artifical nails off..angry nurse

stbernardclub · Jan 15, 2005

I can understand why nurses do not need to have artificial nails on or even long nails, just another way to harbor bacteria that may or may not all be removed with good handwashing, but...I am surprised a Home Health Agency came down so hard on you. They are usually more laid back. You will get used to not having the nails...trust me..:)

tntrn, ASN, RN · Jan 16, 2005

Lady Sapphire:

Join the club. It took about 6 months for my nails to actually grow out, and I have very tiny nail beds. Since then my cuticles and finger pads are cracked and sometimes bleeding much of the time. That never happened before. I guess I don't see how that is more healthy than acrylics or the gel overcoats.

My own nails have never been strong and are prone to splitting. My hand quilting has suffered. But since we really have no recourse anymore, I decided to make the best of it and have started taking violin lessons. My acrylics were never worn more than 1/4 inch beyond my finger tips, but my natural nails probably would never grow that long without breaking or splitting anyway, so I have mentally justified it by doing something I'd always wanted to do.

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2005

Bug an Infection Control person until you get an answer. Our IC clinical coordinator mentioned some type of topcoat/overcoat that is approved to use & looks nice. Good luck!

Lady Sapphire · Jan 16, 2005

Thanks for replying..so it is true that i cant even have a gel hardner over my nails?Has anybody addressed your cracked and sometimes bleeding finger pads?I agree ,i would think that would be more or as detrimental then the artifical nails.So you made lemonade with the lemons,they threw at us nurses,huh?

I hope i can reach that point,iam still very angry and my nails hurt.It angers me that our work has so much control over us.Guess i need to get a new job,huh??Ha!ha!

Lady Sapphire · Jan 16, 2005

Bug an Infection Control person until you get an answer. Our IC clinical coordinator mentioned some type of topcoat/overcoat that is approved to use & looks nice. Good luck![/quote

Lady Sapphire · Jan 16, 2005

:)

I can understand why nurses do not need to have artificial nails on or even long nails, just another way to harbor bacteria that may or may not all be removed with good handwashing, but...I am surprised a Home Health Agency came down so hard on you. They are usually more laid back. You will get used to not having the nails...trust me..:)

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 16, 2005

I can't believe it was just recently that they put that policy into effect. It's been known for quite awhile what an infection risk those things are.

While i do not agree that the supervisors were right in NOT contacting you about their findings, you should have checked about the gel overlay before you even had it put on. Gel overlays aren't any different than the acrylic when it comes to the infection control factor.

Blackbird · Jan 17, 2005

Hi there,

When done properly, a thin coat of gel can be applied to the nail in order to assist with strengthening it but, ultimately, what strengthens the nail is diet. Nails reflect the state of your health so if they're brittle or weak then a glance at what you put into your body is the next stop. Same with cracks, peeling and bleeding. People tend to get used to artificial nails grow lazy with nail care (as a matter of course because the artificials don't require as much care, not because you're deliberately unclean) and when follow up treatment is not given, the hands suffer accordingly. When artificial nails come off, you've got to be diligent with moisturiser and oil application, wearing gloves when washing up etc.

Gel overlays are very different to an acrylic overlay not only in their chemical content but in the way they are applied, set and maintained. Nail techs who are trained in acrylics cannot automatically jump to gel - it requires a particular type of training. To lump both together is a fallacy.

Having said that, long nails harbour bacteria, not just artificial nails and I would say that any good policy will address both and demand that it's short nails for all in a health care setting. As a qualified nail tech, I'd say sorry, but you shouldn't be wearing them.

sjt9721, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2005

http://www.prostrongncp.com/

Our IC nurse told me about this product. It isn't an overlay but a polish (for lack of a better word).

tntrn, ASN, RN · Jan 17, 2005

Blackbird:

Could you please be more specific about what kind of diet lapse would cause the peeling, splitting nails and the dry, cracked and bleeding fingers and cuticles. It's not something that started right after my acrylics came off: they've always been that way. Would sure like to know how to improve it. I use massive amounts of lotions, cuticle creams, oils, and at best, it feels and looks better for 30 minutes.

allnurses Guide · Jan 17, 2005

I just keep my real nails cut off short. I can't stand the feeling even a little bit long nails - sorta like when I need to shave my legs because I can't stand the feeling of the hair rubbing on the sheets. Sorta like nails on a chalkboard.

We don't have any nurses here that have artificial nails. Or long nails.

Cutting them short would solve the brittle problem, wouldn't it? Just curious.

steph