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

When I was in nursing school, I couldnt wait until the day I could wear scrubs. To me, that was the identification of the nursing feild, whether it be a CNA, LVN or RN. In the facility I work in, our PT/OT/ST staff wears either casual dress, or navy blue scrubs. The housekeeping staff all wear polo shirts and slacks. the Kitchen staff wear white shirts and black pants. The dietician wears casual dress clothes with a lab coat. And the nurses and cna's all wear teal scrubs. Now, it takes *maybe* a week to learn whos who, (maybe longer if your color blind) and of course this color coding system is specific to my facility, but maybe something like that could be utilized? IMO, scrubs are the best attire for patient care. They are comfortable, washable, HAVE POCKETS! :) and, when youre struggling with a combative patient, or when you have to crawl around looking for the bedpan that was kicked under the bed, do you really want to be wearing something any dressier than that? (note: i did NOT say "a dress") Because when youre down there crawling around, and your knee squishes through BM and smears down your leg, nothing looks more *unprofessional* than dressy clothing that is dirty. Scrubs at least, you sort of expect them to get dirty. It comes with the territory. Nursing was never called a "clean" profession. :)

On another note, just something that grates me raw: Unless you are *new* to the Internet, you would know that typing in caps is considered rude and considered yelling. It is *not* one person's perspective on capital letters.

I suggest checking out: http://www.er.uqam.ca/merlin/xw999998/eng/enetiquet.htm

to educate yourself before you look silly. :)

Specializes in OB/GYN.
But who says ANYTHING ABOUT DRESSES OR WHITE???? On the contrary, maybe pants, color appropriate, just professional looking and comfy most of all. Something that will say, I'm a nurse and I'm proud of it, and there is no mistake about it. :p That's all (President Bush would like the "make no mistake about it" :rotfl: )

I absolutely agree with you. Something smart, yet unstarched. I think scrubs can look too scruffy at times. Sorry, but some people don't take enough care of their appearance, and scrubs don't enhance that. I am not saying that we are all tatty-looking, but I think a more regimented uniform would be more professional.

I know big and baggy is comfy, but to be quite honest, smart and tailored is far more flattering! :)

When my Dad was in hospital, a good practice of theirs was to write on a dry erase board, the name of the nurse and the name of the tech. We got to know them all by name and they helped me with my training (I am currently studying for my RN).

i think the scrubs should be for the health care team only cna lpn and rns. i go to the local walmart and see "everyone" wearing them. at the hospital you don't know who you are talking with until you look at their name. the accounting people the ones who deliver the food to patients and this cracks me up even the cleaning people. i think they should have their own uniform code and leave ours alone. i am working to hard to wear them (someday). scrubs are for the healthcare team only is what i say hands off:nono: . as for how they should look well i agree no hats:chuckle

From an Australian R/N perspective Kora - I agree with you. In our hospital uniform we now look like the office worker, and it makes me feel as though I should be sitting in front of a computer with headphones on. Yes, I would like to wear something white. Prefer the pants, with a plain coloured top, and pockets of course.

Some of our shirts have such a busy print on them. I wouldn't like to be a sick patient having to look at them. No caps. I was one who had to wear starched caps, cuffs and wide belt with the white dress uniform and starched apron over the top. Must say it did look good, but was uncomfortable.

While we are here, I would like to be addressed as Sister, not by my first name/christian name. Doctor still gets addressed as Doctor by the patient.

Yikes...heheheh...i cringed when u said ur 5'3 and u cant wear flats...i'm 4'11 and i still do cause i cant wear heels. But yeh i get wut ur sayin...being comfortable is important.

A few days ago, my class had to do professional presentations (eg: we had to wear dress clothes). I wore my "interview" pants, a nice silk button down shirt and (gasp) heels. OMG, after the short walk from the parking lot to our classroom my feet were so uncomfortable, by the end of the day I was walking around our school in stocking bare feet. As soon as I got back to my car, I put on my flip flops! I never want to dress up at my job! Ever!!! And I can't wear flats b/c I'm 5'3'', even my nursing shoes (clogs) have about a 1.5'' platform! I think to look professional at our jobs we should have clean, short or tied back hair, appropriate make-up and act accordingly. I have never gotten any disrespect from other professionals, including doctors b/c I don't act silly, giggly, or dumb (despite being blonde :rotfl: ). And if I sense an attitude the get the "eye" (my raised one eyebrow) that sets them straight!
what about screen printing "nurse" on accross the back of the scrubs top and on teh front corner...lpn, rn, msn-whatever. or better yet....nurse on the butt of scub bottoms!!! yeah, that will get people's attention!

i think that's the best idea i've ever heard for a uniform...i love it

this is coming from someone who started nursing 30 years ago, in dresses with starched collars (agh) caps and aprons.... boy do i enjoy wearing my scrubs :chuckle

Specializes in L&D.
I prefer the comfort of scrubs and think they look fine.

Me too.........

A few days ago, we had a motivational speaker come in to speak to us. Before his presentation and as I was sitting down, he made a comment about my SpongeBob scrubs (spongebob top and khaki pants) and how the outfit looked like pajamas. This was coming from a man who travels around and gives presentations, and does not work the daily mess and grime of nursing. I told him that my patients seemed to really like it, even the adults. I am in and out of my car all day long doing home care, in some of the diritest places, some without air conditioning, pets that climb all over you, insects etc. I was offended by his comments, but said nothing. I figured he was just another member of the sometimes ignorant public who has no idea what a nurse really does.

Frankly, the issue of the white uniform should be a non-issue. I can't count the number of times where I was in my white uniform with my name tag that says RN in bold letters and sometimes with a white cap on my head and someone asks me "where is the nurse?"

To me the old style nursing uniform conjures up subservience. It is simply a way of making others conform. I see the Nightingale look a part of history. I appreciate the uniform as that. I never wanted to wear the white cap and white uniform, I simply wanted to be a nurse. Maybe my opinions differ from some of you and I don't mean to offend. I don't see how there could be a universal uniform that all nurses could wear, our roles and tasks are too varied. At least in the military, there is a uniform for every role!

Specializes in L&D.
I cannot recall the last time i saw an MD in their white coat. It was either the blue OR scrubs or street clothes.

Exactly! When I see physicians in the hospital, they're doing rounds, so they don't have to worry about getting crap on them so of course they're wearing a nice shirt and a tie... if they were getting puked on etc. they'd wear scrubs too. I like scrubs...I'll keep them.

Specializes in L&D.

Yeah, I think the same way. Why does houskeeping need to wear scrubs??? Why does xray need to wear scrubs??? Dietary??? I don't get it.

Specializes in OBGYN, Neonatal.

stick me in some cute scrubs and I'm happy. I do see what you are saying though because it is true, in some offices everyone can wear scrubs from the front desk to the examination table. So yes, it could probably be confusing for the patients.

But, I'm with the scrubs, in fact I dream of wearing them LOL!

Our school finally this year did away with the old flying nun look uniforms. The classes before us worked hard and got the uniforms changed to those from Dove. They are comfier! And it is white pants, navy blue polo shirt and white vest. That sure is comfy!

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