Let's talk about acrylic nails ...

Nurses Professionalism

Published

The "uniforms are killing us" thread had many discussions about the things other then scrubs that can make a nurse look unprofessional. Here's a place to talk about unprofessional nails ...

First off, I have acrylic nails. I've had them since I was 16 and I'm now 29. For the last six years, I have had them done at the same place by the same woman (whom I adore) at a very upscale facility. I pay $34 each time to have them done and I have a standing appt every two weeks. I have pink and white acrylics, I have never worn polish on them and I could count on one hand the number of times I've had one break or crack in the last six years. I keep them short ... although right before my next appt they can be up to 1/4 inch above my fingertip.

I start working at a hospital in a week ... and I'm torn about my nails. Do I get rid of them? Is it unsanitary? I'm worried about my patients health but I do love my nails. I have ugly, weak, bent nails on my own (family genes) ... but if I have to, I'll give them up. I just don't want to!

Thoughts? :confused:

And I have one more reason to get rid of them ... the cost! We went to a "before nursing school" meeting tonight at the college (families were invited to attend) and my husband finally realized that I would not be able to work when school starts ... resulting in a $2k to $3k per month deficit in our income. We discussed it over dinner (laughing at the irony of trying to save money but eating out) and decided that $70 a month was not a necesary expenditure.

Sigh. Look for me in the hallways ... I'll be the one hiding my hands in my pockets. ;)

Originally posted by JMP

Research Based Rationale for Elimination of Artificial Nails

Outbreaks:

1. Candida Osteomyelitis and Diskitis after Spinal Surgery: An Outbreak That Implicates Artificial Nail Use. Parry MF, Grant B, Yukna M, Adler-Klein D, McLeod GX, Taddonio R, Rosenstein C. Clin Infect Dis 2001 Feb 1;32(3):352-7 (ISSN: 1058-4838); The Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT, and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY, USA.

3 laminectomy patients with post op Candida diskitis found epidemiologically linked with an OR tech who had artificial nails.

2. Long or Artificial Fingernails Implicated in ICU Outbreak of P. aeruginosa. Moolenaar RL, Crutcher JM, San Joaquin VH, Sewell LV, Hutwagner LC, Carson LA, Robison DA, Smithee LM, Jarvis WR. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2000 Feb; 21(2):80-5 (ISSN: 0899-823X) Acute Disease Division, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma City, USA.

46 NICU patients acquired P aeruginosa, 16 of them died - linked epidemiologically with 2 nurses - one with artificial nails, one with long natural nails.

3. Endemic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in a neonatal intensive care unit. Foca M, Jakob K, Whittier S, Della Latta P, Factor S, Rubenstein D, Saiman L. N Engl J Med 2000 Sep 7; 343(10): 695-700 (ISSN: 0028-4793). Department of Pediatrics, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, USA.

6 infants found colonized or infected with P aeruginosa - risk factors identified were health care workers with artificial nails or

1. Impact of a 5-minute scrub on the microbial flora found on artificial, polished, or natural fingernails of operating room personnel. Edel E, Houston S, Kennedy V, LaRocco M. Nursing Research, 47(1), 54-59 (1998).

The results of this study indicate that OR personnel with artificial fingernails more often harbored gram-negative rods both before and after a 5-minute scrub using microbial soap. Additionally, artificial nails had higher bacterial loads, as compared with natural or polished nails.

2. Pathogenic organisms associated with artificial fingernails worn by healthcare workers. Hedderwick S, McNeil S, Lyons M, Kauffman CA. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 21(8), 505-509 (2000).

Artificial fingernails were more likely to harbor pathogens, especially gram-negative bacilli and yeasts, than native nails

Nothing I like better than evidence-based practice. Now take off those false nails, trim your nails, and wash those hands!!!!

Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

My facility is banning artificial nails in the near future as well based on the CDC recommendations. No matter how clean and well groomed one keeps their nails, bacteria still gets underneath the nails. Nurses and PCA's are in an uproar over this. Some downright refuse to believe the CDC reports and I have even shown them the evidence articles I've found. Some nurses have threatened to quit if they have to remove thier nails. Another said what are they gonna do fire me? Well, yes they can if you aren't compliant with the dress code.

I wore acrylics on and off for over 6 years. After reading the article where the babies in a NICU died, I took mine off for good.

:eek: WOW!! what a controversy!!!I have the same nail problem,, crummy, cracked, weak nails. I've worn acylics for five years and can't imagine losing them. but YEP, we recently saw the CDC guidelines too. I don't know when our facility will be enforcing it, but I know several of us are not thrilled. but like someone said, so says the CDC, so goes the rules....:(

When I went through my CNA class, the instructor told us that we had to keep our nails cut to the tip of our fingers, could not wear fake nails, and could not have polish. She gave us an artical were an OB nurse had been taking care of several babies that died. When they looked into it, the reason was from germs found under her fake nails. I under stand about some people not having the greatest nails, but what would you do if you found out that a pt contracted something from your nails? For those that have bad nails, I would think that having the fakes on over the cracked nails would just make pockets for things to grow, you may not even know it.

Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

Acrylic nails should not be worn by anyone who has direct contact with patients according to the new CDC guidlines which came out last October.

+ Add a Comment