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What is the point of a uniform?



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  #1  
Old Feb 19, 2007, 01:58 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
What is the point of a uniform?

I don't understand what the point is. Many nurses wear scrubs, whites, pants with polos, all colors, patterns, prints, animals, cartoon animals, many styles. Many nurses wear their personal jackets or sweat shirts over their tops. Why should we have to wear a uniform if some nurses even wear sweat pants???

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  #2  
Old Feb 19, 2007, 03:04 AM
nurse4theplanet (Female)
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Re: What is the point of a uniform?

Are you talking about uniforms during nursing school or at your place of employment?

We wore all white uniforms throughout nursing school. The dress code was very strict. We were easily identified among the staff which I think was part of the reasoning. Also, it instilled some values regarding professional dress. I still starch my lab coat!

Now, in the real world of nursing, I still have a uniform. Blue or white scrubs or a combination of the two colors. The policy is a little more lax...I can wear the shoes I want, a sweatshirt of the same colors, or polos that have the hospital logo printed on them. I appreciated this coming out as a new grad...I can easily identify who is a nurse, an RT, dietary, etc. by the uniform/colors they wear. So can the patients.

At another local hospital, you can wear whatever types of scrubs you want. It is hard to tell a nurse from a CNA or housekeeping. I don't agree with that policy.

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  #3  
Old Feb 19, 2007, 03:32 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Re: What is the point of a uniform?

Dunno bout everyone else, but I do not wear anything but scrubs to work because I do not want to be wearing bodily fluids and such on my "usual" clothing. However, doesn't a badge with RN written on it and a professional introduction including " Hi my name is x, and I am an RN" indicate what your position is, scrubs or not? Maybe management needs to talk to those who wear sweats and sweatshirts to work? It would be addressed here right away...

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  #4  
Old Feb 19, 2007, 04:07 AM
canoehead's Avatar
canoehead (Female)
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Re: What is the point of a uniform?

Nope, no sweatpants here, yuck.

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  #5  
Old Feb 19, 2007, 04:33 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Re: What is the point of a uniform?

"Dunno bout everyone else, but I do not wear anything but scrubs to work because I do not want to be wearing bodily fluids and such on my "usual" clothing."

Ditto here. I don't want the stuff on my clothes!! At our facility we are not allowed to wear anything but scrubs unless it is a special occasion. IE: when we play Michigan we can wear our Ohio State shirts and jeans if we like on that Friday and Saturday. Other than days like that, it is scrubs for all.

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  #6  
Old Feb 19, 2007, 07:26 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Re: What is the point of a uniform?

Most employers have dress code policies to address what is to be worn. Your uniform reflects how you feel about your self, your profession, and your patients. Any clothing worn at work should be dedicated to work clothing only if you work in a patient care setting simply because of infection control issues. Do you really want to wear your jacket at work then look down at a social function and see that stain on the hem? And not know what it is or where you've dragged it across? And do you want people to see you as a dedicated professional wearing a clean, tidy, uniform even if it is scrubs or as a jogger who just stepped in to help out a little bit?

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  #7  
Old Feb 19, 2007, 10:21 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Re: What is the point of a uniform?

I only wear scrubs too for the same reason as someone else mentioned...I don't want body fluids on my regular clothes.

We are going to a strict dress code April 1st. Respiratory (black) and housekeeping (burgandy) have already started theirs. Nurses will wear white or ceil blue and techs will wear navy. No t-shirts or sweatshirts are allowed. Shoes are to be made of leather and if clogs are worn, the strap must be worn across the back of the ankle. Only 1 pair of stud earrings...and only women may wear them. No embroidery unless it's the hospital logo. No visable tatoos. There's more piddly requirements but I won't bore you with them.

Some staff have worn long sleeve t-shirts under their scrubs and I think most look neat and still professional looking. However, we have had some who've pushed it and come to work very sloppy looking and I think that's the reason they're now saying no t-shirts/sweats. For example, we have one tech who is very heavy and one day, she came to work with very baggy sweat pants. Then the next, she came in with sweats that were skin tight and barely made it past her knees. Not a good sight.

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  #8  
Old Feb 19, 2007, 10:43 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Re: What is the point of a uniform?

Originally Posted by SCRN1 View Post
I only wear scrubs too for the same reason as someone else mentioned...I don't want body fluids on my regular clothes.

We are going to a strict dress code April 1st. Respiratory (black) and housekeeping (burgandy) have already started theirs. Nurses will wear white or ceil blue and techs will wear navy. No t-shirts or sweatshirts are allowed. Shoes are to be made of leather and if clogs are worn, the strap must be worn across the back of the ankle. Only 1 pair of stud earrings...and only women may wear them. No embroidery unless it's the hospital logo. No visable tatoos. There's more piddly requirements but I won't bore you with them.

Some staff have worn long sleeve t-shirts under their scrubs and I think most look neat and still professional looking. However, we have had some who've pushed it and come to work very sloppy looking and I think that's the reason they're now saying no t-shirts/sweats. For example, we have one tech who is very heavy and one day, she came to work with very baggy sweat pants. Then the next, she came in with sweats that were skin tight and barely made it past her knees. Not a good sight.
i would guess you dont work at a university/public hospital?
otherwise i would think the guys might have a case for discrimination...

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  #9  
Old Feb 19, 2007, 10:50 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Re: What is the point of a uniform?

He he. I think scrubs are sexy!
Anyone else?? C'mon...

And I do agree that from a practicality standpoint, you don't want to risk getting blood, urine, puke, you name it on your non-work clothes. It's not like I personally have a whole pile of cash to replace them with...

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  #10  
Old Feb 19, 2007, 11:37 AM
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Re: What is the point of a uniform?

Originally Posted by morte View Post
i would guess you dont work at a university/public hospital?
otherwise i would think the guys might have a case for discrimination...
I work at a big heart hospital, but it is a private one. I said the same thing about the guys and discrimination.

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