Alternatives to Pajam...I Mean, Scrubs

[NursingAgainstdaOdds]

OK, in one sense I feel lucky that I work in a profession where I can wear such comfortable clothing to work. It's really unrestrictive and fairly easy to launder. My gosh darn shoes are made of some kind of plastic and are super duper comfy.

However, I cannot shake the feeling that I'm going to work in my PJs! This not only affects the way others see me, but (actually more importantly) affects how I see me. I feel like a slouch.

Anyway. Could ya'll please share your alternatives to pajama scrubs with me? Links to pictures are helpful and appreciated!

[deeDawntee, RN]

Do you "have" to wear scrubs? What is the policy at your facility? We don't have a dress code and some nurses will wear polo shirts or even blouses that are more fitted. But to find anything that will be as long lasting will be difficult.

As a side note, I LOVE scrubs....it is one of the very best things about being a nurse! They do so much for my morale! I love all the fun prints (including seasonal) and the comfort. Personally, the way I feel on my job, the ability to move and respond in every situation, is soooo much more important then what the "public" thinks of what I wear. My patients know I bring compassion and expertise to the bedside and I have no problem cleaning up any body fluid they can produce. If I had to worry about my "outfit" to please the freakin public, I would have to tell them to kiss my a#@!!!

:lol2:

[MzMouse]

I adore scrubs. Frankly I need to be comfortable at work and I don't want something difficult to launder or have to be dry-cleaned.

[MIA-RN]

not sure if anyone suggested it but you can wear a scrub skirt or scrub dress...

[leslie :-D]

dang, i just LOVE my scrubs.

they represent me rolling up my sleeves and diving into pt care.

i always ensure they are clean and non-rumpled.

solid sets only.

and when others see items hanging from every available pocket, they know i mean business.

love 'em, love 'em, love 'em.

leslie

[Fiona59]

I have scrub dresses, tailored dresses and skorts. And yes I also own scrubs (usually worn when I don't want to wear support hose).

I also agree that patients react in a more positve, respectful manner when white is worn. Respect is a two way street and I'm tired of being polite and respectful to people who toss dirty kleenex at me, can't be bothered to get off their phones when we're trying to assess them and just want to be waited on. If you are that busy, go home.

[It's Alisa]

You know what, I'm with Leslie on this one, I LOVE my scrubs... they're fitted yet comfy as heck! and everyone ALWAYS knows I'm a nurse...if you wear frumpy giagantic scrubs, of course you are going to look unprofessional, and messy, however, if you wear cute, fitted scrubs, as well as shoes with a small heel (check nursemates shoes) you look and feel GREAT! take a look at the baby phat collection on allheart.com, they have incredible scrubs...you wont be dissapointed.

[Peach-Tulsa]

I absolutely LOVE scrubs. They are the most comfortable uniform that I've ever had to wear. While in nursing school i worked at a appliance factory and i sometimed wore scrubs because they were so comfortable and breathable. I also saw other workers wearing them. I think it's all about being comfortable while doing your job and saving lives. And not about weraing heels and pretty dresses to perform nurse care wich is a busy on your feet sometimes sweating job. I wouldn't won't to wear anything else, LUV 'EM!!!

~Peach

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Thhis reminds me of the phrase "what goes around, comes around". Back in 91 our floor had 11 nurses get called up for the 1st Gulf War. We were really short staffed, really fast, and we voted to go to 12 hour shifts.

We BEGGED to be allowed to wear scrubs because of the long hours and short turnaround time till back at work. We were the first unit in our facility to do so. Prior to that it was white or pastel or pinstripe shirts and white skirts or pants. Sweaters or jackets had to be white or navy.

So after all these years of scrubs now being the norm.....what about going back to the old days of the above white pants, pinstripe etc? Oh and one of the male nurses wore a necktie every day (clip on in case of an unruly patient).

Every now and again I'd pull out a real uniform dress, white stockings and clinic shoes and look just peachy keen.

[leslie :-D]

Prior to that it was white or pastel or pinstripe shirts and white skirts or pants. Sweaters or jackets had to be white or navy.

So after all these years of scrubs now being the norm.....what about going back to the old days of the above white pants, pinstripe etc?

that's what i had to wear to clinicals in nsg school: white skirt or pants; a blue/white pin-striped, oxford shirt and white lab jacket.

i have no idea what students are required to wear today.....anyone?

either way, we did look very professional.

but it wouldn't have been the most practical attire to wear at the bedside.

leslie

[It's Alisa]

"i have no idea what students are required to wear today.....anyone?

either way, we did look very professional.

but it wouldn't have been the most practical attire to wear at the bedside.

leslie"

WHITE! White white white! we had to wear white scrubs..pants, top, shoes, and get this, even our SOCKS! exk! talk about looking washed out. Sure we all look professional..but it doesn't help when we go into an LTC, and the poor patients w/ paranoia start freaking out and throwing stuff at us! lol...poor things.

[Myxel67]

The Cherokee "Studio" line of scrubs look rather professional. When I look at them being worn, I do not get the impression that the nurse is wearing pajamas or sleepwear.

I don't know--these actually look more like PJs than the Landau Scrubs. Especially the cutesy prints. I love Betty Boop and the Paul Frank monkeys but don't think they belong on scrubs--unless you work for a pediatrician.

[MrsMommaRN]

I am glad you made that remark about nurses outfit.

Nurses are the only antity that does not want to change. Professionalism does not mean wearing pijama to work, and it is not only seen from inside self but it should also be shown outside by our fashion. I have seen my fellow nurses to dare to go straight from work to grocery stores and even to church after a shift worked with the same uniforms they have been wearing in hospitals to tx pts. People look at us, and they do not see professionalism, because of the close we wear. Nurses should change outfits. The ideal outfit would be to dress like for example a secretary of an office manager would with low heels at least 1 1/2 inches, or with a clean pair sneakers with nice suits, trousers, beautiful dress or skursts and a lab coat or blouse on top. And, nurses should not be wearing their lab coats outside facility but only inside. Each nurses should have at least 5-7 lab coats to wear each a day. Each facility or hospital should have a color coded uniforms, so to not be confused with other care providers. For example MD's, pharmacy and laboratory can steel wear white but nurses will wear such as pink and blue to L&D, yellow to med-surg, purple to Cancer care unit, green to intenive care unit and OR..... and always have a name tag that states your title. This make over would bring a new face and new attitude in nurses and toward nurses. Each morning, evening or night before we go to work, we would try different beautiful and confortable outfit to go to work with, and I am sure this would changing nurses view in the eyes of public opinion.

Ceresk

Are you joking. The clothing we wear to work is made to be comfortable because of the way we move and the environment we are in. Would you want to get any of the bodily fluids on the above clothing that you describe? How would you propose working a 12 hour shift in heels? Be realistic.