Why are RN's so fat!

Published

I was told by a nanny last night that her employer just had a baby, and she commented on how fat the RN's are at the hospital (Her employer is thin).

Her employer stated that "being RN's shouldn't they know how to control their weight"? I told the nanny that yes, but RN's have a very stressful job. They are over worked, have odd hours, and tend to eat bad food to comfort themselves because the amount of stress they are under. Usually we are understaffed and don't get breaks, and when we do leave work normally we as RN's tend to reach for junk, because high sugary foods bring up the blood sugar the quickest. I was quite offended at her comments, not because I am fat (I am not exactly slim either), but because it is a generalization of the profession. I don't know what her point was to even repeat what her employer said. However, I'm determined not to fall in that category, because I once was fat (I lost approx 61 lbs & still want to lose about 30lbs). Does that comment offend you?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I would have asked "If the weight didn't have any effect on your care, then what's it to you?".

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health Care.

Doesn't offend me at all (I'm not an RN just yet though). One thing I have noticed is that the night shifts around my area seem to order more pizza's, donuts, brownies, chips & dip, than I've seen the day shifts do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).

This topic comes up occassionally in one form or another. Many RNs are fat for the same reasons many others are fat. If everyone who wanted to be slender was, obesity would not be a problem in this country.

I know some slender people who work at staying fit, but I know many who don't do anything different from anyone else and simply don't gain weight. I know a few slender people who really aren't as fit as I am--they may look better, but lack my stamina and ability to exert myself.

Being slender and fit is a very good thing. Being self-righteous is not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele, ICU, ER.

People will jump on the most superficial things! People need to learn that, regardless of appearance, if their nurse meets their needs in a competent, professional and friendly manner, despite insane workloads, running for 12 hours without a break, and a measly 2 minutes to wolf down whatever presents itself as food, then they are very lucky indeed!

I give full credit to any RN who is still standing and breathing (and smiling?) at the end of her shift. The size of her scrubs means less than nothing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Care.
This topic comes up occassionally in one form or another. Many RNs are fat for the same reasons many others are fat. If everyone who wanted to be slender was, obesity would not be a problem in this country.

I know some slender people who work at staying fit, but I know many who don't do anything different from anyone else and simply don't gain weight. I know a few slender people who really aren't as fit as I am--they may look better, but lack my stamina and ability to exert myself.

Being slender and fit is a very good thing. Being self-righteous is not.

Ditto!

The title of this thread certainly caught my attention.

There are a lot of "fat" people who are not nurses. Y'know, people like doctors and lawyers. Teachers and accountants. Pilots and cab drivers. Maybe even some nannies. I'm just sayin'.

I carry a little extra weight on me, but I don't think I'm fat. I'm also 6'5" tall; the extra weight looks OK.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

People need to be reminded that nurses are not superbeings. Regardless of their education, nurses are human, like everyone else.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rodeo Nursing (Neuro).
Ditto!

The title of this thread certainly caught my attention.

There are a lot of "fat" people who are not nurses. Y'know, people like doctors and lawyers. Teachers and accountants. Pilots and cab drivers. Maybe even some nannies. I'm just sayin'.

I carry a little extra weight on me, but I don't think I'm fat. I'm also 6'5" tall; the extra weight looks OK.

I'm 5'6", and it ain't pretty. But I find it interesting that you mention cats in your sig. Have you noticed that cats seem to be drawn to the most sedentary person in the household? Mine are conditioning me to lounge around all day--at this very moment, one is looking at me with disapproval for wasting time on the internet when I could be lying on the sofa watching t.v.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm 5'6", and it ain't pretty. But I find it interesting that you mention cats in your sig. Have you noticed that cats seem to be drawn to the most sedentary person in the household? Mine are conditioning me to lounge around all day--at this very moment, one is looking at me with disapproval for wasting time on the internet when I could be lying on the sofa watching t.v.

:rotfl:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, ICU, Infusion, peds, informatics.
i'm 5'6", and it ain't pretty. but i find it interesting that you mention cats in your sig. have you noticed that cats seem to be drawn to the most sedentary person in the household? mine are conditioning me to lounge around all day--at this very moment, one is looking at me with disapproval for wasting time on the internet when i could be lying on the sofa watching t.v.

maybe your cat would appreciate a laptop with wireless internet access?

'cause mine is lounging contentedly at my shoulder with me in bed.

at least, she was until i started typing. now she is glaring at me. nap interrupted.

back to browsing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Care.
I'm 5'6", and it ain't pretty. But I find it interesting that you mention cats in your sig. Have you noticed that cats seem to be drawn to the most sedentary person in the household? Mine are conditioning me to lounge around all day--at this very moment, one is looking at me with disapproval for wasting time on the internet when I could be lying on the sofa watching t.v.

I think it's because the most sedentary person around is usually the most non-threatening. Twistercat is very content to sleep curled up in a ball on my stomach or my back... makes no difference!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Shift work, lack of sleep, poor diet, Too much TV and other modern entertainment conveniences, lack of cardiovascular and aerobic exercise...

The same reason most of the people in western society are overweight.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion