? Of course not, but it happens. Fact of life.

They can't take away your experience nor can they take away your exuberance, honesty, positive outlook and cheery attitude. You have much going FOR you - use what you have and you'll be fine.

By the way, I was also a 2x-3x - I'm now a size 8-10 - mine was metabolic syndrome, last summer my shorts could fit three of me now in them. There is hope there as well. Blessings:twocents:

[Rodoon, BSN, MSN, RN]

Don't mention the insurance. Stick to the positives and for the QA job, which is a different skill set, talk about your computer skills, certifications, or classes in that area. Good Luck.

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Insurance only comes up "normally" when benefits are discussed during orientation. That's the time to decline coverage, and I wouldn't bring it up unless someone asks- then just tell them you have coverage under your husband's work. End of story :)

[SweetseRN]

I do not think you should be concerned about this when you interview. Put yourself together nicely, smile and shine with confidence. Put thought into the things that are REALLY going to matter like what kind of unit it is and questions they may ask related to that. I thought I would be discriminated against for weight ever since my very first day of nursing school. It NEVER happened. Not once. I saw a quote on here once, it may be silly but it helped me "Some of us are built for comfort,not for speed" lol...I can keep up with even those that are very in shape, but I will say from my limited experience, patients like a little extra padding on you. Please put that whole thing out of your head. Be yourself. Accept who you are and you will be ok. Good luck!!!!!

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

I think it might help if you were able to lose some weight first for added confidence boost. Weight discrimination and age discrimination is rampant in the world but all you can do is do your best and practice interviewing and do your best to be as enthusiastic, professional and attractive as you can be. In a comforting thought isn't over 1/2 the country overweight at this point so you are certainly not the only one struggling. But I do think myself that some of the reason for weight and age discrimination these days is not simply societal prejudice but also about money re health insurance. That must cross the mines of the corp as they are always looking to find a way to save a buck!

[signet, LPN]

I think your size has nothing to do with the quality of nursing care you can provide. Your confidence, however may be an issue. Your post comes across almost as though you are ashamed of being a plus size women. It also seems like your apologizing for it. DON'T. God made you who you are for a reason. You sound like a BBW(Big Beautiful Woman). Google this term and you will see that not everybody buys into the main stream media crap that says you have to be a certain size. At the same time, every other commercial they show is for fast food. The whole thing is designed to take your money and keep you on a self hating roller coaster.

If you are a good nurse tell them that. If you don't need benefits, because your husband gets them, tell them that. This would make you less expensive to hire. Don't tell them anything about your weight or appearance. This will show how insecure you feel and if hired they will dump on you every chance they get. You are a competent nurse with very valuable skills. You would be an asset to their facility and they are luckily you're available.

I'm so sick of people being made to feel inferior because of their size. If this was done on the basis of race, religion, sex, ect..., they'd be marching on washington. It's time for the larger sized people to get the same respect as everyone else.