Are nurses allowed to wear "doctor-like" lab coats?

[lalalalexi]

So I get cold at work a lot but have always found the lab coats available in nursing uniform stores to be a little unstylish and frumpy for me. While looking online, I've come across a few lab coats (like this one for instance Barco UniformsAndScrubs.com) that I actually like. Some of my nurse friends however, think this looks too close to what docs wear, and patients might get confused, or my peers might think I'm trying too hard to look not like a nurse. I think that's kind of silly. Our dress code policy states that white lab coats are allowed to be worn over scrubs. Would you think this style of lab coat would be acceptable if worn by a nurse?

[caliotter3]

That lab coat is perfect and I like the stylish look. I see no problem at all with it. One of my peers in nursing school used to wear a full length lab coat (like the doctors wear) to clinicals, I don't know why. Now she looked out of place.

[mauxtav8r]

Looks great to me. I have several styles, was required to wear one of them for clinicals. Got used to the pockets. If you feel comfortable and confident it will look fine.

I have heard of facilities with rules about who can wear what (student docs in short coats, "real" docs in longer ones) but I have never encountered anything like that where I've worked.

[loriangel14, RN]

My sister always wears a lab coat over a white tank and white scrub pants (neon crocs)

[nurse2033, MSN, RN]

As long as it is in your uniform policy, go for it!

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

I've seen many nurses in the local hospital I shadow in wear white lab coat's most of the time they are NP's, or some other type of APN, or a nurse who work's in the lab. I, personally think it's ok if your work places dresscode allows it. It might be a good Idea to clearly wear a name tag with your title on it. To prevent any confusion for patitients and doctors (you know how some of them can get about nurses who "supposedly want to be doctors" ). Or, if it is allowed you could get your name and title sewn in. Hope this helps! :)

Example: Name Tag: Jane, RN ( in big,bright, and legible letters)

[Streamline2010]

In the business world, it's said that if you want to move up, dress like the next rung up. So, push the limits to dress like a "professional" instead of casual. I think nurses looked more professional in uniforms and caps, before the uncomplimentary scrubs became so widespread. Having worn a hard hat on my head for hours at a time, and a horseback riding helmet, and a drag race helmet, I think a lil' lightweight cloth cap on my head all day and night would not bother me one bit.

[GreyGull]

Lab coats have fallen out of favor for those directly involved in patient care in some hospitals due to infection control policies being instituted. Some hospitals have coats supplied where they are laundered after each day's use. The medical professionals are issued 5 coats with their name/title embordered on them.

If you are in direct patient care and can wear a fresh jacket each day, there shouldn't be a problem. Also be mindful of when you place your hands in the pockets and what you carry in them. If you are part of a teaching hospital I would also avoid wearing the same style as the med students. I think the jacket (short) our med students wear is meant to standout since I can't imagine anyone picking it out for fashion.

I actually remember a time when a white lab jacket completed the nurses' white uniform.

[Penguin67]

Med students and residents are supposed to wear the short jackets. Fellows and attendings wear the longer white lab coats. But that is in the medical profession. As for nursing, unless your institution has a specifi length requirement, you can wear whatever length you wish. Pick something you are comfortable in.

[Sonjailana]

Yeah I wear a cute lab jacket from koi. At first, I got some teasing and what not, but now people have copied me and we have lots of nurses in lab coats! Start a trend and stay warm!

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

My facility has no policy against it, but I don't wear a full-length lab coat out of respect for the physicians.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

I like that coat. I wouldn't wear it because it would make my butt look even bigger!

The thing is, some facilities do have specifications for lab coats. We can't wear them unless they have an insignia of our institution.