Score one for standardized scrub colors

Nurses Relations

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A year ago, I went to an Urgent Care clinic that my employer had just acquired. The treatment was OK, but I was disappointed to see Medical Assistants calling themselves "Nurses" and being referred to as such by coworkers - a common practice in clinics.

Since then, my employer decreed all job functions would have standard uniform colors. I was fine with the change, but many coworkers sure raised a hue and cry.

I went back to that same Urgent Care today. Since my last visit it had been expanded into a full 24 hour Emergency Department/Urgent Care clinic.

I immediately noticed they had changed to the standard colors as I knew the role of every single person I interacted with. An RT checked me in and an RN took my vitals and information. After a fairly long wait (expected) an RN escorted me to the exam room where a Medical Assistant (who introduced herself as a Medical Assistant) verified my information.

A tech arrived and set up the suction canister that had not been reset properly after the last visitor. A HUC then came in and verified my insurance, employment, and address information.

The MD, in generic blue surgical scrubs, was the only person I ran into without a standard uniform - which was not a problem.

As a patient, I greatly appreciated the changes - especially the ending of the non-nursing personnel calling themselves, "nurses." The standard uniform colors were also appreciated and I think did a lot to stamp out the "role confusion" of MAs/Nurses.

Thanks!

I get where the OP is coming from, but I agree with the sentiment that 99% of the general public couldn't care less if the person checking vitals or giving a shot in a clinic is a RN, LPN or MA.

Right or wrong, people just don't care.

Because, unlike the previous situation where MAs were calling themselves "nurses," this particular MD said, "Hello, I am Dr. Pierce."

But how do you know this "Dr. Pierce" was really a physician. Could have been another MA misrepresenting themself if this so-called "physician" wasn't in color coded attire.

I hate the rigidity of this practice. I think people should simply wear appropriate scrubs or uniform description and THEIR BADGES. I also think a professional use of ID, such as having labcoats or whatever embroidered with names and titles on them is good too. But you still have to wear the name tag in a way such that people can see and know with whom it is that they are dealing.

I'm an individualist though, and I'm sorry. Certain grays, greens, teals, and purples etc, just look like crap on certain people. So when other units, floors, or areas get the first picks, that leaves the other areas limited with color choices. It's ridiculous to me, unless of course the hospital wants to pay for them. lol

If I'm shelling out the bucks, listen, as long as it falls within professional guidelines, let me wear what works for me.

Anyway, professionalism requires the use of a name tag with a title in this field, for heaven's sake. I say nurses should stop worrying about wackadoodle patients and families coming after them, b/c if a person really wants to get your name and information, they will easily find a way to do so. Just wear the damn name tag and let it go.

Places like the OR, however, are the exceptions, b/c of field sterility and other concerns. But outside of certain areas, people should have on them clear identification.

What's next? Forehead tatoos with our names and tiles on them? Sorry. Your uniform color does really help me. :sarcastic:

If the state troopers wear their names and titles conspicuously, and they just do it, why in the world can't nurses?

Maybe people can be forced to color their hair a certain color for the particular area in which they are working. LOL :sarcastic:

Wearing the badge. . .it preserves some stylistic liberty, and it gives the necessary information patients and families really want to know. . .Like who are you and what is your role in the care of my loved one or me as a patient?

If someone asks about those people that can't read, all I can say is, well, what about those that are color blind?

When I had my children, I never knew who the nurses were unless I happened to catch a glimpse of their nametag.

Where I work now, we have color coded scrubs. Trust me, the patients notice. They know exactly who the nurses are and who the aides are. They might not know right when they come in, but they catch on quickly.

I guess it depends a lot on the population you work with. I continue to introduce myself and my role upon entering a patient's room, as do my colleagues, and we are all still constantly called the wrong thing by patients and I still get questions about "the other nurse" who was in to see them who was actually the CNA, respiratory therapist, unit secretary, housekeeping....

I like the idea. It minimizes confusion and posers, and makes choosing what to wear to work very simple. :)

Specializes in General surgery. Cardiac/tele.

