Artificial Fingernails and Direct Care Staff

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Recently my facility hired some new aides to work the floor and they had those artificial fingernails that you have put on at the salon. Well my boss told them that they needed to remove them because of infection issues and potential harm to the residents. They protested saying that it was their right to wear their fingernails long as they kept them at a decent length and that at their previous place of employment they were allowed to wear them. We have a couple of patients who have MS and are scared to death of those nails scratching them as they are unable to move themselves and would have to have the aides bath them etc. This issue to me is totally ridiculous because I know personally that if I was unable to move and a nurse approached me with "CLAWS"! I would certainly be ready to scream Help!!!! What kind of facility would ever let aides wear those stupid fingernails and lord if I ever have the misfortune to be a resident in such a place. Any feedback?

Thanks Pumpkin92356

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

It is a infection control issue and they need to be removed. Show them the policy in the employee hand book. If this is still a issue then they need to be asked to remove them one more time then be let go if they continue to refuse to remove them. No hospital or Nursing home will let employees wear them. I cringe when I see those on patients. I especially cringe when I see them on a waitress. Why anyone would want to wear them? I have no idea since they carry so many germs. They need to accept the policy and abide by it since it was in place when they hired in.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/fs021025.htm

artificial nails,,, no, no :nono:

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It states in our handbook that we cannot have artificial nails nor nail color because it chips off. It's not enforced and I cringe when I see those claws.

I was taught to keep my nails short enough that when I turn my palm towards my face I cannot see the tips. I also keep a file and clippers at work so if I break or snag a nail I can fix it so as not to scratch a pt.

Long nails, fake or real disgust me.

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It is organisational policy where I work that artificial nails are verboten, for good reason. It gives me that shuddery, icky feeling to think about people working with them on. Brrrrrrrrrr!

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

Years ago when I was the staff development coordinator/infection control nurse there were quite a few CNAs and nurses who had long acrylic nails. The handbook clearly stated nails shouldn't extend more than 1/4 inch past the finger tip. I explained all about the studies showing that acrylic nails carried more bacteria and fungus than real nails. They weren't convinced. I got some of that Glo-Germ powder....you know...the kind that only shows up under black light...we all sprinkled it on our hands and then washed. I watched them and they did a more thorough job than they ever would on the floors. I pulled out the black light and showed them my hands...no 'germs' left. Then they held their hands under the light...everyone who had fake nails still had 'germs' on their hands under and around their finger nails. They weren't happy about it but most of them saw the (black) light and got rid of the fake nails.

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

Check out sirI's post #5 and the links there.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f118/fake-nails-nurses-yay-nay-198837.html

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Specializes in Peds,ER,FP,Med/surg/oncol, Hospice.

I agree 100% when I started nursing school I had a pale pink very mild nail polish on and I was told that the nails had to be clear and cut down for health reasons. It is a sanitary thing. Not to be gross but imagine someone with those fingernails wiping a rear end and puncturing the gloves and getting poo stuck in there then go on to another patient. This could cause a l=whole lot of trouble especially if dealing with C-Diff. I just think that it should be a cardinal rule anywhere to not have fake nails.

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My preceptor has fake nails. Have been wanting to mention something to her. I think I will next time.

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My preceptor has fake nails. Have been wanting to mention something to her. I think I will next time.

Oh, my. You would be right, but I would really thing long and hard before doing that.

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Oh, my. You would be right, but I would really thing long and hard before doing that.

Why. Thanks for your concern but policy is policy. You can't be teaching me about rules and policies if you so obviously disregard this particular one. I really don't mind constructive confrontation. I just haven't done so b/c I had other things to focus on.

:)

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..
Why. Thanks for your concern but policy is policy. You can't be teaching me about rules and policies if you so obviously disregard this particular one. I really don't mind constructive confrontation. I just haven't done so b/c I had other things to focus on.

:)

That's a bit abrasive!!I think Sue just meant that your preceptor would not take kindly to being told and may take it out on you!!

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