What do you do with your wedding ring?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello everyone!

I am going back to the bedside after having an office job for a while. I recently got married and am wondering what I should do with my wedding ring.

My ring slips off easily, but if I get it resized any smaller, it will not fit over my knuckle. I don't want it to slip off when frequently taking off gloves, and I have tried silicone rings like Qalo, and I have the same issue.

What does everyone else do with their wedding rings?

Thanks!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I wore mine, but left the engagement ring at home so it wouldn't scratch a patient (especially one with parchment-like skin!). Some people say nurses should not wear any rings at work, but I think it's a matter of personal preference. If your ring is slipping off your finger though, you probably don't want to wear it at work so you don't lose it.

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I wore mine, but left the engagement ring at home so it wouldn't scratch a patient (especially one with parchment-like skin!). Some people say nurses should not wear any rings at work, but I think it's a matter of personal preference. If your ring is slipping off your finger though, you probably don't want to wear it at work so you don't lose it.

Luckily, I only have the one ring (I'm a guy), and I feel super weird not wearing it or at least having it on me. When I worked in law enforcement, I would wear a Qalo while on duty with my actual ring in my armor vest pocket. During training, I would just wear the Qalo.

Unfortunately, scrub pockets are too loose to keep my actual ring in!

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

LOL, I didn't realize you were a guy---never looked at your avatar. DUH. Then I had to Google Qalo because I didn't know what that was. I'd think a silicone ring would be perfectly safe. I learn something new every day. :-)

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I'm a guy. I wear a cheap, narrow, stainless steel ring from Amazon while I work. Cheap (like $6 cheap) means it's easily replaceable. Stainless steel means I can bleach it if needed. Narrow means I can dry my finger off well, and have had zero dermatitis issues. I've never had it come off in the many years I've been wearing it.

Silicone rings gave me dermatitis.

I leave my real ring at home.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care-Family Medicine.

I don't wear my ring at work.

My real ring has diamonds that stick up and scratch patients or tear through gloves, my silicone ring starts to feel gross after a couple of hours of sanitizer and soap being built up on and I can't realistically take it off to clean it in between every single patient.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

Mr. Ruby Jane didn't wear a ring for years as an ER and cardiology nurse. It didn't bother me. He knew he was married. How does Ms. Neprhon44 feel?

When I was heavily pregnant I pinned my ring to my scrub top or put it on a chain.

I love the idea of buying a cheap, sterling ring, if you feel you need to. Other people I've know have gotten tattoos on that finger.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
What does everyone else do with their wedding rings?

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Specializes in Hematology-oncology.
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Davey Do, I should know by now not to drink anything while reading your posts. :)

On a somewhat related note, during my 7 year pediatric gig, we sometimes got floated to the NICU. Policy there was no objects (clothing, jewelry, watch, or otherwise) below the elbows, and we surgically scrubbed in before touching the neonates. Many of us wore our wedding rings on a chain around our necks or pinned to our scrub tops. I never thought about the nose option though!!

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Davey Do, I should know by now not to drink anything while reading your posts. :)

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I don't understand the problem with leaving a wedding ring at home during working hours. It's not like you are going to a bar or club and trying to represent yourself as single for nefarious reasons. The commitment isn't any less without a ring and the only one who really needs to know about your commitment during your shift is your spouse.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I didn't wear rings when working the floor. Brings home too many germs. As a newlywed it is understandable you probably want to have your ring(s) on, but it is healthier for you and your patients to just leave them home. I focused on enjoying the moment I got to look at them and slip them back on again.

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