The other day I had an elderly patient approach me. She looked very concerned, so I asked her what was bothering her. She told me she wanted to ask a question, then asked if I was a "Bonified" Nurse or a helper nurse. I could not help it, I cracked up, I assured her I was indeed "Bonified" and took her to a room where she could ask her questions in private.
The next day, as I sat (amazing I was able to find time to sit!) doing the ever-present paperwork we all do, I over heard two sweet patients discussing Nursing uniforms. Both stated they had a very hard time telling the Nurse from all the rest of the staff. While we do have our titles on our name tags, they complained that thier aging eyes could not see the title unless we were practically sitting on thier laps. I began looking around at the uniforms the staff wears. Every single person employed by the company wears scrubs, from housekeeping on up. I suddenly realized how difficult it must be for our elderly, who's vision is not as good as it used to be, to recognise the Nurse from the Kitchen help. They suggested it might be better if the Nurse went back to the all white scrubs and let everyone else wear colors. So, my question is, how many of us would be willing to wear white if it helps out patients recognise us when they need us?
I remember working in the ICU and getting my cap caught on a hanging IV pole and was hung for a few minutes until I ripped my cap off. Quite a site. Felt like a reindeer.
Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..
I remember working in the ICU and getting my cap caught on a hanging IV pole and was hung for a few minutes until I ripped my cap off. Quite a site. Felt like a reindeer.
:rotfl: I can picture that. We had a woman who wore a wig and she got it caught in the pipes where she worked in the kitchen. That wig hung there suspended under the pipes for all to see for a while. :lol2:
We recently adopted a white/ceil blue color scheme here in my hospital. A commitee met for months trying to hash out this issue. Most of the nurses saw the folly in this but in the end it did'nt matter. All staff certainly wear name tags and all staff should be identifying themselves to pt's prior to doing anything to them or when entering a patient's room. I think this movement across the nation is dumbing down nursing. If you have folks who are dressing inappropritely at work then managers and supervisors should be confronting that issue with staff. If patients are complaining that they are not sure who their nurse for the shift is, then again that needs to be confronted and education needs to occur so that staff are proud to introduce themselves to their pt's for the day. Those of us who have been patients know that it is much more important that the person who is providing care to us or family members be above all competent, caring and professional. The color of scrubs( as long as they are clean and cover the appropriate parts) should never enter into the picture. Hospitals should be touting thier competent and professional nursing staff not trying to make everyone a bunch of dressed alike stepford menand women. There should still be room for some individuality in the nursing profession.
OK, the biggest c/o I am hearing is that whites are at risk for getting dirty....and scrubs aren't? Wearing scrubs will automatically make all those situations resolve themselves and no one gets dirty. Right? YES, whites will SHOW the stains more, but again, I can use BLEACH on them, NOT on my pretty (but more camouflaging) black and parrot covered scrub top. Does not matter if stain can be seen. It is still there ( I am an Infection Control Nurse). Would rather bleach it. That is just my thought... and
At my old job everyone had their own color. nurses:green, CNA: blue, unit secretary: purple. It wasn't posted who was who, so I always wondered how Pts actually knew who was who.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
i would like nursing to consider a return to white uniforms and caps. it distinguishes us from ancillary staff, which helps our elderly patients a great deal. (my husband has had multiple hospitalizations; the elderly in the hospital settings frequently express that they would prefer nurses to wear whites and caps.) wearing whites looks crisp and professional and you can *bleach* the uniforms (this is a good thing). an extra set of pants and a top can be kept at work in case of serious stains.
i am aware of the frequent assertion that "whites" make us seem somehow subservient. where is the logic in that? it's all in the nurse's attitude. there's not a doc on the planet that would make that mistake with me!
one exception: nurses in the peds units should be able to wear colorful scrubs. colorful fabrics have been shown to help our "littles" feel more at ease.
i've worn white: been there, done that, don't want to do it again. ever. i've turned down jobs because of an all-white dress code. i'd do it again.
if you want to wear whites, wear them. just don't try to make everyone else (me!) wear them!
Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..
We recently adopted a white/ceil blue color scheme here in my hospital. A commitee met for months trying to hash out this issue. Most of the nurses saw the folly in this but in the end it did'nt matter. All staff certainly wear name tags and all staff should be identifying themselves to pt's prior to doing anything to them or when entering a patient's room. I think this movement across the nation is dumbing down nursing. If you have folks who are dressing inappropritely at work then managers and supervisors should be confronting that issue with staff. If patients are complaining that they are not sure who their nurse for the shift is, then again that needs to be confronted and education needs to occur so that staff are proud to introduce themselves to their pt's for the day. Those of us who have been patients know that it is much more important that the person who is providing care to us or family members be above all competent, caring and professional. The color of scrubs( as long as they are clean and cover the appropriate parts) should never enter into the picture. Hospitals should be touting thier competent and professional nursing staff not trying to make everyone a bunch of dressed alike stepford menand women. There should still be room for some individuality in the nursing profession.
