Absurd Things That Managers Do

llg, PhD, RN · Apr 19, 2006

You haven't given us all the information we need to decide about this, lizz. You probably don't have this information. What is the other side of the story?

Just because you didn't see anybody dressing inappropriately, doesn't mean somebody didn't dress inappropriately.

I've seen some people dressed in scrubs that were WAY too tight and revealed every bulge on their body -- and wrinkle in their underwear. Just the other day, I noticed one member of our staff (with graduate degree) wearing a VERY tight shirt that really emphasized her breasts -- and erect nipples. It seemed very inappropriate to me and I have been wondering if I should say something to that person's supervisor.

It's generally a good idea to use your critical thinking skills here. Get all of the facts before you draw conclusions and be a little skeptical of people who claim to have been the victim of outrageous abuse by their managers. Yes, sometimes managers make mistakes. But it is also true that some employees need to be given wardrobe guidelines. It doesn't sound as if anyone was severely disciplined or fired in this case -- just given a warning to dress more professionally at work. It sounds as if they quit. I suspect there is more to the story than they are telling you.

llg

purplemania, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2006

Worked with a manager who got a boob job and from then on wore tops that showed off her investment. Ugly and inappropriate. But as for your complaint, maybe someone needs to go to the nursing director or HR to get an interpretation of the dress code.

LoriAlabamaRN · Apr 24, 2006

I'm very lenient as far as scrubs go, but I did have to send one gal home... she showed up wearing a button-up scrub top open over a lingerie-type shirt. Seriously. And she was about a size 24, and the button up top was at least 4 sizes to small so she couldn't even begin to button it over the lacy shirt. Had about 5 inches of cleavage showing. Nasty.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Apr 24, 2006

I'm very lenient as far as scrubs go, but I did have to send one gal home... she showed up wearing a button-up scrub top open over a lingerie-type shirt. Seriously. And she was about a size 24, and the button up top was at least 4 sizes to small so she couldn't even begin to button it over the lacy shirt. Had about 5 inches of cleavage showing. Nasty.

I am fortunate that I never saw a nurse wear something like this to work. Yuck! (No matter what size she wore!)

I have seen Nurses/Aides wear non-scrub tops (under a jacket) that were too tight. And scrub pants too tight across the butt. The tight shirt didn't bother me too much, mostly b/c erect nipples weren't showing. (Yuck!) The tight scrub pants are not flattering at all.

If someone gained a significant amount of weight and can not afford new scrubs, they are pretty cheap at thrift stores. I got a few new pair from thrift stores when I was pregnant. I didn't want to spend a lot of $ on something that would only fit for a few months.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 24, 2006

In every facility that I have worked there has been a dress code. For instance, in the hospital where I currently work, they have revised it and it is excruciatingly detailed. However, this is due to the fact that several staff members have pushed the envelope so far that patients complain! The newer scrubs, are also sometimes way over the edge - the ones that have short tops and hip-hugger pants and then your bare midriff hangs out. Pretty raunchy and unprofessional.

This is again a case of probably one person pushing the envelope and now the rules are strictly enforced.

grinnurse, RN · Apr 24, 2006

I am all for a dress code. What really grosses me out, and this not only goes for nurses who do this but anyone in general are the ones who wear the hip hugger pants (that really shouldn't) and then have thong panties on and when they bend over or stretch, you can see clear down to their crack!! AAARRRGHH!! I have been exposed to this on several occasions and have yet to say anything about the view!!

elizabells, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2006

When I started my preceptorship, we had to request to wear scrubs instead of our hideous school uniforms. They said they didn't care as long as our midriffs weren't showing. Who shows their midriff in a hospital??? I mean, obviously SOMEONE did, or they wouldn't have the rule, but daaaaang. And in a NICU!

It was a little extra funny bc the other student is Mormon, and I have, um, some issues about showing my body. I wear Tshirts under my scrubs because the usual V neck is a little too revealing!

BGgirl · Apr 24, 2006

All scrubs are not the same. It seems that if you want to show off your body people will find a way to do it scrubs or not. We have this one nurse who always wears a thong and you can see it every time she bends over.

