What would you change about your scrubs?

Nurses Uniform/Gear

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Hey all~

I am doing research for a line of scrubs and would like to find out what nurses like/ dislike about their uniforms.

I am a fashion design student that recently spent some time in the hospital for cancer treatment this summer. I was so inspired by the compassion and care shown by the nurses and would like to thank you guys by providing uniform options that are comfy, stylish and help the wearer feel more 'individualized'.

What elements (pockets, elastic waistbands, tagless uniforms, etc) do you look for in a pair of scrubs?

What would you change about scrubs if you had the chance? (here's your chance)

What are the most popular colors worn by nurses? What colors/ prints do you dislike?

What instruments/ items do you carry on your person when you work? (pen, paper, hidden snack wink.gif )

What are the dress code restrictions at your place of work?

Thank you for any input. More importantly, thank you for always giving to those around you- giving your time, comforting words, upbeat vibes and patience. It means more than you know.

As a male nurse: waist band with belt loops, zipper fly, lots of leg pockets sewn on at a slight angle so things do not slide out when you sit, also these leg pockets should be a little more toward the front of the leg than right on the side, so when you are in a "squatting" position while caring for a patient, the items in the pockets are not caught between the bends in your legs.

Thank you for asking!

Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

I'll echo the responses that say to make them longer! (or at least commonly available in a tall size... which should be at MINIMUM 34" - 36" is even better. )

I would make scrubs more fitted (as I have a figure to show ), and made out of stretch materials for comfort.

Specializes in cardiovascular surgical stepdown.

have scrubs in longer lengths... 34-36 inseam.

As a male nurse: waist band with belt loops, zipper fly, lots of leg pockets sewn on at a slight angle so things do not slide out when you sit, also these leg pockets should be a little more toward the front of the leg than right on the side, so when you are in a "squatting" position while caring for a patient, the items in the pockets are not caught between the bends in your legs.

Thank you for asking!

Plus waist and inseam measurements in odd as well as even inches, an option for lightly velcro'd flaps over back and side pockets, 4-pocket top, 8-pocket cargo pants, and sturdy fabric--if I had to wear scrubs.

I've made my daily uniform from a navy polo, dark khaki pleated Dockers, black NB walkers, a double-thick civilianized gun belt (to bear the weight of my pack) and an over-full Nurse Pro Pack (large).

I've yet to find a scrub combination that approaches the durability, flexibility, and organization and storage capabilities of my non-scrubs (but when I find scrubs cheaper and as functional, I'll switch).

This is an easy question, Lined pockets to protect from ink marks is a must, scrubs that are not see-through, even wet! and a clip or loop for name tag on the top and some kind of clip for stethescope.

Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

Pants: wide legs; drawstring; LONG, but with the waist not so high that I have to cinch the pants just under my bosoms in order for the crotch not to be halfway to my knees. (because, trust me, that looks AND feels silly); cargo pockets on both sides and back patch pockets on both sides - I put things in my back pockets more often than anything. (I suppose I don't sit down much, eh?); some stretch in the material

Tops: A slimmer silhouette ... where a top that's long enough doesn't have a foot of extra room on either side of me; also some stretch in the material; big pockets in the front, but not chest pockets, because everything falls out of those when I bend over; definitely second anyone who said a tab for a badge holder

Also, if you're making jackets, make 'em with LONG arms and not those godforsaken foot-long elastic cuffs. Those aren't comfy when they're riding halfway up to my elbows.

(I just read back over this and realized that it sounds like I have ridiculously long arms and legs. I promise I'm not that odd-looking.)

Pockets, pockets, and more pockets! At least 3 on the top (although I don't put anything in the breast pocket, it just makes the top look nicer) and 4 in the pants, including side cargo pockets. Elastic waist, no cuffs on pants.

I like dark colors - navy blue, burgundy or Caribbean blue. I hate prints!

DeLana

Hi!

I like to wear white, and use bleach. I do believe we, as nursing professionals, get judged on our appearance. I hate seeing healthcare workers in scrubs that look like they slept in them, unless of course they did! I work charge or with students, so I would like a line of scrubs that are abit more tailored, more formal looking. (I know, oxymoron..). With longer tops, perhaps a sewed front leg crease. Perhaps with a matching thigh length lab jacket. And in view of the germ laden environment that we work in, scrubs that are absolutely CHLORINE bleachable and no iron! Is this too much to ask? I like two deep front pockets, and have never had a chest pocket that didn't dump it's contents at the WORST possible moment.

Specializes in orthopaedics.

From most of the replies you can tell we carry a lot in our pockets. When we crouch down sometimes it falls out. I would love to have pockets that keep stuff in. A top thats made for us gals with bellies. Not pregnancy bellies, I mean bellies from past pregnancy or just needing to lose some weight. Nice bottoms for the same also. If you get a larger drawstring scrub bottom it just looks ridiculous. So what I am asking for is a plus size scrub line. Thanks so much for this post. I hope you will be back with your final design and offer your product;)

(I just read back over this and realized that it sounds like I have ridiculously long arms and legs. I promise I'm not that odd-looking.)

You cracked me up.

We're built VERY differently.

:)

Specializes in Med Surg - yes, it's a specialty.

Maybe offer the option of elastic waist with drawstring front (little lower on the waist) or just elastic waist (sitting higher on the more traditional woman) - both with mega pockets and same trendy trims so a person can pick what works for them and still get something fashionable.

More stuff for guys. I hear them grouch a lot about not getting many choices without looking - um, er, well, since it was said by a gay man I will just say it "too gay." Not PC, but came from the "horse's mouth." I hear them complain about the lack of cool scrubs - just tan, navy, black...

Also, pockets everywhere.

As somebody else mentioned - vneck that won't pull down from the ID tag being clipped onto it. I don't wear a lanyard - always falling into stuff, and on med-surg that's saying something extra gross.

Tops that are a little less square. I'm a plus sized girl - but I don't necessarily want to look like a box. Also, make the cute stuff in a big size range so we can all be cute. Plus sized doesn't mean I want to dress like an old loving granny nurse (in cutesy gingham patch with teddy bear tops). Fat doesn't mean old or cutesy.

Somebody mentioned ink resistant - AMEN. I clean ink off scrubs every week. Pocket organizers aren't practical - can't get in and out of them fast enough.

I carry a lot of stuff in my pockets. I have said "I have a supply closet in my pants." With long halls and never knowing what I need I just load up before going to see patients. I get made fun of by new nurses for carrying so much stuff but then they'll say "Hey, you got a flush." and BAM I give 'em one. Or tubing. Or IV caps. Or IV drop hooks.

I think stain and wrinkle resistent is a must. I don't iron. period. Hate it. Lousy at it. No time for it. Stains - just a fact of life at my job. Mystery stains are worse. If I know it's poop or vomit I can accept it and go on but if I don't know - it's grosser!

Matching jackets. My floor is alternately a sauna or a new polar cap.

Little cell phone pocket? That would be handy.

I like the trendy solid colors with neat trims because they still look professional, not like nursery wall paper, and modern.

Good luck, it's a great idea. Hey, while you're at it, make me look 20 lbs thinner and 10 years younger!!! and smarter too!! teeth whiter?? haha.

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