What's your pick for the perfect nurses watch?

Nurses Uniform/Gear

Published

Hi all!

I'm looking for the perfect nurses watch and could use some help. Perfect for me, means analog, with military time, night light, over sized plate, I can find that easy enough, but I'm struggling to find a watch that I can wear all the time, meaning I don't particularly like the "white band" and am looking for a dressier band.

So... any ideas, favorites? Big thanks!

I purchased an Armitron. It is black, rubber, waterproof and lights up. $10 from Burlington Coat Factory.

Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

Fob watch for the win. Ebay has a gazillion of them for dirt cheap.

The watch I have is perfect for me. It's a little larger than most ladies watches, but I like the big face. Casio White Aluminum and Resin Watch - LTP1328-7EV

Do you guys seriously wear wristwatches!??? Wow. We only use fob watches in the UK (lapel watches) for infection control reasons. Wristwatches are germ magnets!!! I'm actually shocked!

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I've been a nurse since 1977, and have NEVER worn a watch. Every room I work in has a clock with a second hand.

Watches are germ-carriers. So are all the textured rings and long fingernails.

I use a lapel watch also, and hook it in my pocket. I can't stand having a watch on, and then with all the washing! Ugh. My skin gets so irritated underneath because it never gets truly dry under there.

I second the infection risk sentiment too! I am surprised hospitals allow this....

So I've heard the sanitary watches are just $10 . Is that true?

Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
mlauren said:

So I've heard the sanitary watches are just $10 . Is that true?

You can get fob watches like that for under $4 on ebay... sometimes as little as $1.

Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

I can't imagine taking a pulse with a watch hanging off my shirt. I wear a cheap wrist watch. I keep it a little higher on my arm. It may hold germs but not everything is perfect. If the watch was attached to my shirt I'm likely to touch it with dirty gloves when I need it. So wrist watch for me...

Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
IrishIzRN said:
I can't imagine taking a pulse with a watch hanging off my shirt. I wear a cheap wrist watch. I keep it a little higher on my arm. It may hold germs but not everything is perfect. If the watch was attached to my shirt I'm likely to touch it with dirty gloves when I need it. So wrist watch for me...

Why would you need to touch it? Hanging on your chest, you just have to "look down" and there it is. No touching required.

Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.
brillohead said:
Why would you need to touch it? Hanging on your chest, you just have to "look down" and there it is. No touching required.

Because my scrubs don't always fit well and I have all sorts of other things hanging so there are times I wouldn't be able to see it. Also, if I have to gown up for a c-section or delivery...watch gone. If it's on my wrist I can pull it out but if it's on my chest it's really just too gone.

Also, the angle of looking down is not one that works well for me. So even when I can see it there tends to be an awkward angle that gives me a headache. I also tend to hold my wrist with the watch in a spot where I can not only view the watch but also view my newborn.

Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.
IrishIzRN said:
Because my scrubs don't always fit well and I have all sorts of other things hanging so there are times I wouldn't be able to see it. Also, if I have to gown up for a c-section or delivery...watch gone. If it's on my wrist I can pull it out but if it's on my chest it's really just too gone.

Also, the angle of looking down is not one that works well for me. So even when I can see it there tends to be an awkward angle that gives me a headache. I also tend to hold my wrist with the watch in a spot where I can not only view the watch but also view my newborn.

When gowning up, I wouldn't think you'd be allowed to pull out a non-sterile watch... kinda defeats the purpose. All the L&D rooms I was in had wall clocks available, and all the warmers had their own timers as well. Maybe not every facility has that, however.

And my chest is large enough that it protrudes significantly... no awkward viewing angle required! LOL

+ Add a Comment