"Cookie Cutter" uniforms

Nurses General Nursing

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Ok, I am having a problem with something that probably shouldn't be a problem. I am about to start a new job, all of the staff met this week to introduce ourselves (this is a new physician's practice with an all new staff). Well, we have this slightly anal office manager who suggested to our doctor that the staff all wear the same uniforms, you know everyone wear the same style and color on certain days (blue on Monday, Teal on Tuesday, ugh! :angryfire ) I personally hate this idea, I feel like my uniform is one of the only ways I can express some individuality. I am not talking about wearing wild, off the wall scrubs either. I have a closet full of scrubs that will go to waste while I have to wear colors and styles chosen by someone else. I know this shouldn't be such a big deal, but the more I think about it the more it bothers me. I am beginning to think I need to bring it up while we are still in the beginning stages, but then part of me thinks I should just go along with it to kep the peace. What do you all think? Do any of you have strong opinions about this as well or am I just being a cry baby? Your input and advice would be appreciated.

Limik

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I've said it before: if they want to pay for it, I'll wear whatever they want. Otherwise, I PICK MY OWN CLOTHES!

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"Slightly Anal" office manager? :chuckle You should be able to wear whatever you want. What difference does it make? I personally, love it when Nurses wear different scrubs. I especially like seasonal scrubs. I have some really cute ones, but we can only wear hospital scrubs where I work (yes, they are provided). I believe if the uniform is required attire, the employer must absorb the full cost. So, if your employer is requiring that everyone wear the same style and the same color on designated days, he/she would have to provide them. Any additional uniforms would be out of pocket for the employee. I think you can get a tax deduction for work uniforms as well. Just out of curiosity, is the office manager a Nurse?

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I am still a CNA and am told what to wear. I must say I do think it looks better when all of the staff fit into a dress code, my dentists office does it, and it looks wonderful. However, I hate it when it's me. I can't stand to be told what to wear but ceil blue is cheap and easy to find.

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Specializes in home health.

Think of the word "uniform"..it means "the same"

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My mom works in a physician's office, and that's how they do it too. They provide a $300/year clothing allowance as well.

What happens if you get confused as to which color to wear on a certain day? ;)

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I worked as an aide way back in 87 in LTC and we all had to wear the colour pink. The nurses all wore white and the kitchen and laundry staff each wore a different colour. Call me old fashioned but I like the all one colour idea. At that point in time it also denoted rank. (which believe it or not I thought was very nice).

Having just been in British Columbia...helping my mom get her surgery to have her hip replaced. I was totally confused in the hospital as to who was who and what they were. Although the LPN's there wore this very horrid grape coloured uniform. (yikes).

Just the other day while getting my immunization updated at our hospital here in Alberta, I was quite surprised to see the laundry staff in those wild colours and designed scrubs. The whole hospital was a hodgepodge of wild and wacky shirts and I had no idea who was who.

As for the "wear a certain colour to work on such and such a day"...well knowing me....in a rush to get ready I would hate to stand there each morning and try to remember the colour I am supposed to be wearing.

Was just looking at scrubs in the city the other day and frankly, I found that the designed tops were horrid...I am steering away from anything cutsey or with ugh....flowers all over.

I like one colour period....one for LPN's one for RN's.....etc along down the line. I think it helps the patients and there is less confusion as to who we are. Maybe something less intimidating for Ped's for the wee patients though.

And while we are on the subject :rotfl: .....I am all for the nice white duty shoes too. None of these clogs or sneakers. I guess all I am saying is nursing staff should all look professional and not like they are about to go to the beach.

Anyhow.....that is my two cents worth LOL.

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Specializes in Gen Surg, Peds, family med, geriatrics.
I've said it before: if they want to pay for it, I'll wear whatever they want. Otherwise, I PICK MY OWN CLOTHES!

You took the words right out of my mouth....er....keyboard. :chuckle

Tell the office manager that you don't have a problem wearing the same colours but that you don't have the money to buy new uniforms. If they want to dictate what colours you wear and when then they must give you an adequate uniform allowance.

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I like to have a little choice in my attire! Now one hospital I worked in had a nice plan. They picked out a two color scheme, teal and navy, then picked a accent color of purple so that you could find a patterened scrub top that had only those colors in it if you wanted. That way you had some choices...at times not much...but LOL, they didn't say anything about socks and we went wild! LOL!

My current employer, tan pants, pastel button down shirt, white vest with pockets. You can wear pastels in small checkers only, but other than that no prints. But we have causual Fridays where we all tend to wear scrubs with fun prints. And it is rather nice! And our residents always know when it is Friday (which helps because many don't remember days).

Yeah and employer pay for uniforms...I have NEVER had them pay or give an allowance! I have to buy my own stuff!

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I agree that it is fun to be able to wear your own scrubs, however, I think it sometimes looks nice when everyone is dressed the same. HOWEVER, there is no way I would take the extra time to figure out what color to wear on each day, that is RIDICULOUS. What if oh my gosh, its wedneday but my Wed outfit isnt clean!! :crying2: Either be able to wear what you want or always wear the same color. No switching every day.

And yes yes yes, bring your concerns up now, while it is in the beginning stage. And no no no, you are nto being a baby, you are being real. Let us know how it turns out!

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Specializes in Home Health Care,LTC.

My opinion is if they want you to wear certain scrubs then they need to pay for them. Myself I like to wear different things all the time. I am not the person to go hog wild. But I do like some colorful tops and some of the charcter tops are pretty tasteful. When I would wear them to the school where I worked the kids just loved them and was always asking ? Just my 2 cents.

Angelia

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"Slightly Anal" office manager? :chuckle You should be able to wear whatever you want. What difference does it make? I personally, love it when Nurses wear different scrubs. I especially like seasonal scrubs. I have some really cute ones, but we can only wear hospital scrubs where I work (yes, they are provided). I believe if the uniform is required attire, the employer must absorb the full cost. So, if your employer is requiring that everyone wear the same style and the same color on designated days, he/she would have to provide them. Any additional uniforms would be out of pocket for the employee. I think you can get a tax deduction for work uniforms as well. Just out of curiosity, is the office manager a Nurse?

No, the office manager is not a nurse (Big surprise , huh?). I am still thinking it over, but I am leaning towards mentioning my concerns at our next face to face meeting. You bet if we do all have to wear certain colors, they will be paying for them. Thanks for all of your replies. Keep 'em coming. :)

Limik

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