Congratulations on your surgery and your decision to enter nursing! Nurses come in all shapes and sizes. When I graduated from nursing school in 1993 I wore a size 22. I had one really mean doctor that I saw personally for health care tell me I would never get a job in nursing because of my size! I was in my 3rd year of college and was so depressed by what he said. I went in to my extern job at the time and told some of the RN's. They could not believe he said that. I have to say, I have be up to a size 32 and never have been out of work. I have lost 110 pounds now and wear a size 18. I have received many compliments from my peers, nurses and physicians who are impressed I have taken a proactive weight loss decision. They ask tons of questions, but still view me as the nurse I have always been to them. As far as specialty....you have to do all the rotations, peds, ob, med-surg, ect. I kind of made my decisions what I didn't want to do during that time. Then I went and applied to a hospital and saw what they had available. It is a great time to get into nursing. It is wide open. Some of the specialties that were hard to get into when I graduated...ob, er, ect, are now available to new grads. They always wanted experience first, and I used to argue about how do you get experience if no one will let you in? Now, in my geographic area (Ohio), I have spoken to many new grads who get into exactly what they are interested in~instead of med-surg first. Whatever you decide...do NOT let your weight play a role. Stay focused, work hard, and you will get what you want. Good Luck! Pam

Hello there....I am going back to school in the spring to begin a nursing program. It took me to the age of 31 to decide what I want to do with my life. Go figure My questions are: I'm loosing weight pretty rapidly at this point, I started at 480 and am down to 370 in 4 months, but I know that will slow down at some point. I'm concerned about how obese people are viewed in the nursing community. Would my weight be an issue if I can't get to a "normal" size before I enter the nursing program? There are core classes I'll have to take first, and I'll be taking those online starting next spring. The other question is, I'm leaning two ways in regards to a focus for my training. Part of me really wants to focus on ER work, I think I would enjoy the constant change and challenges of an ER (not that all nursing work isn't challenging), but I'm also interested in OB/GYN work. Do you get to choose what you focus on, or is it more an issue of what the facility you work in needs. And if any of you work in either area, I'd really enjoy hearing your opinions on the work you do. Thanks so much for any and all input. Have a great rest of the week and weekend! Kelle

I'm a student nurse, hoping to in may 05... trying to schedule WLS..... I have my first apt. this friday, nov. 5th. I find that as a student nurse, I am now so much more informed of the risks obesity has in so many areas... I was thinking of WLS for at least four years, but as soon as I started hearing the risks I was all for it... Many of my fellow students are not supportive.. they suggest weigh****chers, exercise, etc. Well I've been on Weigh****chers since I've been about nine, and I do exercise! They are shocked to hear this by the way... So I"ve made up my mind, made my peace with God, and now I have to make peace with the insurance company..... Diane

For Philadelphia, PA a new nurse should be able to make anywhere from $40k to $60 and up depending on how many weekends / holidays / nightshifts you are willing to work. With nursing, the money is in the nights and weekends. The sky is the limit if you are willing to work the off-hours. I have friends that have cleared over $100k. Good Luck!

I marked your profile as a "Favaorite" so I can see your great progress and be inspired! Keep it up!