Are pattern/print scrubs unprofessional outside of pediatrics?

Nurses Uniform/Gear

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  1. Are print/pattern scrubs outside of pediatrics unprofessional

    • 59
      Yes
    • 158
      No

64 members have participated

This topic has bugged me for a while. I only wear solid scrubs (and would even in pediatrics). I don't have a problem with individuals wearing patterns/prints in pediatrics, but elsewhere it vexes me. I find it quite unprofessional. What do you believe?

Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.

My patients and families love my different scrub tops. They are clean, wrinkle free, and fit me well. I don't feel less professional because I choose to put a little personality into my scrubs. I work in peds so there's a bit more leeway with uniforms, I suppose. Last week I wore a Care Bear scrub top (with "Born Grumpy" in the print, no less) and the patient that kept talking about how much she loved it? My 19 year old. The two toddlers in my assignment were not impressed at all.

Conversely, I have coworkers who choose to wear solid colors from head to toe. I do like the look but brighter colors keep me happy. As long as we're all clean and not wrinkled, I think we look great. That being said, anyone that wears prints head to toe needs to be beat with sticks :blackeye:

Specializes in Pedi.
You are telling me you would wear a Snoopy t-shirt or tank top on the street or to a restaurant? If your answer is no, then why is it ok to wear to work as a NURSE? Your job is a place to present yourself professionally. If you work with children I could understand, but other than that, in my opinion, cartoony scrubs are tacky.

Yes, I would wear Snoopy both in public and to work.

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
Yes, I would wear Snoopy both in public and to work.

Three piece suits only! Ever!

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Oh I wear my print tops all the time.I love Snoopy and so do the old people.

1 Votes

I see some prints that I think look nice. Personally, I don't wear them. Kind of old fashioned but my hospital dictates (and I still love) All White. Many, many patients tell me they love the nurses wearing all white. They say they know we are the nurses and, with so many different people coming into their rooms all day long (respiratory, dietary, PT, IV team, residents, med students, PCT?CNAs)- they never know who is who - but when the nurse comes in - they know it. I think the white looks sharp - and with nursing being a very tradition oriented profession, I love carrying on the tradition. OK - to a point - No I don't want the caps to come back :))

Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.
I see some prints that I think look nice. Personally, I don't wear them. Kind of old fashioned but my hospital dictates (and I still love) All White. Many, many patients tell me they love the nurses wearing all white. They say they know we are the nurses and, with so many different people coming into their rooms all day long (respiratory, dietary, PT, IV team, residents, med students, PCT?CNAs)- they never know who is who - but when the nurse comes in - they know it. I think the white looks sharp - and with nursing being a very tradition oriented profession, I love carrying on the tradition. OK - to a point - No I don't want the caps to come back :))

I just had a patient ask me last night, "nurses don't wear uniforms anymore?" It took a second to register, but I figured he was asking about whites. In my head I was thinking, what do you call what I'm wearing right now? But I just answered that we're allowed to wear any scrub colors or patterns.

Let's ask this question. Would you want your hematology-oncologist treating your leukemia to wear bugs bunny patterned lab coat, instead of just white? It would be weird.... I would feel the same way about nurses.

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Let's ask this question. Would you want your hematology-oncologist treating your leukemia to wear bugs bunny patterned lab coat instead of just white? It would be weird.... I would feel the same way about nurses.[/quote']

Maybe it's just me but, yes. If I have cancer I would want ANYTHING to take my mind off the fact that I have cancer.

I get the whole PT/OT/ST wearing one color, nurses wearing another, aides wearing another. It is more uniform & helps separate everyone apart. But I have no problem with nurses or anyone wearing cartoon/patterned scrubs. Nursing can be depressing at times, why not wear scrubs that could brighten it up? :)

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
Let's ask this question. Would you want your hematology-oncologist treating your leukemia to wear bugs bunny patterned lab coat, instead of just white? It would be weird.... I would feel the same way about nurses.

Sure , why not?

Specializes in Pedi.
Let's ask this question. Would you want your hematology-oncologist treating your leukemia to wear bugs bunny patterned lab coat, instead of just white? It would be weird.... I would feel the same way about nurses.

His choice of lab coat doesn't affect his ability to treat me, does it? I have a neuro-oncologist who follows me and I never notice what he's wearing, I'm too busy staring at my MRI that he's going over with me.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
Let's ask this question. Would you want your hematology-oncologist treating your leukemia to wear bugs bunny patterned lab coat, instead of just white? It would be weird.... I would feel the same way about nurses.

Wouldn't bother me in the least. I'd rather have the competent MD in the Bugs Bunny gear than the starched-white-coat-wearing space cadet.

I'm not saying that bugs bunny makes the physician incompetent. However, giving the appearance of focus on science instead of silliness is my preference. I'm simply raising another arena of perspective on this discussion!

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