Being an individual

Nurses Men

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Hi, I'm still in nursing school, but wanted to know if there was any way to be an individual in the workplace. I'm talking pure fashion here. Is there anything you can wear, shoes, laces, variations in scrubs, pins on scrubs, sock choices, etc etc etc. Anything someone can do to set themselves apart in a sea of everyone wearing the same gear?

I'm trying to figure out why one standard appearance in staff is desirable.

Perhaps you could ask the military that, or the police -- or a member of the clergy, or an attorney, or a banker, or a member of any number of other professions in which the members voluntarily hew to a narrowly defined acceptable code of professional attire/appearance at work because they know that is what is expected of them and presents the image they wish to project.

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
Perhaps you could ask the military that, or the police -- or a member of the clergy, or an attorney, or a banker, or a member of any number of other professions in which the members voluntarily hew to a narrowly defined acceptable code of professional attire/appearance at work because they know that is what is expected of them and presents the image they wish to project.

IDK, I think if that were truly the case, we'd still be in whites and wearing our caps......though there is that nagging little detail of how to distinguish the male nurses.....maybe something like the military wears, only in white.....:eek:

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Specializes in hospice.
IDK, I think if that were truly the case, we'd still be in whites and wearing our caps......though there is that nagging little detail of how to distinguish the male nurses.....maybe something like the military wears, only in white.....:eek:

Because of course only males join the military....:rolleyes:

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Because of course only males join the military....:rolleyes:

They never said only males join the military, they used the military as an example of how males and females wear similar uniforms, but are slightly different between the sexes.

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
They never said only males join the military, they used the military as an example of how males and females wear similar uniforms, but are slightly different between the sexes.

Thank you, but I do really believe that Red K. was joshing at me. (Geezz, I hope!)

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Thank you, but I do really believe that Red K. was joshing at me. (Geezz, I hope!)

Maybe? :up:

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
Maybe? :up:

Dunno! Maybe it's a case of young nurse cutting old nurse off at the knees? :blink:

Now, you gotta know I don't really think that ^, so don't everybody fly up like a flock of startled pigeons, gettin' all huffy, please. :woot:

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Specializes in hospice.
Dunno! Maybe it's a case of young nurse cutting old nurse off at the knees? :blink:

Now, you gotta know I don't really think that ^, so don't everybody fly up like a flock of startled pigeons, gettin' all huffy, please. :woot:

I was more jealous thinking about ending up in a dress while guys get useful, stylish fatigues. :p

PS I originally used a derivative of a term for female dogs to describe the fatigues, but TOS starred it out. Rude!

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

Oh yeah, well truth be known, I'd rather not have to wear a skirt or dress, either! I prefer pants/fatigues/slacks/chinos (but no "Hammer pants!).

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Perhaps you could ask the military that, or the police -- or a member of the clergy, or an attorney, or a banker, or a member of any number of other professions in which the members voluntarily hew to a narrowly defined acceptable code of professional attire/appearance at work because they know that is what is expected of them and presents the image they wish to project.

That is a really good point.

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Specializes in LTC Rehab Med/Surg.
Perhaps you could ask the military that, or the police -- or a member of the clergy, or an attorney, or a banker, or a member of any number of other professions in which the members voluntarily hew to a narrowly defined acceptable code of professional attire/appearance at work because they know that is what is expected of them and presents the image they wish to project.

I though of this a long time, because on the face of things it makes so much sense. I immediately dismissed the attorney and banker as there is no definite carved in stone color mandate. Suits and ties can be of any cut or color. The judge won't throw an attorney out of the courtroom for wearing a khaki suit instead of a black one. The military mandates very narrow parameters when it comes to uniforms and appearance. Even haircuts. I may be wrong, but I think it's more in line of solidarity. One for all, all for one. Unthinking adherence to rules and chain of command. Following any order given by a superior officer. I consider military uniforms and appearance to be an attempt to erase individuality, to maintain order and discipline. That's definitely something not to be taught to new nurses.

The clergy wear "uniforms" to announce their role to the world, though most priests I know where street clothes. I've never seen a pastor in my town wear a collar. Nuns no longer wear habits

The flaw I see in elkpark's argument is, why are scrubs of our choosing less professional than the ones forced upon us by management? If what we wear is questionable, maybe the dress code already in place could be enforced. If any one or two or 12 nurses dress inappropriately, or look unprofessional, address those nurses separately.

There are different reasons different professions have different uniforms. They communicate different things. They send different messages. I think comparing nurses to soldiers, policemen, clergy, and bankers is comparing apples and oranges.

My multicolored scrubs designate me as a health care professional.

The name tag announces my name and my job. I introduce myself and write my name on the board in the patient's room.

Why would wearing gray, white, black, or blue, be better than what I have?

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There are different reasons different professions have different uniforms. They communicate different things. They send different messages. I think comparing nurses to soldiers, policemen, clergy, and bankers is comparing apples and oranges.

My multicolored scrubs designate me as a health care professional.

The name tag announces my name and my job. I introduce myself and write my name on the board in the patient's room.

Why would wearing gray, white, black, or blue, be better than what I have?

Consistency for the patient. Do patients really know that x color scrub is a nurse, a y color scrub is a tech or z is radiology, probably not, but I am sure that they pick up on it to some extent. If every person wore different scrubs, no consistency.

Same for staff. I know a person in x color scrub is a nurse, y is a tech etc. I can't see a name tag across a room.

To me, when I see someone in public wearing multi color scrubs, I think they work for a pediatrician or at a veterinarian's office.

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