I have worked so hard for my degree and sacrificed financially and time entailed with CE. It drives me crazy when I hear a MA or STNA tell people that they are nurses. I appreciate all roles but call it like it is. I like the standardized uniforms for the reason you stated as well as it's easy to get ready. :cat:

Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I did my community health clinical @ a facility where medical assistants, LPNs and RNs alike were collectively referred to as nurses. I asked the acting director of nursing about this once and he said it fosters teamwork and avoids inferiority. I still think licensed nurses should be identified as such.

Specializes in Public Health, L&D, NICU.
I did my community health clinical @ a facility where medical assistants, LPNs and RNs alike were collectively referred to as nurses. I asked the acting director of nursing about this once and he said it fosters teamwork and avoids inferiority. I still think licensed nurses should be identified as such.

Well, lovely for the MAs to get that little boost to their egos, but what about those who really did go to the trouble and effort of getting their nursing degress and licenses.

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
Nametags showing a persons title should be enough to identify their role at the facility. I don't see the need to color code the staff, and if I were a patient I'm not sure if I'd even care.

In my mind, I could care less if patients notice/care. As a staff member, I find it quite helpful to be able to identify a fellow staff member's "role" from a distance. Individuality is great, but save it for outside of the work place.

I did my community health clinical @ a facility where medical assistants, LPNs and RNs alike were collectively referred to as nurses. I asked the acting director of nursing about this once and he said it fosters teamwork and avoids inferiority. I still think licensed nurses should be identified as such.

I dislike this "feeling of inferiority" that seems to be running around. People work darn hard for their titles and they are the ones who deserve to be called as such. You don't see the ARNP's and PA's demanding to be called MD just so they "feel better" about themselves. I am not an RN, I only work in the lab but when someone tries to call me a med. tech I always correct them. I didn't do that schooling I certainly don't deserve to be called an MT.

There is nothing wrong with helping someone feel they could do better. Lifting people too high is more hurtful to them in the long run. Nothing fosters "complacency" (I think I'm looking for a stronger word here??) like being told you don't need to better yourself.

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
A year ago, I went to an Urgent Care clinic that my employer had just acquired. The treatment was OK, but I was disappointed to see Medical Assistants calling themselves "Nurses" and being referred to as such by coworkers - a common practice in clinics.

Since then, my employer decreed all job functions would have standard uniform colors. I was fine with the change, but many coworkers sure raised a hue and cry.

I went back to that same Urgent Care today. Since my last visit it had been expanded into a full 24 hour Emergency Department/Urgent Care clinic.

I immediately noticed they had changed to the standard colors as I knew the role of every single person I interacted with. An RT checked me in and an RN took my vitals and information. After a fairly long wait (expected) an RN escorted me to the exam room where a Medical Assistant (who introduced herself as a Medical Assistant) verified my information.

A tech arrived and set up the suction canister that had not been reset properly after the last visitor. A HUC then came in and verified my insurance, employment, and address information.

The MD, in generic blue surgical scrubs, was the only person I ran into without a standard uniform - which was not a problem.

As a patient, I greatly appreciated the changes - especially the ending of the non-nursing personnel calling themselves, "nurses." The standard uniform colors were also appreciated and I think did a lot to stamp out the "role confusion" of MAs/Nurses.

Thanks!

Seems to me you're saying the care was better because the caregivers were wearing a certain color of scrubs? You've been drinking the tea that management is serving.

Most patients have no idea what color scrubs the nurse is wearing as opposed to the RT, the PT, the OT or the gal from the pharmacy that drops off our meds. They'll ask her for a boost up in bed, as the RT for a snack and the holler at the nurse about what time their medications are coming up from pharmacy. Even if you provide a color chart, most people still don't get it. ID badges work -- if people read them. Introducing yourself as an RN, RT or whatever works -- if the patient listens and has no memory issues.

The color coded scrubs are a fad perpetuated from management on nursing . . . it'll go out of style eventually. I can't wait!

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