Score one for standardized scrub colors

[MN-Nurse]

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!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

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.

Is there some reason you cannot identify a colleague's role from a distance just by identifying the colleague? Personally, I know my colleagues and remember their roles.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Is there some reason you cannot identify a colleague's role from a distance just by identifying the colleague? Personally, I know my colleagues and remember their roles.

In the ED, usually. When I take a pt to the ICU, I don't know the nurses from anyone else.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

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.

I agree.

Also, does this mean that MAs are on the same pay scale RNs? I would think making 1/3 the wage of someone else would certainly foster inferiority.

[OCNRN63, RN]

If I'm really sick, I'm not going to want to have to remember that the RN is navy, the aide is tan, the resp therapist is maroon, etc. Just let me look at the name tag and I'll be able to figure things out right away without having to grope for a key, then try to match what the person is wearing to what's on the key.

[SNB1014, RN]

to heck with just laypersons! i am a new rn and new to my facility...i know that nurses wear navy. (ob/nurs folks can wear pink undershirts and their pink tag thats all)....but i didnt know the "colors" of my fellow employees, so when i had a question about a resp med and working with a venti mask in a model ive never seen, i looked for someone in purple, who is an RT at my place. i like it when i can see the green PT people walking down my hall and i can be happy that one patient will be occupied for a bit while i take a snack :-)

[scrubs101]

I personally like the idea of color coded uniforms and here's why. I would appreciate being identified as a RN immediately when I enter a room. A hospital is a place of work and professionalism. Pt's respond to uniforms. Scrubs have become more like pajamas..or workout attire. What patient will take my patient teaching seriously if I am wearing spongebob scrubs? Can you blame them?

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

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.

^Well said!!!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

What patient will take my patient teaching seriously if I am wearing spongebob scrubs?

Pedi pts and their families...just sayin'

As long as you communicate clearly, hygienically sound, and present your title, and your care, then your all good.

I've been taken seriously in cartoon prints, prints, and solids.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

What patient will take my patient teaching seriously if I am wearing spongebob scrubs?

A pedi patient and their family...just sayin'!

It you present yourself, by effectively communicating, are hygienically sound, ID in place, and leading with your nursing practice, even the most anxious pt will know what one is doing and who is a nurse, unless there are soo traumatized by the whole thing, they want to forget the whole thing...

I have been taken seriously with cartoon print, print and solids.

[catlover314]

When I am on another floor, I like being able to tell who is who...whether that is by a big title attached to my name tag or by scrub color...either one works. Our hospital has big tags that hang a bit below our regular name tag that has a very visible title. And yep, the docs have one that says MD and they wear it. When I am in any hospital/clinic as a patient or as a family member I do care very much about the role of the person I am talking to. But again, I don't care HOW I can tell people apart, I just want to be able to sort it out.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

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.

The scenario you are describing never happened, was never an issue, and is purely a product of your imagination.

I suppose you are trying to be facetious or amusing. You failed.

[MN-Nurse, ASN, RN]

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.

I never said anything about the care. I said I liked that MAs were no longer calling themselves nurses, and that the standard uniform colors probably helped that effort along greatly.

I'm sure I'll have to restate that a few more times.