Nurses please try to look a little more polished at work

[OnlybyHisgraceRN]

To the smokers I work with, please do yourselves and patients a favor by brushing your teeth after smoking. the smell of smoke makes me gag, and I feel sorry for your already nauseated patients.

To the supervisor that baths in his cologne... don't. it smells horrible.

To the nurse with the huge blond hair. it looks like a bomb was set off in your hair. did you use a whole bottle of stiff on it? and you may want to wear better fitting scrubs, I'm curvy as well, but I don't like to show my curves at work.

Yes, I do like to wear make up and manicured nails( no chipping, or fakes nails) to work everyday. not only does it make me feel good but patients notice as well. looks are first impressions, and I like to make a good one.

[ImKosher]

What exactly did she say that was so rude/out of line? Try to clear off any cigarrete smoke you may be carrying, don't overdo it with cologne/perfume, don't show up to work looking like you just fell out of bed, wear appropriately sized clothing. I mean people are going to take offense to that? Seriously?

Since the individual does not agree with the OP, they have branded this post "rude". At that, other members are criticizing the OP about her nickname, no better way to troll people.

[Asystole RN]

So, it is acceptable for you to criticize others behind their backs (instead of communicating directly with them), but when others point out your errors, they are policing you?

No one likes criticism, particularly passive-aggressive criticism. You could make productive use of your concerns and approach your unit-based council with research on the ties between appearance and perception of professionalism. You could speak to your co-workers politely and discreetly. Perhaps the smelly co-worker has a medical condition or is depressed.

Instead, you prefer to use a public forum to decry someone else's behavior and appearance, and to establish a link between appearance and perceived professionalism. However, you quickly felt the need to call me the grammar police when I noted that you also appeared unprofessional by using poor grammar and spelling. We all have shortcomings.

I was trying to point this out. I am more interested in correcting my own flaws than always looking for flaws in others. I also don't have time to monitor my co-workers' appearance as I am too busy taking care of my own patients.

I find it humorous that one would point out another's grammatical shortcomings when they themself suffer the same affliction. I personally freely admit that my grammar is of a lesser quality.

Do you propose that there is not a link, or question the existence thereof, between appearance and professional perception? I was under the impression that this was a long held principle that was far from debate, my sociology and leadership courses have again failed me.

The professionalism, and the appearance thereof, of an individual nurse affects the entire profession. We all have the ethical duty, as outlined by the ANA code of ethics, to maintain and preserve the profession. We are not viewed as individuals by our patients, we are viewed as a professional entity.

I was under the impression that this was a nursing forum, I would think that the ranting of fellow nurses would be par for the course. She has a real grievance that she wanted to express to her fellow nurses and she did so, keeping the offender's identity non specific and anonymous. I can find no fault in her actions but I am but a humble nurse with no opinions or grievances.

[Sparrowhawk]

Well. Since there's so many differing views of professionalism. I think I'll just go to work naked tomorrow. That should cause a stir.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Well. Since there's so many differing views of professionalism. I think I'll just go to work naked tomorrow. That should cause a stir.

Go to work naked Thursday? I spy a new trend here.

[Hygiene Queen]

Go to work naked Thursday? I spy a new trend here.

This made me think of some of my coworkers.

No.

:uhoh21:

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

This made me think of some of my coworkers.

No.

:uhoh21:

Dont drag the war on fat thread into here

[Asystole RN]

Well. Since there's so many differing views of professionalism. I think I'll just go to work naked tomorrow. That should cause a stir.

Wrong profession. Those poles are not IV poles.

[RockinChick66]

Oh my goodness . This thread is weird. First thing that came to my mind was the OPs age. Okay, well maybe she looks a little fresher than we older nurses, that don't mean we don't do our best to look professional. You know, maybe I have sagging skin, but my clothes are ironed, I don't smoke and I fix my hair and wear make up. But by mid day, I usually look like something the cat dragged in. I know I don't look like you OP cause I don't have your youth, therefore, I may not have the first impressions that you believe are important. I do know Im a good nurse and my pts love me, they really love me!!!!!

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I think some of you guys read waaaaaaaaaaaay too much into my post. I stated that my PERSONAL preference is for ME to wear light make up and light polish. However, nurses should at the bare minimal smell and look clean. Why come to work dirty?

I agree with you on this...but why bring up the manicured nails and the nurse who spends too much time on her hair?

[RockinChick66]

And we apologize for having pillow wrinkles on our faces when we show up to work. Hahahehe

[txsummerRN]

I know 2 managers who had to have the 'body odor talk' with an employee. They both felt terrible about it, but their coworkers were extremely grateful!

[carrie_c]

We have to wear hospital provided scrubs on my floor. We have to change into them when we get to work and change out of them when we leave. They are wrinkled and baggy. But who cares? They are free, and we don't have to worry about washing them. As for my hair, it is long, so it stays in a ponytail at work. I try to keep my nails looking nice. And I do wear makeup. No one would want to see me without it, not very pretty. I think as long as you look clean and smell that way, that's all that matters. We did have a tech that would spray tons of perfume on in the locker room. It would really stink. She got fired, thankfully. I think that's just rude. And smoking is just nasty anyway.