Nurses please try to look a little more polished at work - Page 6

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  1. May 16, '12 by
    I worked with a Vet (male) who once told my VT friend/supervisor, who was standing next to me, that she should start putting on make-up so it alteast looked like she trys (to look attractive?). This was not part of a personal conversation, we were discussing scrub colors, dress code, etc. My mouth was just hanging open, I didn't even know what to say! She didn't say anything, she was always letting him run her over. If it was me I would have come to work the next day with hooker make-up on.

    "Yet here you are bashing other people. That is not very Christian."
    I just could not resist this...I live in the bible belt, and from what I go through and see as an atheist on a daily basis, the christians in my area are the first to look down on someone and be judgemental. No all of course, but in my lifetime I could count on one hand the amount of true christians I have ever met. Off topic but couldn't let it slide.
    jadelpn, floridanurse1983, hezza, and 13 others like this.
  2. Guide
    May 16, '12 by
    Quote from PetsToPeople

    "Yet here you are bashing other people. That is not very Christian."
    I just could not resist this...I live in the bible belt, and from what I go through and see as an atheist on a daily basis, the christians in my area are the first to look down on someone and be judgemental. No all of course, but in my lifetime I could count on one hand the amount of true christians I have ever met. Off topic but couldn't let it slide.
    Like you, PTP, I also live in the Bible belt. I have also experienced the judgment of Christians...my sister-in-law wouldn't even attend my wedding because she didn't believe that a divorced woman should re-marry, even though the very man that she had married-my brother-was divorced! Hypocritical? Absolutely. Do I let it take up rental space in my mind? Not even for a minute. She has the right to feel the way she does. It matters not to me.

    As I stated earlier, the only thing that one can do is to be an example for others. If you hold yourself to a certain standard, then you should concentrate on maintaining that standard instead of mentally degrading those who don't hold your own set of standards. Influence is usually achieved by finding a truly comfortable and confident sense of self and by living it. "Walk the talk". It isn't up to any of us to judge, but if we really want to make a difference, we only have to focus on how well we receive others and how well we present ourselves; with honesty, integrity and a sense of acceptance.
    jadelpn, milksteak, Esme12, and 6 others like this.
  3. May 16, '12 by
    I have been a nurse for many years, and I think it is more important to come to work clean versus polished. I was taught in training to have my hair kept up off my shoulders, no dangling earrings, rings with stones, bracelets, necklaces. Nails trimmed and clean. Shoes clean (not that they went home that way). I have seen nurses today wearing hoop earrings (wait until someone latches onto that), and Pandora bracelets. I always chose a simple haircut that was quick to get ready for the day (remember the Dorothy Hamill haircut?) I think makeup is a personal issue, but don't forget to use a little deoderant. I have had to counsel staff who needed some enlightening regarding their hygiene, it is not comfortable for either party. I would like to think we are all aware one can work up a sweat after along hard day, but coming to work smelling of old BO is quite different.
    texasmum, orthonurse55, ladawn reeves, and 1 other like this.
  4. May 16, '12 by
    There is not much you can do about your co-workers; they made their choices.
    Local standards differ in what is considered appropriate too.
    People are judged by their appearances, so you can continue to go to work looking good and reap the benefits of looking your best.
    brandy1017 likes this.
  5. May 16, '12 by
    I may be wrong, but OnlybyHisGrace seems to have some kind of personal vendetta against someone! I have not known any nurse who smells like they bath in cologne. Where I work all nurses are required to keep their hair off their collar and are not allowed to have any unnatural hair color. Not everyone wants to wear make up and should not be forced expected to. As for wearing scrubs that do not show your curves - get a life! nurses do not deliberately wear scrubs that are too small. Oh yes, how do you have so much time to spend concerning yourself with how your colleagues present themselves for work everyday? Real nurses spend their time on patient care.
    Zookeeper3, RN2011A, and psu_213 like this.
  6. May 16, '12 by
    Quote from nofern
    I may be wrong, but OnlybyHisGrace seems to have some kind of personal vendetta against someone! I have not known any nurse who smells like they bath in cologne. Where I work all nurses are required to keep their hair off their collar and are not allowed to have any unnatural hair color. Not everyone wants to wear make up and should not be forced expected to. As for wearing scrubs that do not show your curves - get a life! nurses do not deliberately wear scrubs that are too small. Oh yes, how do you have so much time to spend concerning yourself with how your colleagues present themselves for work everyday? Real nurses spend their time on patient care.
    I've worked with many nurses who either bathed in cologne or didn't bath at all, yuck.

    I would also say that I have worked/work with nurses who do attempt to dress sexually provocative at work. The whole rolling down the top of the scrub pants until I can tell that you shaved today is not abnormal. As a man I do not complain about this new fashion trend but as a professional it really brings down the image of the whole profession. The presentation that our cohorts and our facilities make is extremely important in maintaining the patient to nurse relationship. Our profession enjoys a certain level of inherent trust that many professions, including physicians, do not. Let's not naively think that the trust fostered between the nurse and patient is solely due to the tasks we perform at bedside.

    We are professionals, we should ALL act like it.
    Blue Felt Fedora, GM2RN, raincitynurse, and 8 others like this.
  7. Guide
    May 16, '12 by
    Quote from nofern
    nurses do not deliberately wear scrubs that are too small
    Somewhere, in the "Describe the Ugliest Scrubs You've Ever Seen" thread, there is a most beautiful post describing the world's tightest yellow scrubs.
    This delightful post is on page 2 and posted by RhiaRN75.
    (Sorry, I don't know how to link to it!)

    I laughed until I cried.

    So yes, some nurses do deliberately wear scrubs that are too tight.
    GM2RN, beckster_01, CecixLI, and 1 other like this.
  8. May 16, '12 by
    I agree with the idea behind the original post and the sentiments expressed by the other posters. I think the bottom line is to remember that as nurses, we have people's lives in our hands, so the way we present ourselves should inspire confidence. As a patient, I want to be confident that the nurses in charge of my care know what they're doing and are professionals. Body odor, wrinkled clothes, crazy hair, and other things of that nature don't inspire confidence. I don't, however, think everyone needs to wear makeup. I'm a mascara only girl myself :-)
    SandraCVRN likes this.
  9. May 16, '12 by
    Yes, nursing is a tiring job if not managed. and people have outside lives.. women and men we should take the time to care for our outside appearance as well. yes, we have flaws but we need to notice our own flaws on the inside. some of us do but i believe it is proper care to be well groomed, smelling good, nails short, fresh breath, and kindness to the patiens. to please people clean it up lol... it is proper to take care of our personal hygiene...
    orthonurse55 likes this.
  10. May 16, '12 by
    Proper hygiene is essential, no I don't want to smell like anyone else's fragrance or smoke...BUT...I might have some trouble with hiding the curves....I have trouble hiding these curves in a caftan :-)
    floridanurse1983, Purple_Scrubs, Twinmom06, and 4 others like this.