Black - The New White For Nurses?

Nurses Uniform/Gear

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The facility where I work went over to all black scrubs for nurses in March of 2011. We were all shocked! Patients even asked if we were in mourning for the first few months.

I had a procedure at another facility this week and the nurses were all wearing black. Said they started wearing all black scrubs Nov 1st of this year.

Yesterday, I had an eye exam and the opthamalic technicians were wearing all black scrubs and said they had been for about 6 months.

Apparently black is the new white for nurses? I don't get it. Black is depressing, patients don't like the black. Administration says black is professional. Don't get me wrong, I would never want to go back to all white but....black?

Anyone else wearing black?

Specializes in L&D/Maternity nursing.

our hospital issued scrubs are ceil and most of the nursing staff on our unit (LNAs too) wear this. We are however allowed to wear our own sets. So no official uniform for certain departmens where I work (at least for nursing, lab, resp etc). Food service is the only crew that I see wearing a "uniform" (burgandy polo shirt and black pants).

I have a black set of scrubs and I like them. I just try and wear a long sleeved colored shirt underneath or a colored scrub coat.

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

Yeah, I get that negative feeling about all black, though I know it's really not a big deal. I'm able to wear whatever I want and it took me a while to feel comfortable with even black pants with a colored top. The Halloween scrubs with skulls/skeletons/cemeteries etc are much worse though IMO.

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I've noticed a few doctors offices going all black (or black pants with black top that has a stripe of color). I was never really a fan of all black scrubs.

I have an all white dog and the other is very dark brown with black. I can't win either way :) Seems if I'm wearing lighter colors, the dark dog decides to be a clingon and rubs against my legs and if I wear dark colors, the dark dog goes away and the white one is the clingon. And if I'm really lucky, the cats (one that has tiger stripes and the other is a calico) will join in on the 'lets leave fur all over mommy's scrubs' game. ughh!

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I love black scrubs. That or grey are all I wear. I may be venturing onto thin ice here, but I sort of view any real "colored" scrubs as vaguely effeminate. I HATED having to wear maroon scrubs as an aide.

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IDK, reminds me of standard uniform for hair dressers--BLACK.

I don't think there should be a specific color--just not anything crazy, and people must where lab coats with their titles and/or name tags. Why make a big deal out of it? Inmates are forced to wear a certain color scrubs. Why the heck should nurses be forced into this? What looks good on one person looks like crap on another. Plus people should have some choice in what they wear. Only thing good about scrubs is they are comfortable. They really don't make anyone look good. Their babby on skinny people, and they make chubby people look tubbier.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
I've noticed a few doctors offices going all black (or black pants with black top that has a stripe of color). I was never really a fan of all black scrubs.

I have an all white dog and the other is very dark brown with black. I can't win either way :) Seems if I'm wearing lighter colors, the dark dog decides to be a clingon and rubs against my legs and if I wear dark colors, the dark dog goes away and the white one is the clingon. And if I'm really lucky, the cats (one that has tiger stripes and the other is a calico) will join in on the 'lets leave fur all over mommy's scrubs' game. ughh!

I have a cat of every color-it doesn't matter what I wear.Unless I keep a lint roller in every room in the house I look like I just rolled out from UNDER the bed.

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

NEVER seen this before. I think it is depressing. I interviewed at a hospital last week where the colors are navy bottoms and white tops.

Where I used to work, the ER nurses wore royal blue, techs wore maroon. On the maternity ward the nurses wear maroon.

The ICU nurses didn't have a color but we choose to wear navy blue on our own. The OR nurses wear navy as well.

I once had a friend that wore all black at work and the nurses were very displeased with his decision. He changed his color to be more accepted by the unit.

I'd rather wear all white than all black. All black better suites administration.

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I work at a pediatric hospital and RNs wear either white or black bottoms and any color -- print or solid -- top. Most wear brightly printed tops.

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While I think all hospitals should have color coded uniforms for the different professions, black just seems grim and morbid. Different shades of blue is probably the way to go: neutral color, not reminiscent of funerals or blood, and professional looking (just never understood flowery and pooh bear scrubs, I was not meant for pedi).

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Nurses wear navy blue in my hospital. Clinical assistants wear maroon.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
BlueDevil, I do have a totally white cat! I was just thinking how I would look with white cat hair all over my black scrubs when I read your post!

That's my problem: my scrub wardrobe is predominantly black (by choice) and I live with a white cat who is older than God and will probably survive the Apocalypse. Trust me, it looks BAD. I go through hair-remover tape rollers like there is no tomorrow.

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While I think all hospitals should have color coded uniforms for the different professions, black just seems grim and morbid. Different shades of blue is probably the way to go: neutral color, not reminiscent of funerals or blood, and professional looking (just never understood flowery and pooh bear scrubs, I was not meant for pedi).
Why the need for color-coding at all. If you otherwise properly identified...tag/lab coat, really what's the point? It's nonsensical.
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