Your post is so professional. I like it a lot. :heartbeat
Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, Neurology, Rehab.
The other day I had an elderly patient approach me. She looked very concerned, so I asked her what was bothering her. She told me she wanted to ask a question, then asked if I was a "Bonified" Nurse or a helper nurse. I could not help it, I cracked up, I assured her I was indeed "Bonified" and took her to a room where she could ask her questions in private.
The next day, as I sat (amazing I was able to find time to sit!) doing the ever-present paperwork we all do, I over heard two sweet patients discussing Nursing uniforms. Both stated they had a very hard time telling the Nurse from all the rest of the staff. While we do have our titles on our name tags, they complained that thier aging eyes could not see the title unless we were practically sitting on thier laps. I began looking around at the uniforms the staff wears. Every single person employed by the company wears scrubs, from housekeeping on up. I suddenly realized how difficult it must be for our elderly, who's vision is not as good as it used to be, to recognise the Nurse from the Kitchen help. They suggested it might be better if the Nurse went back to the all white scrubs and let everyone else wear colors. So, my question is, how many of us would be willing to wear white if it helps out patients recognise us when they need us?
Something must be done. Some nurses come in to work looking as though they just rolled out of bed. Wrinkled clothes, dirty shoes, and they wonder why we don't get respect. I am amazed that management tolerates the way some nurses dress. I would not mind wearing white which I do most of the time anyway. I guess wearing the hats again is out. The school I went to back in the 90's made us wear the hats, and patients loved this, they were able to immediately tell us apart even though we were students, they knew we were training as RN's. The unions should encourage nurses to dress with respect as people in the corporate world always wear their suits. You would never find a professional on wall street coming to work in dirty shoes and wrinkled clothes, how much respect would that person get, none. So our profession has gone thru changes that I really don't like when it comes to dressing, it appears we are going down hill. I hope the Unions can encourage better dress from all. God Bless
I'm not sure Unions are the answer to this problem. Where I work, we were told straight out during the first day of orientation just what the dress code was. No wrinkled, worn, torn, dirty or faded scrubs, shoes must be clean, pants can not drag on the ground, be so baggy as to expose underclothing, (or so tight they strain to keep you covered) and absolutely NO Thongs. If wearing white scrubs, underclothes must be white or skin tone, tops must not show the world just what the good Lord gave you. Your hair style is up to you, however if long it must be kept back away from patients food, drinks, meds, or wounds. And yes they even told us that deodorant is necessary. Make-up is to be kept to a minimal and perfumes should be avoided as you never know which patient may be allergic to them or find them offensive. Sounds like common sense to me, (but then I've been told I'm not normal).
Something must be done. Some nurses come in to work looking as though they just rolled out of bed. Wrinkled clothes, dirty shoes, and they wonder why we don't get respect. I am amazed that management tolerates the way some nurses dress. I would not mind wearing white which I do most of the time anyway. I guess wearing the hats again is out. The school I went to back in the 90's made us wear the hats, and patients loved this, they were able to immediately tell us apart even though we were students, they knew we were training as RN's. The unions should encourage nurses to dress with respect as people in the corporate world always wear their suits. You would never find a professional on wall street coming to work in dirty shoes and wrinkled clothes, how much respect would that person get, none. So our profession has gone thru changes that I really don't like when it comes to dressing, it appears we are going down hill. I hope the Unions can encourage better dress from all. God Bless
Where does this notion come from that nurses aren't respected?
According to the Gallup poll, for the 11th year in a row nurses were voted the most honest and ethical profession.
Something must be done. Some nurses come in to work looking as though they just rolled out of bed. Wrinkled clothes, dirty shoes, and they wonder why we don't get respect. I am amazed that management tolerates the way some nurses dress. I would not mind wearing white which I do most of the time anyway. I guess wearing the hats again is out. The school I went to back in the 90's made us wear the hats, and patients loved this, they were able to immediately tell us apart even though we were students, they knew we were training as RN's. The unions should encourage nurses to dress with respect as people in the corporate world always wear their suits. You would never find a professional on wall street coming to work in dirty shoes and wrinkled clothes, how much respect would that person get, none. So our profession has gone thru changes that I really don't like when it comes to dressing, it appears we are going down hill. I hope the Unions can encourage better dress from all. God Bless
If you only knew what some people in the corporate world looked like - you would realize it's not just nurses!! I'm not saying that ANYONE should be a slob at work, but just know that your so called "professionals" don't all dress in suits. I worked in HR for 9 years and you would be amazed at what people thought was appropriate for "corporate casual days"...I'm talking stretch pants and sweatshirts - some people just don't get it!!
:lol2:
YES, whites will SHOW the stains more, but again, I can use BLEACH on them, NOT on my pretty (but more camouflaging) black and parrot covered scrub top. Does not matter if stain can be seen. It is 
:heartbeat
cdsga
391 Posts
I remember working in the ICU and getting my cap caught on a hanging IV pole and was hung for a few minutes until I ripped my cap off. Quite a site. Felt like a reindeer.