How many pair of scrubs do you own?

[Blackheartednurse]

I'm soon to start my first RN position and never have been working in the hospital before..I have no idea how many pair of scrubs should I buy?? One for each day?? Help!!

[inkedRN]

I have about 4 or 5 sets. I really need to buy one or two more but my full time hospital job is talking about changing their dress code so until they figure that out I'm not wasting my money.

[oregonchinamom]

I have about 20 sets right now only because I went to a scrub store that was going out of business and got tons of great things for $5 each. For just starting out, I would advise 2 weeks worth.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I have about 10 sets. There's no color code at my job, so I can wear pretty much whatever scrubs I want.

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

If you work 5 days per week I would say 5 sets of scrubs unless you want to own 3 and then wash after that 3rd shift.

If you work 3 shifts per week (12 hours) have at least 4 sets of scrubs-in case you decide to work an extra shift. I actually had enough scrubs for 2 weeks of work-6 sets when I worked 3- 12 hour shifts-I also like variety.

otessa

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

I also bought at least 2-3 sets of scrubs every year and a pair of shoes every year-wrote them off on my taxes-had several sets over the years and retired the worn out/faded ones. Plus I had holiday scrub tops too.

otessa

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

Do not buy any. The OR is full of pajamas with many to spare. It will cost you nothing and they will even clean them for you!

This is only if you work in the OR. Where I have worked scrubs were locked up (they had a scrub cart where you slid your employee badge when getting and giving them back-kind of like a credit card) and the scrubs could only be used by staff that required them. Prevented theft and saved the hospital thousands in cleaning and buying costs.

otessa

[deleern]

I have Mega Scrubs. i can go at least 3 weeks w/o washing ...I wear black bottoms (pants) I 15at least.. (buy my bottms at wallmart) and I have at least 30 tops... I buy those online so I buy a lot each time.. I also like scrub jackets. so have at least 10 of them.... I did not acquire these over night... it was over time. when I first started I bought my 1st 2 or three sets at a thrift store.

[bill4745, RN]

I only have 2. I do 3 12s a week and usually pick up an OT shift. I never do more than 2 in a row which allows me to wash my scrubs. If I get messy, the hospital has plenty of OR scrubs to lend.

[MERRYWIDOW46]

I have about 20-25 sets, was never a problem until I started doing FT agency and several hospitals in my area went to dress code colors. One ER was all burgundy so 4 pants, 4 tops, 2 jackets. Another facilities was navy pants (6), white tops(6), white jackets (2). Another facility all white, all navy, or combo so used pants and tops from previous job, got navy top (4), navy jacket (2). I like to have 2 weeks of scrubs incase I don't get laundry done. I was working 3-4 shifts a week then.

Had other colored scrubs prior to that, and mixed and matched tops to solid pants and jackets, or pattern jacket with solid tops.

To start out I'd say 2 weeks work if you can swing it financially. Uniform City, Best of Scrubs, Tafford are all on line and have discount prices. Alco is another good place for discounts. I pay $9.99 for cargo drawstring pants, $8.99 to $10.99 for tops, and $12.99 to $15.99 for jackets. I try to get colors that go with one or two jackets. Shoes, Danskos for me, can get them for about $72 at Dansko outlet dot com, instead of $100 to $135 retail. Get good soft sole cushioned socks to absorb moisture and be comfy. It is well worth the outlay for a good shoe and sock.

Enough of my ranting. Good Luck.

[MERRYWIDOW46]

Forgot, I also like holiday tops and jackets, as well as socks or cute earrings. Something to make it festive. However, the dress code places don't usually let you deviate.

[taz628, BSN, RN]

I'm a total scrub-a-holic. I have about 16 pair of the Koi Lindsey cargo pants (looooooove them!!!!), plus Cherokee pants, and at least ONE top to go with each pair of pants - plus extras. *blushes* All in all, I figured I could go 6 weeks (24 shifts) without wearing the same outfit once. However, if we went to a color dress code system, I'd have enough for two weeks, minimum. But that's because I don't have my own laundry facility, so I'm a bit lazy with laundry.

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

I think it all depends on:

1 - How many shifts a week do you work? 5 8 hour, or 3 12 hours?

2 - What is you access to laundry facilities? If you have to take them to a laundromat or pay to use facilties, the more the better.

3 - How often do you want to do laundry??