Would wearing a sexy nursing outfit to a party disrespect the profession?

Nurses Professionalism

Published

Ok,just want some opinions.

I am Rn,I've been a nurse for 9 years.

But I just want to attend a lingerie party in April.

Do you think it would be sort of disrepecting my profession if I I wore a sexy nurses outfit?

In the back of my mind it might be,but I'm unsure.

Also,could I be reported to the board if someone I know just happens to see me?

Thanks in advance.

I don't. Its my first time.

There's a thin line between "sexy" and "smutty"--If you want to be sexy doing something that you love, (which I am slightly confused--do you mean at work? Or at this party) At work, sexy is not an option--just doesn't lend itself to the profession and the stuff you have to do everyday. If you are talking about the party, then by all means wear something that makes you feel sexy--but I am not sure that a "naughty nurse" necessarily makes anyone look sexy--and it will not in itself morph into changing the percerptions of nurses in your area (ie: the "fat lazy slob" moniker that you seem to feel is the general thought). If this is a general public party, then you should be careful, as facebook and other media gets ahold of the pics could mean hot water for you in your job. Especially those that identify you by name, and you may have your place of work on your social media site. If you feel you want to be sexy to the degree of costume wearing to get your point across, this could be an issue that only you can take steps to make you feel good about you--costume or no costume. But to your original question--I am not sure I would call it disrespectful, per se, but a huge sign of perhaps you not being as self confident as you could.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Who the heck sees a girl in a sexy nurse outfit at a party and instantly loses respect for the whole nursing field? That's beyond ridiculous.

^Exactly...inquiring minds want to know!!! LOL...

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

I don't think all scrubs make nurses look like shapeless slobs. Before the scrub era nurses wore uniforms that conformed to their shape. That alone does in no way scream "prostitute" to the world. Now the pendulum is swinging back. I never liked the "pajama" look anyway. When I read here on occasion that "white scrubs are traditional", no, they're not. Whites are more than color, and I don't think anyone should risk looking like the Michelin tire guy. I think your boss was unreasonable not to let you wear Stretch Sketcher scrubs, Smartnurse82.

Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

The OP states she has been spoken to about her scrubs at work before. Obviously there is more to this. People should go to work to do a job, not to appear as anything other than professional. Its not a fashion show. The only nurses I have seen that were spoken to by a supervisor for their clothing were WAY out of line. Just because its sold in a scrub store, doesn't make it ok to wear at work.

To those that say it is close minded to be against it... That is just a way to create an invalid argument and sound PC. I'm certainly not closed minded. But I have respect for myself and I choose to carry myself with class. If a nurse chooses to go in public (especially where pictures will be taken) and be half dressed, they deserve everything that could be a consequence in the future. I choose to be an advocate for nursing and our reputation. But the few who do things like this to bring us down make the fight even harder to keep our profession a respected one. There must be a line drawn somewhere and I do agree that there is no clear answer. I do think that if you want to dress like that in your own bedroom that it is different than doing it in public. The public tends to be ignorant about nurses, so don't think that they are thinking like you are when you dress that way.

I am confused about said party............ a lingerie party at a hotel, general public invited, and you are supposed to wear your lingerie to attend? What kind of party is this, and what are you going to be doing there? This is a serious inquiry, I have never heard of such a thing. Could get raunchy in a hurry!

I am curious as to what makes all the staunch defenders of our profession so sure that the people in the event will assume she is a nurse in real life. When I see a girl in a sexy pirate costume I don't assume she has a boat docked in the parking lot. Nor do I offer catnip to the girl in the skimpy kitty suit. IMO the cattiness and judgemental mindset of some nurses is what demeans our professionalism, not what a nurse wears to a lingerie party in her free time.

It's only bad if you're a man, and haven't shaved your legs.

The OP states she has been spoken to about her scrubs at work before. Obviously there is more to this. People should go to work to do a job, not to appear as anything other than professional. Its not a fashion show. The only nurses I have seen that were spoken to by a supervisor for their clothing were WAY out of line. Just because its sold in a scrub store, doesn't make it ok to wear at work.

