[jaimealmostRN]

IMO, after blow-drying my hair, shaving legs, applying make up, ironing my scrubs/choosing an outfit when not in school, its nice to have an excuse NOT to do one more thing (nails)! But honestly I think it's kinda a nursing/medical faux pas...everyone knows its bad, but if you do it anyway it seems to send that message that you don't care. JMO though, so no one get mad

[GoLytely]

I don't think fake nails are good for anyone to wear. What is wrong with natural short clean healthy nails?

[Marie_LPN, RN]

Fake OR overlay is a breeding ground for bacteria.

[VivaLasViejas]

Not only are artificial nails a literal breeding ground for all kinds of nasties, they do bad things to the nails God gave you.......they don't allow your natural nails to 'breathe', making them porous, thin, and brittle. Which puts YOU at risk for an infection, as well as your patients.

Trust me, fake nails aren't worth it.

[CeCiRN]

I've worn acrylic nails for many years both in and out of the clinical setting. The secret to keeping the fungus at bay is to have an excellent nail tech who keeps her station scrupulously clean, keeps her nail equipment sterile. When there is a crack you need to repair it immediately and get a fill every 2 to 3 weeks. When I did bedside care, my acrylic nails were short and scrupulously clean. The last hospital I worked passed a policy banning acrylic nails and in order to keep my job I got rid of mine. Now I'm in a different part of nursing and have started to wear my acrylic nails again.

[RoxyBen]

Originally Posted by Ruffles

I am a nursing student graduating next month. I wore "fake nails" before nursing school, but my program did not allow them during school. I am considering getting them again after graduation. What is your opinion and the policies at the facilities where you work? Are they a health hazaard to patients if proper handwashing precautions are used? Have you read any studies on the "fake nail" issue?

OSHA says NO to fake nails for nurses. Nuff said.

[nightcaller]

I happen to think they are better and healthier than natural nails. Natural nails are porous and can harbor loads of bacteria. Gels are impermeable. Plus, acrylics do not just 'fall off'... they're tough and strong... I wouldn't do without them! My hands are CLEAN, and well kept... if anything, my nails being well manicured show that I care about personal hygiene. Not to mention, I happen to wear gloves every time I perform patient care, so what is the problem?? It always makes me laugh when I hear this arguement. I'll wear them always.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Originally Posted by nightcaller

I happen to think they are better and healthier than natural nails. Natural nails are porous and can harbor loads of bacteria. Gels are impermeable. Plus, acrylics do not just 'fall off'... they're tough and strong... I wouldn't do without them! My hands are CLEAN, and well kept... if anything, my nails being well manicured show that I care about personal hygiene. Not to mention, I happen to wear gloves every time I perform patient care, so what is the problem?? It always makes me laugh when I hear this arguement. I'll wear them always.

Even though study after study bears you out wrong? What a shame. I am not saying you are stupid, but you are acting in ignorance. And NO gel is "impermeable"; that is a myth. Ok well, laugh all you want. I don't think it's very funny, myself. Acrylics do not belong in patient care areas, period.

[dolphinlpn]

Hi everyone,
I have a story and unfornatuley it is true. I work in LTC, and a resident had a PT/INR of 83 and inr was 10.3 I couldn't believe those numbers when I first seen them , but anyway a CNA had long nail, not fake and she gave the resident a skin tear by accident and we had a hard time getting it under control. Needless to say after that the cna doesn't have long nails anymore. I love long nails too, but they don't belong in the medical profession.

[Marie_LPN, RN]

It always makes me laugh when I hear this arguement.

So GLAD you think this issue is humorous.