jacket length

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

I know this may be a really weird question. I need to know what is the proper length of a lab coat. I have an opportunity to act as a nurse representative, volunteer. I have done it once and I do not have a white coat. They had coats for me to where, but they were long. I was under the impression that types of coats were designated to types of healthcare providers. Our MSN case workers wear longer coats.

We can tell interns from residents by their coat lengths.

I am just an RN. What is appropriate? Short scrub jacket with my name enbroidered? or can I wear a little longer? they go from 29 in to knee length (42-44 in) They also have some mid length ~36 in.

I have respect for people's position and I would not want to assume to be something I am not.

Any input?

[Fiona59]

A unit clerk in my hospital wears a lab coat to the knee. Most of the time, my residents are in scrubs. I wore a full coat in a chemistry course.

It's a piece of white cotton/polyester.

I personally wouldn't worry about it.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

In medicine the short (waist-length) jackets are for docs in training-- med students, residents, and such. Long white coats go to faculty and attendings.

In nursing, we aren't so picky. I worked in one in-house case mgmt job where they issued us long (knee-length) white lab coats with wonderful big pockets, embroidered with the name of the group. I bought my own shorter ones (hip-length, +/-) when I taught clinical, and at another clinical specialist job, I bought more (still good pockets, though). I really liked these: https://www.doveapparel.com/products

I'd say wear what they issue you with the assumption that it's acceptable, or go to the uniform shop or online and find some nice ones that look good on you, and leave it at that.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Thank you! I want to buy my own so I can have it fit properly and have my name on it. I think the ones that were available were left by docs. I liked the longer length and bigger pockets. I like the idea of hip length.

I also have colleagues that are MSN students and they have long coats. I just don't want to look stupid :)