Anyone else miss nail polish?

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Just noticed how bad my nails look. I miss having pretty nails with nice colors. One of the small prices to pay I guess for a successful career.

Yup, i miss putting on nail polish too :anpom:

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I am not a nurse but am the daughter of a nursing student. Please tell me why nail polish isn't allowed?

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Specializes in MED/SURG STROKE UNIT, LTC SUPER., IMU.
I am not a nurse but am the daughter of a nursing student. Please tell me why nail polish isn't allowed?

The reason nail polish or fake nails are not allowd is becauses of bacterial that can hide in/under the nails or the chips in the nail polish. If you are going from room to room all day long (even when you wash your hands), you can have bacterial build up in these areas that are hard to really scrub. I don't know of anyone who walks around with a nail brush and scrubs their nails after each pt interaction.

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Specializes in ED, OR, SAF, Corrections.

I don'

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Specializes in ED, OR, SAF, Corrections.

I don't miss it because I've never had nails. I play the bodhrán (irish drum) and the Irish Tenor banjo and any bit of nail affects my play esp. with the bodhrán. I'm also a writer and I can't stand anything that hinders a rapid feel for the keys. I cut them as soon as I see white and push my cuticles back every day after showering with the towel when drying off - no need for anything else.

Long nails have always skeeved me out anyway - I'm clueless as to the attraction and willingness to throw the money away on the expense of maintaining them. I used to (well still do) never want to eat anything served by someone with nails longer than the tip of the finger - all I can think of is something gross crawling in my food.

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Specializes in ICU, ER.

I still wear nail polish ALL the time. I wear pale colors or clear. I do miss getting several days out of my nail polish though. With all the handwashing, I'm lucky to get 2 days.

I keep clear nail polish in my work bag in case I get a little chip throughout my shift. If that happens, I wash and dry my hands and nails really well and then touch up the chip with the clear polish to prevent bacteria from getting all up in there. Ew.

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Specializes in HIV/AIDS, Dementia, Psych.

I haven't heard of not being able to wear nail polish. My facility really has no restrictions. Some nurses even have fake nails. I would go crazy without nail polish!! I love my dark colors. Black, ruby red, purple. I keep my nails on the shorter side and very neat. My manicure is never chipped and sloppy.

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I am not a nurse but am the daughter of a nursing student. Please tell me why nail polish isn't allowed?

I meant to say I am the mother of a nursing student. How does nail polish make nails retain more bacteria?

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Specializes in Home Health Care.
I meant to say I am the mother of a nursing student. How does nail polish make nails retain more bacteria?

Studies have shown that artificial nails, as well as chipped nail polish, possess a greater amount of gram negative bacteria and pathogens than natural nails. The grooves and rough areas create a perfect space for bacteria to reside.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/SNF-LTC/Supervisory.

I use a polish that is gel, so it doesn't chip, but it's not considered a "fake nail" either. So far, so good. No area's for fungus or bacteria to "sneak" under either. BUT, I do disinfect my hands and under my nails all the time just in case.

I always worried about chippings from nailpolish getting into a patients wound.. never could stand the look of chipping nail polish either.

:anmllvr:

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Specializes in ICU, ER.
I use a polish that is gel, so it doesn't chip, but it's not considered a "fake nail" either. So far, so good. No area's for fungus or bacteria to "sneak" under either. BUT, I do disinfect my hands and under my nails all the time just in case.

I always worried about chippings from nailpolish getting into a patients wound.. never could stand the look of chipping nail polish either.

:anmllvr:

Do you get them done or do them yourself? If you don't mind me asking, what brand do you use and is it a UV-cured polish?

I've wanted to try the Shellac manicures for a while, but live in a smaller city where there are no salons that offer them :crying2:

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I use a polish that is gel, so it doesn't chip, but it's not considered a "fake nail" either. So far, so good. No area's for fungus or bacteria to "sneak" under either. BUT, I do disinfect my hands and under my nails all the time just in case.

I always worried about chippings from nailpolish getting into a patients wound.. never could stand the look of chipping nail polish either.

:anmllvr:

Does it damage your nails when you take it off?

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