Why I Love My Job as a Bariatric Nurse
September 2, 2019There are many reasons why I love and devote my career to being a bariatric nurse. Bariatric nursing offers an ideal setting to partner with patients to help them achieve their desired health goals. It also is very gratifying working with a multi-disciplinary team of dedicated professionals who facilitate positive patient experiences with exceptional outcomes.
Being Part of a Bariatric Patient’s Journey
I cannot even begin to express how profound it is working with bariatric patients. Change is difficult for everyone. Those who seek weight loss surgery have the willingness and courage to make lifestyle changes. Being part of a bariatric patient’s journey and witnessing their changes is eye-opening.
I’ve had many opportunities to listen to patients' strikingly similar stories telling how obesity has shaped and shaken their lives. Without a doubt, there are common negative sentiments shared by patients that are caused by societal “stigmas” and “weightism.” Patients appear “beaten up by society” when they initially walk thru clinical doors. This deeply saddens me. However, having the occasion to help patients find freedom from the bondage of “societal stigmas” that aligns itself with obesity is “exhilarating."
Having screened more than a 1,000 patients for bariatric surgery, I am keenly aware how negative body images, fears of not fitting in, yo-yo dieting, weight loss, weight re-regain have affected numerous patients at different age groups with needs by occupations.
Anticipating patient needs by providing physical accommodations such as blood pressure cuffs, gowns, comfortable waiting room, exam chairs, scales that accommodate persons of size means the world to patients means the world patients. This truly means the world to me as a bariatric nurse for improving their experience.
The Emotional Needs of a Bariatric Surgery Patient
Being a bariatric nurse sensitized me to patients' emotional needs which sharpened my listening skills. Patients respond positively to compassion and nonjudgmental attitudes.
I vividly recall a patient acutely hurt by her friend's derogatory comments following her 150-pound weight loss. “ You look sickly; when you gain some weight back, you will look much better.“ With tears, the patient asked, "How can people be so mean? Don't they know how much hard work it took to reach my goal weight? Sometimes all I want to do is eat unhealthy foods after I get stressed by someone or something!”
We discussed her reactions, feelings, and how to deal with upsetting moments without turning to food for comfort. By the end of the visit, she stopped crying, gained confidence, and felt proud of her accomplishments. She agreed to take time to practice new coping skills and time to adjust to her new body image. Her continued success was duly touching upon follow-up visits to the clinic. "Thank you for being my nurse. You will never know how much your understanding and kindness means to me." Cards are certainly treasured from patients, but their personal words of appreciation are priceless. Suffice to say, it is awe-inspiring sharing patients success stories. It provides more than professional satisfaction; It is heartwarming.
As a result of their success, many patients experience improved quality lives. They do not need to take medications for previous medical problems, wear CPAP/BIPAPS for sleep apnea and their mobility is greatly improved.
“Now I Can” is a way of life as opposed to the previous “Can-Not” mindset caused by limitations from higher BMI’s. Their joy in over-coming medical problems and living a renewed life is contagious. Knowing that I have contributed to their success is humbling.
Being a Bariatric Nurse is Rewarding
Working for the past 14 years in a bariatric out-patient clinical setting has been very rewarding. The environment provides a canvas to autonomously and creatively practice the art and science of nursing. I’m proud to have earned certifications as a Bariatric Nurse (CBN) and Bariatric Surgical Case Reviewer (MBSCR). My role has expanded to the Bariatric Nurse Coordinator, Compliance Specialist, and Metabolic Bariatric Surgical Case Reviewer (MBSCR). As I've continued my passion for bariatrics and advocating for patients by offering “Obesity Sensitivity Training” courses, speaking at National Obesity Conferences, writing articles for newspapers and magazines brings both personal and professional satisfaction.
I have had the honor of being Editor-in-Chief to our department's Wellness and Weight Loss Surgery E-Newsletter. The quarterly newsletter provides a venue to feature patient success stories and staff’s creative tools for the patient’s continued success. The newsletter reaches out to approximately 3,500 recipients promoting a clinic without walls.
Being a bariatric nurse has afforded many wonderful opportunities for personal and professional growth and development. It helped me to publish a children’s book that is a simple lesson in one of life's biggest challenges, becoming fit and healthy.
I am truly excited to continue working in this area. Bariatric Nursing for me is a work of the heart.
I love working with our dedicated multi-disciplinary team of professionals. I am energized and motivated by them and our patients. My hope is to participate in research projects that will serve to empower patients on their never-ending journeys to health and wellness. My life long goal is to serve as a vehicle to heighten awareness, provide education regarding this national epidemic and change public perception at large regarding weight stigmatizations.
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Linda Trainor, RN, BSN has spent the past 14 years working as the Nurse Coordinator for the Bariatric Surgical Program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston. She has earned dual certifications as a Bariatric Nurse and Metabolic Surgical Case Reviewer. Linda is also a Published children’s author, Bradley the Dog Who Couldn’t Stop Eating and Editor-in-Chief of BIDMC’s Weight-Loss & Wellness E Newsletter. |
