Are nurses allowed to have their nails painted?

Nurses Professionalism

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I keep hearing nurses aren't allowed to wear acrylics, which I understand. Are nurses allowed to wear nail polish though? I love having my nails painted, but I don't mind giving this obsession up to be a nurse! :)

Specializes in Trauma-Surgical, Case Management, Clinic.

For those of you who can wear polish to work or in your specialty, I would suggest the gel/shellac polish. It last for about 3 weeks, doesn't chip, and doesn't wear off due to lots of hand washing and using sanitizer. You can get it done at most nail salons.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
For those of you who can wear polish to work or in your specialty, I would suggest the gel/shellac polish. It last for about 3 weeks, doesn't chip, and doesn't wear off due to lots of hand washing and using sanitizer. You can get it done at most nail salons.

Best to check policies- this is specifically not allowed in ours.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.

I've been looking into 'shellacing'. It's a type of polish, I thought.

Either way - I'm at an LTC. I just asked the DON about it 2 days ago and it's allowed.

Regular nail polish will not stand up to the handwashing.

In the hospital where I used to work, though? The shellacing probably wouldn't be allowed anywhere near the nursing sector.

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We aren't allowed, so I paint my toenails instead.

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Specializes in Med/Surg,Cardiac.

We are allowed to paint our nails. No chips in the polish (impossible to maintain). No fake nails.

I think long, claw-like nails in neon shades look unprofessional and dangerous. I've seen several aides with nails like that and I think it's disgusting because of where those nails go. Ugh.

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