What do you think?

I think I get where you are coming from but you need to be careful here. That could be considered descrimination. It may even be covered under the ADA and if her weight is a disability for her then the facility is required to accomodate her needs. If that means longer to do something then they have to give it to her by law. She may even take longer as would anyone else just being that she is new and will need time to get used to the flow or things and what not. The first time I filled in for a floor nurse at the last minute after a call in in the LTC I was in I had never passed meds to 20 people before being an RN and working at the hospital so it took me a long time. The residents each had pages of meds and all the special drinks and crushing and......you know. So it took me like almost 3 hours, but they all got their meds and got them right. I passes meds there like two more times before I left and was faster but still I didn't do it often enough to get used to it. So someone new will take longer anyways while they get used to the pass. Just remember that. As far as the coverage of the unit......I know the CNAs are busy. Could they see about getting a cordless phone so she could start and keep the phone with her to take those calls from residents??

I forgot to add that this person has worked days and eves for the past few months prn , so she knows all the residents well.

I think I get where you are coming from but you need to be careful here. That could be considered descrimination. It may even be covered under the ADA and if her weight is a disability for her then the facility is required to accomodate her needs.

I really hate to think that weight would ever be considered a disability. I agree with the OP, if an employee lacks the ability to do the job, then they need to be terminated. Obesity is not a disability, but it makes me sick that employers would consider it one. I'm all for equal rights, no discrimination, etc but if you are too obese to do your job, you need to go.

There's always telemarketing, I hear you don't even have to stand on your feet to do it.

Agreed. It seems like the obesity epidemic is being accommodated in today's society instead of addressed.

So the residents need to accomodate a staff member now? I thought we were there for them? Waking a resident up a few hrs earlier doesn't float well with me. Before this person was hired, I'm sure they gave a job description to her...walking, bending and lifting all are part of the one that I have.

I worked with a nurse once who had a handicapped sticker on her car so she could park close. It was due to back problems. But she worked full time in pedi unit carrying kids and moving beds, etc. However, she complained loudly about needing the rooms next to nurses station so she would not have to walk so far. We complained to HR and they told her if she has a physical problem that prevents her from doing her job she has to file ADA forms and they will place her in another position. She finally shut up

Weight issues aside, your facility should have a call system that does not involve having someone constantly sitting in front of a phone. It seems a waste of resources to have a RN sitting in one place for hours at a time. But then I have never worked in a nursing home.

It's not a weight problem, it's an attitude problem. You explained facility policy to her and so you have done your job. Depending on the situation, I might have insisted (if not in place already) on an orientation sheet to be signed by the orientee so that there is no question about what was covered in orientation. The rest is up to management.

While 400lbs & super morbid obesity might be considered a disability, termination or transfer would likely NOT be an ADA violation. The ADA requires reasonable accommodations. Hence why smaller businesses in old buildings don't have to add ramps or elevators. Same reason that a blind person cannot be a bus driver. And the one poster above who's coworker demanded special treatment due to her back 'problems' was told they'd transfer her. If you have a weight lifting restriction of nothing more than 5lbs you may not be able to work newborn or pediatrics.

The only difference would be a disability that was caused on the job (worker's comp) there are more requirements & the definition of reasonable is a bit broader than for other situations.