We have issues with people wearing shirts under their jackets that don't cover their bellies when their arms are just slightly raised and people who look like they just came from the club when they come into work. (usually wearing t-shirts with big v's in the front and back of the shirt that are also too tight for thier bodies)

Dress codes should be in place because a hospital is not the place where you should let it all hang out. I don't even know why you'd want to parade around like that.

Then there are the few of us who do feel a need to even wear shirts under their scrub tops so that when you bend over a patients bed, it doesn't all hang out with a normal scrub top.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2006

Then there are the few of us who do feel a need to even wear shirts under their scrub tops so that when you bend over a patients bed, it doesn't all hang out with a normal scrub top.

I have to do that, too! I wear hospital-provided surgical scrubs, and the rounded neckline and large arm-holes just gape open on me. You can see my bra when I bend over or lift up my arms. So I buy those men's A-shirts (aka "wifebeaters") a size too small so they're snug, and wear those under my scrubs. They provide enough coverage so nothing is on display.

I can understand why some places are having to update their uniform policies lately...

A lot of younger nurses seem to complain about the "shapeless" scrubs out there, and some companies (like Dickies) are now making trendy scrubs that include very short, fitted tops and very low-slung, flared leg bottoms. While it's cute on the model standing there wearing these things, it's not very professional to wear them to work and be bending and reaching in these things.

We're professionals. I feel like saying to those that complain about scrubs - who cares if you can't show off your curves in normal scrubs? We only work so many hours a week - wear those kinds of fitted clothes during your off-hours!

GLORIAmunchkin72 · Apr 24, 2006

what a waste! (over nothing)

Luckily, I don't work at this particular hospital anymore but ... I was at a clinical rotation where the new Med Surg Director warned the staff that you would be written up if you're scrubs were "too tight."
When I did work at this hospital, I don't remember seeing anybody who was dressed inappropriately. And I haven't seen anybody dress inappropriately during this clinical rotation either. I mean ... scrubs are scrubs. There's nothing revealing about them. Even if the pants are too tight, the top usually covers everything so I'm trying to figure out what the big deal is.
Apparently three RN's have already quit over this, and one of the student externs ... who always dresses appropriately as far as I've seen ... was written up also. It seems really crazy to me since they're always short staffed as it is.
Has anybody had managers who do crazy things like this? Why would they do this? It's no problem for the RN's to quit and get a job tomorrow if they want to so ... why would a manager harass them like this?
Maybe they're trying to bring in their own people but, there's plenty of vacancies as it is and, I can't imagine that having to hire more people is going to make their job any easier.
:typing

RN4NICU, LPN, LVN · Apr 24, 2006

I have to do that, too! I wear hospital-provided surgical scrubs, and the rounded neckline and large arm-holes just gape open on me. You can see my bra when I bend over or lift up my arms. So I buy those men's A-shirts (aka "wifebeaters") a size too small so they're snug, and wear those under my scrubs. They provide enough coverage so nothing is on display.
I can understand why some places are having to update their uniform policies lately...
A lot of younger nurses seem to complain about the "shapeless" scrubs out there, and some companies (like Dickies) are now making trendy scrubs that include very short, fitted tops and very low-slung, flared leg bottoms. While it's cute on the model standing there wearing these things, it's not very professional to wear them to work and be bending and reaching in these things.
We're professionals. I feel like saying to those that complain about scrubs - who cares if you can't show off your curves in normal scrubs? We only work so many hours a week - wear those kinds of fitted clothes during your off-hours!

I disagree. As long as you wear a size that fits you, there is nothing wrong with the newer, trendier styles. I happen to like them and wear them myself. No, people don't see my underwear. No, I don't wear them a size too small. I wear them so that they fit comfortably, yet do not hide the fact that I have a figure. The new styles are not the problem, it is the people who wear them inappropriately.

I personally think that the "traditional" scrubs look far more unprofessional. They are boxy and lack shape, which gives a sloppy appearance IMO.