artifical nails off..angry nurse

paytonsnana · Feb 7, 2005

Hi Everyone..i found this site looking for information on artifical nails and nurses.So,iam a brand new member.
I do home health and have had artifical nails on for 18yrs .Dec.30th i was told i was to take them off...so i contacted a nail tech and told her my situation and she (as well as one other salon) told me they were putting a gel(like a hard nail polish) over many of the nurses who had to take their nails off....so this is what i did.
On Jan.11th while talking to one of my supervisors about some paperwork,,i was reminded i had to take my nails off,,i said these are my own nails with a gel hardner over my nails..she said she would have to check that out...i tried to also with infection control but they never called me back.
When i returned to work 2 days later,,instead of telling me what they found out,i was written up,and told i could not work that day and was sent home.Iam very angry :angryfire
I took the gel off,and now my nails are sore ,hands look ugly,i cant peel an orange,scratch..nothing.Iam feeling very helpless and down.
Has anyone else experienced this when taking off their nails and how did you handle it? Are we not able to even have a gel temporarily over our thin weakened nails,,till the new stronger nails appears?
Please help as iam writing a rebuttal to this written warning.Thanks
Lady Sapphire

I had artificial nails for a very long time. It took almost a year for my natural nails to grow out sufficiently. I kept them painted with a clear nail hardner, not much help. I applied a nail cream to the base every time I washed my hands.

It is a royal pain in the bottom. You need to have something over your own nails or you risk infection. When you write your rebuttal, very nicely ask for direction with your thin nails. Address the safety issue, ie risk of infection.

Also address in a professional way the fact that your own nails are hurt if not protected. Be professional. Kiss what you have to now, get even later. :uhoh3:

vickster · Feb 7, 2005

Hi Everyone..i found this site looking for information on artifical nails and nurses.So,iam a brand new member.
I do home health and have had artifical nails on for 18yrs .Dec.30th i was told i was to take them off...so i contacted a nail tech and told her my situation and she (as well as one other salon) told me they were putting a gel(like a hard nail polish) over many of the nurses who had to take their nails off....so this is what i did.
On Jan.11th while talking to one of my supervisors about some paperwork,,i was reminded i had to take my nails off,,i said these are my own nails with a gel hardner over my nails..she said she would have to check that out...i tried to also with infection control but they never called me back.
When i returned to work 2 days later,,instead of telling me what they found out,i was written up,and told i could not work that day and was sent home.Iam very angry :angryfire
I took the gel off,and now my nails are sore ,hands look ugly,i cant peel an orange,scratch..nothing.Iam feeling very helpless and down.
Has anyone else experienced this when taking off their nails and how did you handle it? Are we not able to even have a gel temporarily over our thin weakened nails,,till the new stronger nails appears?
Please help as iam writing a rebuttal to this written warning.Thanks
Lady Sapphire

Geez, after 18years it's going to take a long time to get used to natural nails. I could probably argue both sides of this...yours and theirs. But, it sounds like you're like me and hate being told what to do especially for something silly like fingernails! Pick you battles! When my mum was in training in the 50's they weren't allowed ANY white tip to be showing, so I guess we have made progress...even though it took 50 years........

I have recently grown tired of wearing white shoes to work. so I now wear bright pink ROXY sneakers, when my DOC brought it up I said, "don't you know? Pink is the new white." She rolled her eyes and never brought it up again!

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 7, 2005

Our OB requires this (and obviously the OR), but their isn't any requirements for the med-surg floors to do this.

Our OB floor does not "require" it, but I do it anyway.

allnurses Guide · Feb 7, 2005

It amazes me that the CDC addresses artificial nails when instead they should study normal nails with and without nail polish. I think the bacteria counts may surprise them.
Perhaps our places of employment should culture our "artificial nails" and those who have "real" nails and then make policy decisions.
PN:p

The studies I've seen did that, it is the glue on the nails that harbors a significantly higher bacteria count.

SmilingBluEyes · Feb 7, 2005

The studies I've seen did that, it is the glue on the nails that harbors a significantly higher bacteria count.

Not to mention fungi growing between overlays and real nails in microscopic openings/fissures---- that is NOT found in natural nails. And it's not easily removed, if ever, unless the nail itself is.

RetiredMSN · Feb 7, 2005

Lady, It is a well-known, much written-about, fact that artificial nails and painted nails carry a lot of bacteria of all sorts. They have been implicated in many incidents of spreading of infection, especially in hospitals and facilities. This is the reason you were asked to remove them, and painting your remaining nails does not really solve the problem either. This is something nurses need to face up to, and not be part of the problem of spreading of infection, but part of the solution.

There are low cost items in any cosmetic department that can be used to help strengthen your natural nails. Look for labels that state "nail strengthening." The best ones are those that contain the same materials in them that are used on horses hooves, believe it or not. So, you might try looking in farm supply stores too. Some of those creams even state "for humans or horses" on their labels. Follow the directions, and you will see results...not miracles, but improvement non-the-less.