To those that say it is close minded to be against it... That is just a way to create an invalid argument and sound PC. I'm certainly not closed minded. But I have respect for myself and I choose to carry myself with class. If a nurse chooses to go in public (especially where pictures will be taken) and be half dressed, they deserve everything that could be a consequence in the future. I choose to be an advocate for nursing and our reputation. But the few who do things like this to bring us down make the fight even harder to keep our profession a respected one. There must be a line drawn somewhere and I do agree that there is no clear answer. I do think that if you want to dress like that in your own bedroom that it is different than doing it in public. The public tends to be ignorant about nurses, so don't think that they are thinking like you are when you dress that way.

I apologize in advance for some of the things I'm about to say. This post rubbed me the wrong way.

Not a fashion show? Who are you to say that it's wrong to care about your appearance as a nurse?!? By putting care into her look, maybe it gives her more confidence, enabling her to be a better nurse. Just because it might not fit your definition of professional, doesn't mean that it's not.

The only ones that YOU....I repeat YOU have seen get talked to are "WAY out of line". So you just assume that's the case for everyone? Maybe she has a supervisor that has a huge stick up her butt?!?

You say public. Did she say this lingerie party was open to the public? The fact that she took the time to ask the question on this board shows me that she actually cares, so i'm guessing its safe to assume shes probably not going to stop by Safeway in her sexy nurse outfit to buy wine and liquor. As far as pictures being taken...that's EVERYWHERE!

"The public tends to be ignorant about nurses." The public is ignorant about a lot. The same public that assumes all massage parlors give happy endings. Or if you have tattoos, piercings and unique hair you're an idiot/criminal/rude...etc. if you're going to devote your life to trying to gain the respect of "the public" then you sure got your work cut out for you. The public insists on being miserable. On finding the bad in everything. On making ignorant assumptions. A woman dresses sexy so she's a ****. A woman goes to a costume party as a sexy nurse so all nurses walk around hospitals in short skirts, heels offering free tugs? Screw worrying about people like that.

Be a good person - be a good nurse - have fun (even if that means showing a little skin)

Offensive? No on your time do and wear what you want to and do not worry about people on a message board. I am much more concerned about our profession getting on the same page about education and entry points to practice. I am much more interested in the DNP argument or NPs having independent practice. Almost every profession has disrespectful costumes.

Completely agree. I'd wear my costumes on Halloween if I were comfortable with my body.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I apologize in advance for some of the things I'm about to say. This post rubbed me the wrong way.

Not a fashion show? Who are you to say that it's wrong to care about your appearance as a nurse?!? By putting care into her look, maybe it gives her more confidence, enabling her to be a better nurse. Just because it might not fit your definition of professional, doesn't mean that it's not.

The only ones that YOU....I repeat YOU have seen get talked to are "WAY out of line". So you just assume that's the case for everyone? Maybe she has a supervisor that has a huge stick up her butt?!?

You say public. Did she say this lingerie party was open to the public? The fact that she took the time to ask the question on this board shows me that she actually cares, so i'm guessing its safe to assume shes probably not going to stop by Safeway in her sexy nurse outfit to buy wine and liquor. As far as pictures being taken...that's EVERYWHERE!

"The public tends to be ignorant about nurses." The public is ignorant about a lot. The same public that assumes all massage parlors give happy endings. Or if you have tattoos, piercings and unique hair you're an idiot/criminal/rude...etc. if you're going to devote your life to trying to gain the respect of "the public" then you sure got your work cut out for you. The public insists on being miserable. On finding the bad in everything. On making ignorant assumptions. A woman dresses sexy so she's a ****. A woman goes to a costume party as a sexy nurse so all nurses walk around hospitals in short skirts, heels offering free tugs? Screw worrying about people like that.

Be a good person - be a good nurse - have fun (even if that means showing a little skin)

^Whoop Whoop!!! WELL said!!! :)

Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

I have never in my life owned a sexy nurse outfit. How DARE you sully our respected profession thus? After the struggle to be seen as more than a glorified pillow fluffer and waitress, THIS is what you choose to do?!?!?!

I'll pause now for the laughter to die down...

Sheesh Almighty, it's a party. Have fun, wear what you want, and don't drown in all the sanctimony that seems to have flooded the thread.

If we're talking disrespect to a particular sect...well, there's a coven of vampires with a bounty on my head out there somewhere, based on my favorite costume... here's hoping Lestat is the ringleader,LOL.

+ Add a Comment