Anyone heard any reason gel polish is worse than regular polish??

Published

Something that has me miffed is that there were supposedly "numerous complaints" about some of us new hires' nails made to our nsg supervisor by senior staff. It became a big to-do... no acrylics, gels, shallacks, and the list went on. Paint is apparently ok. It just can not be a longer lasting gel manicure I guess. I thought the whole thing really pointed to how petty and childish some "senior staff" can be. FWIW, I have heard that acrylic nails can harbor more bacteria, so I wasn't surprised about the issue with those. But, has anyone heard any reason gel polish is worse than regular polish??

Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Something that has me miffed is that there were supposedly "numerous complaints" about some of us new hires' nails made to our nsg supervisor by senior staff. It became a big to-do... no acrylics, gels, shallacks, and the list went on. Paint is apparently ok. It just can not be a longer lasting gel manicure I guess. I thought the whole thing really pointed to how petty and childish some "senior staff" can be. FWIW, I have heard that acrylic nails can harbor more bacteria, so I wasn't surprised about the issue with those. But, has anyone heard any reason gel polish is worse than regular polish??

Yippee! Another thinly veiled "hating on older nurses" thread. We don't get many of them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

It seems to me, since we're supposed to be patient advocates and all that, that we should refrain from wearing gel polish unless it can be proven safe for the patient, not "Prove it that there's a risk and then I won't wear it."

Then again, it's just another aspect of "Me, me, me" thinking. "I won't get a flu shot, and you can't make me. I won't get vaccinations, and you can't make me. I'm wearing perfume, and tough luck if you're allergic. I'm wearing my hair however I want; so what if there's a risk of infection to the patient. I'm wearing the jewelry I want to wear." Those are just the ones I can think of without having to exert myself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yippee! Another thinly veiled "hating on older nurses" thread. We don't get many of them!

Haha, no it's not. Our "senior staff members" are my age or just a bit older. These certain members say over and over how THEY went to nursing school right after high school. Fine. Well. Dandy. Not everyone can/should/wanted to take that route and I think that's where tolerance for others, especially our fellow coworkers is good. Based on my own interactions, I know this isn't true about all "senior staff", but these ones, at this place need to lighten up (in general, not about serious nail polish or shoe color concerns...noooo way!!!) a bit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Contact your company's infection control department. I'm sure they would love to provide you with all of the data and you company's policies in writing.

Thanks for the suggestion, it's a good one except my company allows polish so they'll just provide me with a copy of our nice policy that states it's just fine as long as it's not chipped and nails are short and neat.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ambulatory Care-Family Medicine.
Thanks for the suggestion, it's a good one except my company allows polish so they'll just provide me with a copy of our nice policy that states it's just fine as long as it's not chipped and nails are short and neat.

My company allows polish as well as long as it's not chipped, however they don't allow the gel or any type of artificial nails. Our policy has been like this since I've started with them 3 years ago do its not new. Our infection control even does their own cultures and studies on this and are always willing to explain the rationales which is why I said to contact them. Bottom line is it can harbor bacteria and put your patients at risk. Safety over vanity. And don't say I'm like your so called "senior staff". I'm in my early 20's with under 5 years in nursing. So yes I'm still "young" and I still put my patients safety above my vanity.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
My company allows polish as well as long as it's not chipped, however they don't allow the gel or any type of artificial nails...Our infection control even does their own cultures and studies on this and are always willing to explain the rationales which is why I said to contact them. Bottom line is it can harbor bacteria and put your patients at risk.

I have yet to find a study that finds gel POLISH harbors more bacteria than regular POLISH. It doesn't.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am wondering if the places that really crack down on gel polish or even regular polish are as hard on people wearing rings? In my mind, rings are just as much of an infection risk.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My company allows polish as well as long as it's not chipped, however they don't allow the gel or any type of artificial nails. Our policy has been like this since I've started with them 3 years ago do its not new. Our infection control even does their own cultures and studies on this and are always willing to explain the rationales which is why I said to contact them. Bottom line is it can harbor bacteria and put your patients at risk. Safety over vanity. And don't say I'm like your so called "senior staff". I'm in my early 20's with under 5 years in nursing. So yes I'm still "young" and I still put my patients safety above my vanity.

Without even a bit of EBP? Age has nothing to do with this. Some gals don't wanna wear makeup, nail polish, do their hair or dress nice even on their days off. And they might at well use the excuse of 'I put (insert reason) above my vanity. Because I'm a wonderful, 100% selfless person and nurse and you're not. I am called to look pure to all people both in and out of the hospital.'

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ambulatory Care-Family Medicine.
Without even a bit of EBP? Age has nothing to do with this. Some gals don't wanna wear makeup, nail polish, do their hair or dress nice even on their days off. And they might at well use the excuse of 'I put (insert reason) above my vanity. Because I'm a wonderful, 100% selfless person and nurse and you're not. I am called to look pure to all people both in and out of the hospital.'

If wearing gel nail polish is so important to you that it's worth risking your patients or even your job then that is up to you. And yes I am very low maintenance and do not wear make up. I'd rather wear my jeans and boots over a dress and heels anyday but then again I'm from Texas where jeans and boots are considered "dressing nice" and most people wear their boots to both church and to weddings.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To me the bottom line is that, regardless of evidence or lack of same, this is the employer's policy. Is this really a fight you want to pick?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
To me the bottom line is that, regardless of evidence or lack of same, this is the employer's policy. Is this really a fight you want to pick?

As I mentioned before, I don't even wear gel polish. I have no idea how anyone could tell the difference between gel and regular, which we are allowed to wear anyways. I was and am not picking a fight, I was asking a question because I was curious. Sometimes I'm curious about things that don't pertain to me, just like others are curious about things that don't pertain to them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't like rules created on a whim and without actual reasons. I also must admit that I don't like working with nurses who put on the nun act. That every fiber of their being is nurse purity. Those are the ones who always look so mad.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion