Abstract
I was immediately greeted by nurses who shared a passion for the same patient population, and the networking experience was enough to take my breath away. I found seasoned bariatric nurses who were open to sharing their expertise and who seemed to have time for all of my many questions. I felt like I had won the nursing lottery. I have attended every conference since that first one and I have never been disappointed; I have never had to listen to the same topics discussed, and I have never encountered a member who was not willing to share their knowledge. My work with bariatric patients is truly like watching a miracle unfold; as the patients lose weight, they become healthy, empowered individuals. It is professionally rewarding.
I owe the fact that I have such a fantastic job to NABN showing me how to be the best nurse I can be and how to give my bariatric patients the care they need. I am attempting to pay the organization a debt of gratitude by agreeing to monitor their website forum. Members of NABN use the forum to post clinical care questions, and then I research the answers. My job as the forum monitor is to locate the resource and then communicate that information to you. I encourage all nurses to join NABN. The organization will give you the tools you need to be the best at what you do.
With each issue of this journal, I will post a question and answer that has been submitted on the website forum. I encourage everyone to post, particularly those of you who have areas of expertise and want to share that knowledge. We are stronger and better nurses when we work together.
The obesity epidemic has put bariatric care in the forefront for all nurses. The disease of obesity comes with comorbid health conditions that often present problematic challenges for all caregivers but especially for nurses providing direct care. Obese patients are found in all areas of healthcare, and nurses are involved in providing their care. In nursing school, we are all taught to focus on the needs of the patient, no matter what nursing theory that is used. At the onset of care, we develop a comprehensive care plan that covers all the requirements of standardized care. With this in mind, I applaud you for your inquiry because bariatric nursing does require more than just routine patient care; it requires a knowledge base that must be built from practice, research, mentoring, and active participation in the care of the bariatric patient.
The National Association of Bariatric Nurses (NABN) recognizes that nurses need specific guidance, education, and collaboration to provide the best possible care for the bariatric patient. NABN understands that providing care that meets all of the needs of the patient of size can be daunting for new practitioners or for those who do not understand the disease of obesity. The organization puts its members in touch with each other through the forum on its website. The organization also conducts education conferences that explore all aspects of care for the patient of size. A membership in the organization is an asset to your nursing practice and career. If you are not a member, I recommend that you join as it is a starting point for bariatric patient care education.
Another source of education is to find a seasoned nurse who is willing to serve as a mentor; search not only in your work place but also in your community. You may be surprised to find that just as you are interested in bariatric nursing, there are others who have been working with this specific patient population, understand their healthcare needs, and are willing to share their knowledge and expertise. Most experienced nurses have the knowledge base, personality, and communication skills necessary to be effective mentors. If in your search for a mentor you find several nurses who are interested in bariatrics, it might be possible to develop a “bariatric consortium,” to exchange information and develop best practices. The consortium could actually include other disciplines that work with the patient of size, such as laboratory, diagnostic, emergency room, and operating room personnel.
Most bariatric surgery programs have support groups for their patients, both before and after surgery; consider volunteering to help the group facilitators. You could also think about leading a group discussion about what bariatric patients feel they need from their healthcare providers; this would give you ideas of how to help. Moreover, you could consider providing basic healthcare information, or provide a presentation on how to manage a specific comorbid health condition, such as hypertension. Providing education for patients contributes to your own education as you research the topic.
Search for opportunities to facilitate care for the bariatric patient; scan your work place to make sure that equipment is adequate for their care. Facilities must provide size-appropriate seating, hospital beds, toilets, showers, and other essentials of care. You could advocate for these if you find any inadequacies. If you encounter resistance, try approaching the safety officer or safety committee in your workplace for help.
Obese individuals have been the target of prejudice, bullying, ridicule, and misunderstanding. Develop an education program that explains the disease of obesity and present your program in the community or your work place. Sensitivity to the patient of size is essential to development of trust, and everyone should be able to trust their healthcare provider.
I encourage you to participate in nursing research. The best practice models are based on solid evidence that comes from research. As you continue your formal nursing education, consider research in an area of bariatric nursing.
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery has a certification program that promotes the specialty of bariatric nursing. You can find more information about their program by accessing their handbook at CBN@asmbs.org
As the obesity epidemic creates health issues, more and more nurses and healthcare providers will be seeking information and assistance in meeting the needs of the patient of size. In our fast-paced world of immediate access to information, we all have so much to offer. Sharing knowledge is a way of bettering the care that bariatric patients receive.
We welcome your active participation in the Q & A feature. Please address your questions to the Managing Editor (scarey@umm.edu) and specify that they are for the Clinical Q & A section of the journal.