Wedding rings?

[NoviceRN10]

According to our nursing school guidelines, we are only allowed to wear plain wedding bands at the hospital. I have a wedding ring with a high set marquis shaped diamond that definately has the potential to poke or scratch a patient. I've been looking at plain wedding bands and I don't like the way they look on my hand (I have kind of mannish hands!). After wearing diamonds the simple band just doesn't look right to me. I'm wondering what other students or nurses are wearing? I have decided just to shop for a more simple style than I already have, but I think I want stones in the band. I noticed when I was doing an orientation at the hospital this week that students a year ahead of me were wearing their regular wedding sets. I guess our school doesn't police our jewelry after all.

Is this one "Too much?" Are stone settings really a concern for harboring germs? I didn't notice a lot of hand washing when I visited the hospital this week, but I sure washed my hands when I was supposed to.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

What on earth does that mean? I'm assuming that properly washing one's hands at the clinical setting would be a good way to kill germs. You are implying that it isn't; I think? I saw enough people NOT washing hands at all, which seems to be a good reason why there are nosocomial infections being spread. I'm not sure you can blame them on stones in wedding rings. Proper hygiene goes a long way, with or without jewelry .

Oh you bet you can blame wedding rings for nosocomial infections. Rings with any stone or engraved design should be scrubbed with a brush with each and every handwashing while at work or the rings should be left at home.

Steam cleaning your rings every couple of months would only serve to keep the diamonds looking nice and sparkly but it wouldn't stop the spread of nonsocomial infections.

And are you saying that washing our hands with the soap provided at the hospital sinks isn't going to kill any germs either?

I never implied anything of the kind.

[prinsessa]

I don't see why anyone HAS to wear their ring at the hospital. I wear it once in a while but most of the time I leave it at home. If someone wants to show off that they are married they can just put their ring on a necklace around their neck while at the hospital. Quite a few people ask why I don't wear a wedding ring. 1. I'm not that into jewelry 2. I don't really care if people know if I am married or not 3. all kinds of germs can hide in it

[baby bluz]

I know this a little off topic, but do you all get concerned about germs around your watch? I bought a cheapo timex that has a velcro band, so I handwash it whenever I know it has gotten soiled at work. It's not at all an attractive watch, but I feel good knowing I can wash it now and then. For those of you with metal watches, do you like them, and are they a little easier to keep clean?

[MTRN13]

I don't wear my rings to clinical because of the germs. I also would hate to loose my diamond somewhere. I also do not want the symbol of my love and marriage in someone else's body cavity.

[PamVal]

I dont know...i have a wedding ring thats average size, not huge. And we are allowed to wear it but i choose not to. Its princess cut and has pointy edges and does one really want to risk a torn glove when you're just short of elbow deep in bodily secretions??

Yech...

I think not