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

Nurses Professionalism

Published

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?

Have you considered wearing long sleeves under your scrubs or even a turtle neck? Works great for me in the winter and I bet they're a lot easier to clean.

This isn't even a full-length lab coat.

Why not check your dress code before buying it, then you will know the answer.

Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

At a hospital that I used to work at, we were REQUIRED to wear long lab coats over our scrubs if we were going off the unit. We would actually get written up if we forgot to wear them!

I have mine embroidered with my name, title and unit. I feel very professional when I wear it, and I am proud when some of my co-workers comment on how well I "clean up" :)

Specializes in Psych/CD/Medical/Emp Hlth/Staff ED.

While it's not uncommon for nurses to wear white lab coats, it's not considered good practice anymore for MD's to wear them which we should take into account:

Why do doctors wear white coats? - By Adrian Chen - Slate Magazine

This hasn't caught on in huge numbers but some major players, including the Mayo clinic have taken to enforcing the ban.

We have full length lab coats that we are to wear when we pick up patient assignments and to clinicals. We just are required to remove them before entering any patient's room prior to giving any type of care.

Specializes in PACU.

The jacket looks fine to me, I see lots of nurse managers and supervisors at my hospital wearing a style very similar to that.

Specializes in N/A.
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 http://www.uniformsandscrubsbarco.com/closeup.asp?cid=98&pid=611&offset=0) 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?

yeah, i think "white lab coats" are more doctor looking, you can probably find another color.

mun ;)

One odd thing that I have noticed over the years, is that the further removed from the bedside people are, the more "clinical" they are in appearance.

Specializes in Geriatric, Pediatrics.

I wear them, and not only can they keep you a little warmer, but they look very professional! I have had patients and other co-workers tell me that. There are so many different styles of them, they work with everything. I think it is perfectly fine....doctors didn't earn the jacket, they earned the M.D., if they weren't ok they wouldnt sell them in the nursing uniform stores!:p I love them!!!

Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

I do wear a white lab coat, but it's short, not long, because the pharmacy and medical students along with the PharmD's and MD's wear the long white coats.

However, I wear it between patients, because in the NICU, we are not allowed to wear sleeves due to infection control and I firmly support the practice.

I have 2 lab coats and a royal blue scrub jacket... I am also a Male Nurse.

The 2 Lab Coats have Lots of Pockets...I am a guy and I don't look at styles much as I bought the Coat based on functionality.

4 outside pockets, and 2 hidden inside pockets...total 6 pockets.

My Scrub Jacket only has 3 pockets. :( Planning to alter the Scrub Jacket and use a sewing machine to add more pockets.

Pockets allow me to be organized...I carry my Flushes in one pocket, Alcohol pads in a smaller pocket, Stethescope in another pockets, etc.

I also have velcro Name patches with the name of the hospital and my name and title. so when i wash my jacket after every shift...i take of the velcro Name patch so it won't fade.

I am former military too, so i Iron my scrubs and also my coats and believe in looking professional.

Just a side note...on professional attire.

A hospital did an experiment and went retro clothing for all nurses on one floor. Nurses wore traditional nurse outfit and discovered that they were treated better and more respected by patients.

I understand women care about style and looking "cute." So wear what is appropriate and meet the standards set by the hospital.

I have no idea now why Navy personnel who are not in a war zone wear blue camys. Yes they are comfortable, but I don't think it is professional attire in an Office environment.

Dress Professional to be treated professionally is what I learned from the Military Academy I went to.

The short answer is NO. The white coat is the uniform of the physician. It has been this way since the oldest accounts you can imagine of physicians. Medical students have traditionally had a white coat ceremony to understand that the white coat is the symbol of their dedication and YEARS of training. It is an honor, a privilege, and a burden that they have chosen. Although we work alongside physicians, this is not our uniform. It is disrespectful to wear a white coat- especially the long white coat. I understand some hospitals allow it or even promote it. It is not only disrespectful, but it is confusing for patients. My best friend is a female doctor and she is constantly referred to as "nurse." She doesn't feel disrespected because she holds nurses in high esteem, but it must be frustrating for her. Having nurses wear white coats exacerbates the problem. If doctors don't say this is how they feel- you can be damn sure they are thinking it. The white coat was the uniform of the physician and now it has been bastardized to all hospital personelle wearing it. I am a nurse, a good nurse, and I am proud of my position. I don't feel it necessary, and frankly, I don't feel comfortable, wearing the doctors uniform. I don't know when everyone started to feel as though they had to look like a doctor to gain respect.

+ Add a Comment