Forced wearing of nursing cap.

[onetiredstudent]

I'm a senior registered nursing student and our school has a pinning ceremony to mark the completion of our program.

Our class contains about 20% men, equal split of black and white in both genders. I am approaching 50 and this is not my first career.

The director of the nursing program gave the class the "option to vote" on the wearing of a nurses cap for the pinning ceremony and our class photo. The majority of the class voted to wear the cap, men excluded from wear.

I do not wish to wear the cap and have been told by program director that "the class voted to wear it and you have to or you will not be able to participate". I understand the cap is traditional, but I feel it calls specific attention to my gender and not my success in passing nursing school. I've worked very hard to get where I'm at and I wish to celebrate my success with a pinning ceremony.

I truly feel that being "forced" to wear the cap is discriminatory based on my gender alone. Period. The guys are not made to wear them because they are considered "feminine or female dress", and I don't wish to be "forced" to dress as such either (we are all wearing pant-scrubs by unanimous vote).

I respect the choice of anyone else that wishes to wear the nursing cap. I don't and won't presume to force my opinion on them.

Has anyone else had this experience?

Does anyone know of any precedence against forced wearing of nursing caps to participate in school activities, etc? Any input on how else to proceed in approaching my school administration would be appreciated.

I welcome the input from both genders, seasoned and new nurses, students and educators, and anyone else on here that wants to chime in.

I ask only, that you be nice to me and each other. This is very serious for me.

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

I'm not reading all the responses.

My grad class (1992) had the option to wear them or not based on individual preference. No "vote" BS. I think one person wore it.

I had hoped they were a relic by now. Apparently they keep rearing their ugly heads (no pun intended).

[DoGoodThenGo]

Her way wasn't discriminatory. It's not like there's an anatomical reason men can't wear hats. Either make EVERYONE wear the hats or don't require it.

Male nurses do not wear caps because they are part of female uniform. It wouldn't occur to most normal hetrosexual male nurses to wear a cap no more than they would skirts, nylons and high heels.

[echoRNC711, BSN]

I suspect if you just show up wihout the cap they will just say "go ahead."

I am from over sees so didn't realize the pinning ceremony was going to be a big deal. I figured if I have a gown on who would notice what I was wearing so I wore my jeans a t-shirt and white sneekers. Wow! was I shocked when I got there and seen how dressed up everyone was. They took one look at me,laughed and said "man those white sneekers look a riot under the gown ".

At the pinning I got a special mention because of it and I think its my fondest memory of nursing school because I was just being true to myself.

[Guttercat, ASN, RN]

Of course not.

But this is not sex discrimination. You are not being denied any of the facilities or opportunities of your educational program based on your gender. A photograph doesn't meet that standard. Care to play again?

Well then by that argument she can show up for the photograph in a cap, and a jockstrap worn on the outside.

Mandating all females wear a cap or they will be excluded, is sex discrimination.

Care to play again?

[DoGoodThenGo]

Oh good grief. This comes up every year. They need to just get rid of the caps, period. News flash: it's almost 2013. Nobody wears them EVER in practice so why some people get so strung out on the whole cap thing I'll never know. I'm a guy though so maybe there's something about it I don't get. That being said, I would chose to not participate.

Hang on to your cap (or hat) because that blanket statement about nurses (RN and LPN) not wearing caps in practice *EVER* is just not true.

Maybe not where you work but there are still quite a few nurses who wear caps on duty and not just for Nurse's Week either.

Kays Caps does a good business and not just for graduations and or Halloween either. Then there is the fact caps can go for *BIG* money on places like eBay. Find it hard to believe someone would pay $$$ for something they were going to chuck into a drawer. Collectors yes, but not many others.

[FDW630]

Well then by that argument she can show up for the photograph in a cap, and a jockstrap worn on the outside.

Mandating all females wear a cap or they will be excluded, is sex discrimination.

Care to play again?

Seeing as how the cap is part of a female uniform, it really isn't sexual discrimination. A guy wearing the cap would be about like OP wearing a jock strap. Should they make men wear stockings too? I hate stockings as much as anyone, but making women in a group wear them but not men is not discrimination either.

OP, if this is the biggest fish you have to fry, you need to try a new pond. It sucks to be on the losing end of a vote, but majority rules. See past the cap and just celebrate your great accomplishment with those who went through it with you! Congrats on the hard work. :)

[3aremyjoy]

OP, if this is the biggest fish you have to fry, you need to try a new pond. It sucks to be on the losing end of a vote, but majority rules. See past the cap and just celebrate your great accomplishment with those who went through it with you! Congrats on the hard work. :)

Best statement I have seen yet!

I understand this isn't something you would personally choose to wear. But these are your classmates that you have spent the last few years working along side. Suffering together, worrying together. They are your team! You're embarking on an occupation that is based on team work. Show yourself to be a team player, put on that hat (with pride of the amazing nurses that have helped pave this way for you) and attend your pinning ceremony. You've worked so hard to earn this moment. Don't let a hat stand in the way of your moment!

[nursel56]

Sounds like a lot of people are saying that anytime there is a separate dress code for men and women it's discrimination. What if some of the women didn't want to wear scrub pants with their cap, or one of the guys wanted to wear a skirt? I know that sounds silly on the surface, but when you associate articles of dress with discrimination of any sort you open that door. It was probably a dumb idea to let the class vote on it because a cap with scrubs is going to look really incongruous, and white scrubs flatter just about nobody.

[nguyency77, CNA]

Oh, for goodness' sake... Just wear it.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

Male nurses do not wear caps because they are part of female uniform. It wouldn't occur to most normal hetrosexual (sic) male nurses to wear a cap no more than they would skirts, nylons and high heels.

Hey, I resemble that remark. (see avatar)

[nguyency77, CNA]

@BlueDevil, DNP: I was really thinking of your avatar when someone said that men don't wear nursing caps!

[qualityangel]

Oh for goodness sake.

The OP has several options open to her:

1. Refuse to wear the cap *and* take her place at the ceremony, basically threatening the powers that be to take action.

2. Do not attend the ceremony on principle or whatever reason she chooses.

3. Suck it up and wear the darn thing, it will only be less than two hours out of nursing career that will span decades (hopefully), and then she can do what countless other grads have; take the cap off and chuck it into a closet/drawer never to see the light of day again.

One assumes this matter was discussed at length before the vote was taken and therefore the OP was given ample time along with others to express her views and or objections. If the majority won the day you can be sure they aren't going to look too fondly upon a *rebel* looking to spoil their special day.

I do agree that this is discrimination. We had the same thing at our LPN pinning. However, going to the ceremony as a "rebel" will not do anything to advance your career. You will be seen as not a team player and if you ever want your nursing instructors/director to give you a recommendation, I would avoid doing this-it will come back to haunt you. Yes, it is very political and for just one day, you can play their game-or not go at all. Trust me, the minute the ceremony is over, it won't seem like such a big deal. Play the game or don't play the game but don't "burn bridges" that you may need later on. If I had caused a big deal at my LPN graduation, I can guarantee you that I would not have received good recommendations for RN school. Your choice.