I think cutsey scrub tops look ridiculous on adult units - Page 17

Bear with me. Those who don't go for the "prints and cutesy" scrubs. Suits don't make the lawyer. My 20 year collection of scrubs don't make me better (or worse) nurse. I take pride in my appearance as I would guess most of us do. Wearing dull grey or all green scrubs won't impact my practice. I will still be excellent nurse. I'm just disappointed that my colorful and tasteful prints that I've taken pride in aren't allowed and I'll be wearing solid prints that aren't flattering. Pride? Maybe. I love acknowleging holidays. In Boston I got countless comments about my Irish green (print) of 4 leaf clovers. I admit you're either on 1 side or the other. What's to discuss?

No, but none of the lawyers I know would show up in court in anything other than a suit.

I think someone stuck a flyer in my mailbox saying that exact same thing!! I didn't know what the he/l that meant either, but it's certainly something worth pondering for a while. Don't worry -- I'm not sitting at the nurse's station ignoring multiple alarms, I'm home finding this thread way more entertaining than what's on TMZ right now.

OK I give up. You're right. I'm sure Florence will agree that you should be able to wear whatever you want to work, especially in NICU. If there's anyplace to make a stand for freedom of fashion expression, it's the NICU. The nurse wearing the 2-inch acrylics and strap sandals is "caring for", too. Because what you are wearing has nothing to do with how good a nurse you are.

Our hospital laundry staff wears red and one day my mouth just opened up and said "Those remind me of the orange jumpsuits prisioners wear on the side of the road" The laundry ladies are not my fans...

"OK I give up. You're right. I'm sure Florence will agree that you should be able to wear whatever you want to work, especially in NICU. If there's anyplace to make a stand for freedom of fashion expression, it's the NICU. The nurse wearing the 2-inch acrylics and strap sandals is "caring for", too. Because what you are wearing has nothing to do with how good a nurse you are."

"Just when I thought I was out ... they pull me back in." Michael Corleone, The Godfather

2-inch acrylics and strap sandals would be a stretch, even in Bizarro Land.

One of the last lectures we had in nursing school was about perceptions. It is a sad fact that our instructor needed to address the subject at all, but I suppose some needed to hear that "whale tails" and accentuated cleavage are inappropriate in a health care setting.

Male nurses do not have a great variety of color or prints to choose from, so I guess the point is moot. Families have looked at me, in my plain, solid-colored scrubs, (the only style I own) and not looked beyond my gender when they assumed that I was an MD, regardless of the red card with white initials "RN" that dangled in full view beneath my badge. Of course appearance matters. That is why every student nurse has a uniform, and psych nurses wear business casual, and every other dress code in every other health care setting is established, if not strictly enforced.

Two mornings ago, the young parents of one of "my babies" greeted me brightly as I was leaving after my night shift. They asked when I would be their nurse again. I explained that assignments were "luck of the draw," although we are assigned the same patients as much as possible for continuity of care. Then Mom asked about my shoes, as I wear Skecher Shape-ups. I told her I found them to be the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. She said, with a smile and a laugh, "Well they sure are ugly!" I replied "Yes, ma'am, they are "butt-ugly" but I can stand in them for twelve hours every night and never get sore feet."

I guess my point is that opinions are often formed without basis, and once an explanation is offered, some narrow minds are widened. Regardless, I will forgo the strap sandals, and acrylics are right out! I am as fashionable as any other grandfather of three who works in a NICU. No fashion statements here. Why yes, nursing IS my third career. Had it been my first, I would have different initials, like MSN, or NNP after my name. But I digress. LOL.

LOL, NICUdude. (you came back, nanner nanner nanner)-- ha, I'm kidding. Let's be friends. I do tend to be annoying on my days off, and I lean definately toward the most freedom of choice in nurse-garb anyway. Also, I've been waiting to hear a user review of Sketchers Shape-ups, because they look like something that would cause me to trip and run into walls alot. My inner ear mechanisms are a little iffy.

I'm Currently a senior nursing student and whenever I have clinical and my charge nurse is wearing ridiculous clothes with prints I sigh. Maybe it's because I'm a guy but I wouldn't want to take financial advice from a guy wearing shorts and flip flops and I wouldn't want to take medical advice from someone wearing scooby doo scrubs. Also, a patient calling you rainbow Annie or whatever is basically saying they don't respect you professionally. Doctors wear plain scrubs for a reason, healthcare is serious so dress like an adult.

PS unfortunately hospitals have to institute dress codes due to nurses taking too many liberties with fashion

Friends we are!

The Skechers made me walk like I had a stick you know where at first, but after a full shift, I was fine. I fancy myself fit enough to have disregarded the recommended "no more than two hours at first," and did a whole 12 with no probs. I love them, and am looking toward my second pair, though these show almost no wear after most of a year, since I only wear them for work. Plus, they are less than half the price of the MBT's. I tried on a pair of those, and they felt different, not better or worse. They have a solid shank in the sole which I assume counts for the difference. I want a pair of those too, to switch up now and then, but cannot afford a second mortgage just yet. LOL. Which is also why I am the only nurse I know without an Iphone. Me, my laptop, and my progressive bifocals do just fine.

[QUOTE from=RetiredTooSoon]: This past spring, I spent a week in hospital with necrotizing fasciitis and another 10 days in hospital a few weeks later to repair the residual damage. I personally liked the bright colours and prints some of the nurses were wearing; it brought a bit of cheer to my day and a boost to my mood [QUOTE].


i had surgery last year & distinctly remember one of the nursing assistant's royal blue scrubs. i swear it made me feel better when she came in the room w/them on. i don't consider royal blue a favorite color, i just know that for whatever reason, i had a positive emotional response when i saw that color.

yep, sounds kooky, i know!

(btw, no cutesy scrubs anywhere 'round there.)

I guess the argument is whether appearance matters, if how you present yourself impacts on practice and how you are treated.
I don't see the police giving up their uniforms or the judges abandoning robes. Clothes can be used as a strategic tool.