[Marie_LPN, RN]

(Why are ppl mentioning their years in this profession, like it's going to make a difference in the proven fact of what's dirtier?)

[tntrn]

Kyboyrn:

Although you may never notice ladies' nails and the shape they are or are not in, others do. My DH will be very sorry to see my nails in their natural state, and not just because they are prettier with acrylics. Keeping them pretty should never be done for someone else. What I mean is, you should do nice things for yourself because YOU are pleased by it. One's entire attitude is then favorably affected. On the flip side, if you do something because someone else says you should or must, then I believe resentment can build.

As far as mentioning years of experience, and since I did it, I will just say that lots of posters mention their years of experience. I'm sure than when relative newbies comment about "my 5 years of experience" there are those like me who can remember when the idea they are just now espousing was being done, was then pooh-poohed and now is being done again. One's longevity doesn't make an expert, but neither does ones fresh-out-of-school status.
Has nothing to do with how clean or unclean ones' nails are. You are right about that.


althou

[Gompers]

Five years ago our infectious disease department really cracked down on acrylic nails - for all healthcare and foodservice providers working in our hospital. Our NICU was one of the most hounded areas, and for good reason. Our sepsis rate was alarmingly high, especially for things like pseudomonas, e.coli, and coag negative staph infections. But the most alarming was a slew of babies over several years who had positive blood cultures for pachydermatis (I believe that's it) - something often found in the floppy ear flaps of dogs. These kids were SICK SICK SICK. Several died. Many staff members have dogs, probably about 50% of the unit. Since cracking down on the acrylics, we haven't had a single case of pachydermatis in five years. We still have the other buggies I mentioned, but our sepsis rate has drastically increased.

Parents and staff all have to do a 3 minute surgical scrub each day upon entering the unit. We recommend to moms that they remove their acrylics - we do see the babies with moms that refuse to remove the nails tend to have never-ending infections. But the healthcare staff is touching multiple babies and the parents are only touching their own, so we can't force them to lose the nails. And it's not like the parents are accessing their babies' central lines, ETTs, or having any real invasive contact like we do.

On our unit the rules state that we are not to wear wrist watches or bracelets, no rings except for a completely smooth, plain wedding band that is worn during the surgical scrub, and no nail polish. Of couse not everyone adheres to these rules, and that drives me crazy. I hate seeing people with peeling purple polish, huge diamond rings with lots of crevices, and old wrist watches that get wet everytime they wash their hands. But we're trying, slowly making progress on that, and like I said there still has been a dramatic decrease in infections since the fake nail issue.

[Energizer Bunny]

THere are so many other nice things you can do for yourself that don't have the possiblity of harming others. I agree with Kyboryn about the nails. They look tacky to me too and I don't see the need for them.

[angel337]

i know a former nurse that left nursing because she did not wnat to comply with the rules of short nails, hair up, no perfume etc... When you are in nursing school you learn all of these things for a reason. she worked nursing for one year and now works in a lawyers office where she can "look good". i disagree that you can't look good in nursing. there are other creative ways to look nice without sacrificing patient care. when i worked in a bank i had the fake nails, perfume, jewlery. it was appropriate for that setting. it is inappropriate for healthcare. something people should consider before becoming a nurse.

[kyboyrn]

I have to say I see all your points. I can understand everything you guys say. I guess it's just hard for a male to relate in these kind of topics. I should probably just stay out of topics dealing with nails, hair, etc. Anyway, sorry if I offended anyone. Have a great day!

[mercyteapot]

Originally Posted by LPN2Be2004

(Why are ppl mentioning their years in this profession, like it's going to make a difference in the proven fact of what's dirtier?)

I'm guessing that the implication is supposed to be that they haven't infected anyone yet (*** that they know of!!!***), so they are just going to continue
to risk their patient's health. I had no idea that there were still hospitals that allowed acrylic nails, I haven't worked in a hospital in nearly 13 years and I never worked in one that allowed acrylics! There is just no reasoning with some people, I guess.

[GNik]

For any nurse to say they don't care what the studies say or they will do what they want to do regardless, is just an example of how our profession is slowly losing it's focus of the patient. To you nurses who don't care, I say don't let the door hit you in the butt as you leave.

Infection control is a serious issue in patient safety. If I could trace an infection to a nurse wearing fake nails or not washing hands properly or in someway contributing to the infection I'd cite that facility and the nurse and report her/him to their respective Boards.

Follow the rules or leave the profession. We need nurses who truly care about the job they do, not how the look for that 40 hours. I've been a nurse for 28 years and it is sad to see such lack of concern for our patients for the saske of vanity. P.S. Grow up and stop biting your nails.

[rn-medic]

i have short acrylic nails..and i can tell you i wash my hands all the time to prevent infection. fyi- i also have a few tattoos that are seen, 3 earrings in a ear and 4 in the other, and i wear my pentacle ALL the time....so when some a__ tells me some item on me has to go..(i'm like hoolahan) i'll be more than glad to say..all of me is going!!!!
...now let's see them find someone to work all those extra nites........hehehehe
robin

[Hellllllo Nurse]

Originally Posted by BHolliRNMS

Long nails also subject patients to skin tears and scratches when performing procedures. Outlawed where I work. Do what you please on your days off, but when you come to work, have clean short nails, minimum jewelry...oh, and lay off the brow rings, nose rings, lip rings, tongue rings, etc. And pull your hair up! lol

I agree!

The messy and/or long hair thing bugs me a lot, too.

I have VERY long hair, down to my behind. However, it is up in a neat bun when I'm at work.