Why Whites ?

[Bertha Seda]

On our unit , staff is only allowed to wear whites or a heart pattern top with white pants. Rumor has it that patients find whites more professional. Our staff is wanting the freedom of choice and is faced with the task of convincing management to have an open mind and give us a little leeway. Any suggestions ??

[RNforLongTime]

I disagree with nurses wearing all white. White is so hard to keep white! I too am a slob and end up with ink, yellow highliter, tube feed, etc on me at times.

A patient should be able to identify their nurse not because she or he is the one wearing all white but because that person has introduced him or herself to the patient as such at the beginning of the shift. When I first go into the rooms of my patients, I introduce my self. "my name is Kelly and I will be your registered nurse for the night". Of course the confused patients will forget but I still introduce myself just the same.

I agree too with the name badge issue. Mine is constantly getting flipped around so that the back of the badge is facing the patient. I wear one that I had made in addition to the one provided by the hospital. The print on those things is so hard to read! How do they expect the elderly to read them!

I much prefer wearing my cute printed scrubs. I am always geting compliments on how cute they are. I have ones for Valentines Day, Halloween, St. Patties Day, Thanksgiving and of course Christmas!

[Q.]

See the thread "Nurse Impersonators" and you will see why wearing white wouldn't be such a big sacrifice. That is, until MA programs stop having all white uniforms and "capping" ceremonies at graduation.

[mattsmom81]

Back when I was a young nurse (long, long time ago, I can still remember...) I wore white. And a smaller version of a Flying Nun-like cap. I do feel there was more respect for nurses in those days, may have something to do with the fact we didn't have all these UAP's and techs of a million colors around. Nurses did most of the stuff then.

[RoaminHankRN]

I think we would get more respect if we help out our new grads and promote our profession. Have some universal standards across the country. (Like mandatory CE's for every state) And stop the jealousy and gossiping that occurs. The color of our uniforms will not give us respect. Does the LAPD uniform give them respect? It's your attitude and degree of professionalism.

Hank

[Hardknox]

What you wear does not make you an RN. Go into the room, WITH your badge on, introduce yourself as "(Your Name), RN" and act like a professional. Unless they are demented, they'll know who their nurses is.

[BadBird, BSN, RN]

I personally think white makes you look like a student. I prefer colored scrubs, people feel better wearing something fun rather that just plain old white which by the way turns yellow quickly and shows every betadine stain.

[HazeK]

here is one patient's perspective:

My mother had a full cardiac arrest and, after being revived, was very easily confused & frightened. In later conversations with her, she said the only time she felt safe was when a man or woman in all white came to her bedside to help her. Otherwise, she couldn't tell the CNAs from the housekeepers from the clerks, because the rest of the staff all work "pick-your-own" scrubs, but all RNs wore only white!

I know they are a pain in the (*#$ to keep white but I will always think they look more professional! :-)

[sharann, BSN, RN]

I used to like the White uniforms, but in my facility and others I've been in, nursing students, (lpn,rn) wear all white. Also, CNA students and CNA's wear all white. So does RT and sometimes PT and OT(usually wear white jackets only). Some of the docs dress like they just came from the beach (while others wear $1000 suits, go figure). If we want to return to all white for nurses, is this for RN's, LVN's all licenced nurses etc...? Then what do students wear? They have a hard enough time with their white adjustment. I feel that all in all, a health care professional should look neat and clean, and practice good hygeine (as well as good pt care).

By the way, our state requires the credentials of the nurse to be a certain size on the badge RN CNA LPN RT all stand out LOUD and CLEAR on our badges.

[Ariko]

Another vote for a return to whites. They are so professional.

Cheers

[135ctv]

I agree that whites (and hats) do look very professional. But I also remember that when I was in the hospital as a small child, nurses in whites and hats looked kind of scary.

[nursedawn67, LPN]

I prefer colored scrubs, nursing students that come into my facility wear white. Besides the residents that live at the LTC facility I work at enjoy the different patterns and colors of the scrubs, and it makes them feel less like they are living in a nursing facility. :)

[jschut, BSN, RN]

I personally like the whites. They look professional. I like the caps too. I think I'm the only one in my class who ordered one.....

Julie:)