However, I do agree with you about the manner in which you were "written up." Having been in home care myself for many yrs., and having seen this kind of management as well, I know this kind of action was unwarranted. You have every right to object to this disciplinary action, since you were trying to comply with requirements and asking for direction. Someone made a snap decision without looking into the particulars of the situation. And, if it's a case of someone just out to get you, well, there are other jobs.

Best wishes, ReitredMSN:coollook:

BETSRN · Feb 7, 2005

i just took my nails off, well you know what i mean, and have been using "calcium shield" by orly. i got it at sally's beauty supply. i also use vitamin e on my cuticles and massage it in to stimulate nail growth. the polish is clear, which is just about the only thing most places will allow. good luck!
gobabego!
ps - my nails are still short and have the swirls where they were buffed by the nail tech. this is week three and i see new growth! i'm so very excited to be on my way back to strong healthy nails!!!

may i also suggest that you try some vitamins: especially prenatal ones? often, women taking vitamins have terrific nail growth and strength. i know i did. the vitmains certainly won't hurt you and if the side effect is fast growing nails......yea!

riern · Feb 8, 2005

I'd had my gel nails for several years and had to have them removed. I was in home health at the time as well. According to my administrator Medicare was really looking at the nail issue and we would be cited if anyone had them when we had our survey. It took a while for my nails to grow back and look decent. I used alot of lotions and the clear nail strengthing polishes....kept them in my purse and applied a coat every time I got a free minute. They dry quickly ...........actually my nails seemed to absorb them very quickly.

I've been without my nails for about 2 years now and man do I miss them!! I now work in labor and delivery and nursery..............there's no way I'd even think about having them there. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

H.LaSky · Feb 9, 2005

Hi Everyone..i found this site looking for information on artifical nails and nurses.So,iam a brand new member.
I do home health and have had artifical nails on for 18yrs .Dec.30th i was told i was to take them off...so i contacted a nail tech and told her my situation and she (as well as one other salon) told me they were putting a gel(like a hard nail polish) over many of the nurses who had to take their nails off....so this is what i did.
On Jan.11th while talking to one of my supervisors about some paperwork,,i was reminded i had to take my nails off,,i said these are my own nails with a gel hardner over my nails..she said she would have to check that out...i tried to also with infection control but they never called me back.
When i returned to work 2 days later,,instead of telling me what they found out,i was written up,and told i could not work that day and was sent home.Iam very angry :angryfire
I took the gel off,and now my nails are sore ,hands look ugly,i cant peel an orange,scratch..nothing.Iam feeling very helpless and down.
Has anyone else experienced this when taking off their nails and how did you handle it? Are we not able to even have a gel temporarily over our thin weakened nails,,till the new stronger nails appears?
Please help as iam writing a rebuttal to this written warning.Thanks
Lady Sapphire

I removed my artificial nails quite a few years ago and like you I had very sore fingers. Also my nails were very brittle. However, I have a great routine for strong healthy nails:

Most beauty salons sell a product by OPI called Nail Envy. The first nite I apply two coats, then one coat each night for seven days. At the end of seven days I remove the polish and restart the routine. It does take some dedication, but it really works. Opi has another product called Chip Skip, which helps to prevents your nail polish from chipping on your natural nails. Apply chip skip, nail strengthener, nail polish, top coat and your polish will not chip for several days. However, get your nails healthy before using chip skip cause it can make your nails brittle if they are not healthy. Hope this helps you!!

UnchainedFever · Feb 20, 2005

The CDC has done studies on the type and length of nails. Short natural nails are less likely to harbor a fungus or psuedomonas. Acrylic nails are notorious for fungus. Nails that are polished and chipped are doing the patient harm as well. As they can do the same thing. I agree with this nurse. If you want to work in my ER... short natural and unpolished nails are the way to go. QUOTE=lilbill]Nails short and clean.

No alternatives

No excuses

No bacteria

No problem.

You wanna be a nurse?

End of story!

Dont misunderstand, I think long nails can be very attractive, just not on someone about to change a dressing on my surgery wound, ulcer dressing and god forbid pubic shave :)

x x x

renerian, BSN, RN · Feb 20, 2005

My sister had the same trouble you did but she had to take her off due to a fungal infection which took about a year to clear up.

Personally I understand the no nails thing. I cannot do a suppository or disimpact someone with those one.

I am a safety freak so that is my side.

renerian

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Feb 20, 2005

As a licensed nail tech, I can tell you, we are trained in doing both acrylics and gels.

Gels are simply another type of artificial nail and are subject to the same lifting and bacterial problems that acrylics are.

I disagree with the diet. I take vitamins and always have, treid the gelatin. My nails are weak, split, dry cuticles, etc...have been all my life.

I will try that Aquaphor. I looked all over for hoof cream from the last post about this, I can't find it in my area. Maybe I'll have better luck with this.

There is anothe product that helped my nails "recover" after I took my fake ones off, Sally Hansen Natural Nail Growth Activator.

Whoever recommended that natural 10 product from their IC nurse...$76?? That's a hefty price tag, and I may be wrong, but the web sites looks as though it's for licensed nail techs? I am not sure everyone can buy this, but I'm not interested enough to "try" something for $76. Is there one particular peice of those kits that works?