Professional in scrubs?

Nursing Students General Students

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Hello,

I just flipped through the April AJN and came across an interesting article r/t history of RN uniforms. An interesting point was made, that although new scrubs are cheaper, easier to take care of and maybe more comfortable there is a big problem with them: We all look alike, nurses, PCT/CNA, respiratory techs, housekeepers, etc. Patients have a difficult time distinguishing among healthcare professionals, and so do we.

Personally I do believe we should go back to nursing uniforms-it's a great tradition, maybe aside from the cap :chuckle We are professionals and our uniform is our singnature, after all if we respect it others may too. Now don't get me wrong, I do not wish to be looking like Florence, but a new, professional, clean cut design would do it for me. (Maybe that's why I'm going to the military? :rotfl: )

What do you think? :p

Hello,

I just flipped through the April AJN and came across an interesting article r/t history of RN uniforms. An interesting point was made, that although new scrubs are cheaper, easier to take care of and maybe more comfortable there is a big problem with them: We all look alike, nurses, PCT/CNA, respiratory techs, housekeepers, etc. Patients have a difficult time distinguishing among healthcare professionals, and so do we.

Personally I do believe we should go back to nursing uniforms-it's a great tradition, maybe aside from the cap :chuckle We are professionals and our uniform is our singnature, after all if we respect it others may too. Now don't get me wrong, I do not wish to be looking like Florence, but a new, professional, clean cut design would do it for me. (Maybe that's why I'm going to the military? :rotfl: )

What do you think? :p

I would never wear a white traditional nursing uniform. I absolutely hate them. I don't even like standard uniforms for everyone in general. Makes us look like a bunch of drones and bring up vibes of subservience to me. I like individuality, not cookie cutter one size fits all uniforms. I work with babies on an all RN unit, so there is no problem recognizing who is who. Plus, parents always complement me on my printed scrubs. It makes the place a little more homey and a little less sterile.

what about having a short white jacket with some thin colored stripe around the collar or something? (to differentiate between med students etc..) of course this idea will only work if others aren't allowed to wear a similar jacket, but at least that way you can still wear neat scrub pants and have a light jacket to denote that you are the nurse? I personally like this idea as i love pockets! and the jacket could come in short sleeves and long.

Specializes in Psychiatry.

I prefer the comfort of scrubs and think they look fine.>>

I totally agree here. The white uniform is just not practical, IMO & I like the variety of colors/patterns. I wear scrubs and look professional.

Kelly

Specializes in orthopaedics, perioperative.

If I am ever forced to work as a nurse in something other than comfy scrubs, then I'll quit nursing. And there is no way anyone will get me to wear one of those old-fashioned caps. I'd like to see the doctors wear the old nursing uniforms and caps, especially the men. :chuckle

Hello,

I just flipped through the April AJN and came across an interesting article r/t history of RN uniforms. An interesting point was made, that although new scrubs are cheaper, easier to take care of and maybe more comfortable there is a big problem with them: We all look alike, nurses, PCT/CNA, respiratory techs, housekeepers, etc. Patients have a difficult time distinguishing among healthcare professionals, and so do we.

Personally I do believe we should go back to nursing uniforms-it's a great tradition, maybe aside from the cap :chuckle We are professionals and our uniform is our singnature, after all if we respect it others may too. Now don't get me wrong, I do not wish to be looking like Florence, but a new, professional, clean cut design would do it for me. (Maybe that's why I'm going to the military? :rotfl: )

What do you think? :p

Nuring uniforms?Like dresses????stop it you are scaring me!LOL! seriously,...are you a nurse yet?Crawling over beds to transfer pts,...JP drainage,bloody dressing changes,urine(and other bodily fluids) contact,pleuravac,wound vacs with lovely sangious MRSA bacteria,vomit,etccc.......and you want to wear what color?White?OMG!!!!!!I spend 13 hours a night working...I want to be comfortable!And my pts know who I am and what I will be doing for them.....it is called an introduction at the begining of each shift.In todays nursing world the pristine uniform looks great but its not functional.As medicine has changed so has nursing! :p

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

A jacket????? At work???? Our AC broke down the other night, it was so hot up on that floor we were down to the undershirts.

A jacket would only manage to get dirty, wet, poopy, nasty, not to mention it's another layer of clothing. Yet another thing i'd have to wash. No thanks :D

A jacket????? At work???? Our AC broke down the other night, it was so hot up on that floor we were down to the undershirts.

A jacket would only manage to get dirty, wet, poopy, nasty, not to mention it's another layer of clothing. Yet another thing i'd have to wash. No thanks :D

We can't wear jackets due to infection control anyways.

Specializes in Mostly LTC, some acute and some ER,.

I'm not really the "dress" kind of person personally if i have to wear pantyhoes with it especially. I think that all the Media star nurses are wearing the traditinal stuff too. I heard somewhere that it might take effect! Yikes. Well I don't think this post counts since its coming from miss hip hugger flaired scrub pants, and when I'm not wearing those, then I'm wearing a croped scrub top. All my scrubs say something like Nurses Rock, Hello Kitty, or Nurses are Kool on them too lol.

Specializes in NICU.

This whole debate is why I love working in a unit where we have to wear the "sterile" surgical scrubs from the hospital. No one wears that ugly greenish-gray color unless they mean serious medical business, LOL. True, they are sometimes faded and wrinkled, but they always manage to look "clean" because of that surgical aspect to them. We all wear the same exact thing, so we look more like a team instead of individuals. I like that, personally. While it is true that doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists all look the same on our unit...it quickly becomes obvious by our words and actions what our jobs are and it's rare to have a patient's family get confused.

Specializes in Adult Med-Surg, Rehab, and Ambulatory Care.
I'm not really the "dress" kind of person personally if i have to wear pantyhoes with it especially. I think that all the Media star nurses are wearing the traditinal stuff too. I heard somewhere that it might take effect! Yikes. Well I don't think this post counts since its coming from miss hip hugger flaired scrub pants, and when I'm not wearing those, then I'm wearing a croped scrub top. All my scrubs say something like Nurses Rock, Hello Kitty, or Nurses are Kool on them too lol.

Media star nurses??? I think I'm going to pee my pants from laughing here. :chuckle

Mandi, I'm dying to see what you wear to work. Pictures? Cropped scrub tops and hip-hugging flared pants???

Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Did someone here recommend a return to dresses? Oh no! Tell me it isn't so :uhoh3:

the older I get the less important this topic sounds. If we act professional it will show.

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