Artificial Fingernails

USA987, MSN, RN, NP · May 27, 2003

I think there was recently a thread on this. You might want to try the search button...

karenG · May 27, 2003

yep- we did this one to death a few weeks ago- think the general feeling was that artificial nails and nurses dont go!

Karen

SC RN, RN · May 27, 2003

The OP is not asking what OUR opinions are ... she's asking about hospital policy.

No, our hospital does not have an official policy in writing. However, after participating in the threads here and doing my own research, I chose to have mine taken off before taking a job at the hospital.

I'm very interested to see if there are hospitals that do have official policies ... not just floor by floor but an edict that covers the whole facility.

SmilingBluEyes · May 27, 2003

Ours does NOT have a policy; believe it or not. I am shocked. It's been shown over and over that art. nails are linked with nosocomial infections in numerous cases. I won't be surprised when the time comes a policy is written.

Gator,SN · May 27, 2003

Yep! this one has been done in several forums and posters do address hospital policy. Check it out, it had many replies.

Gator

Scavenger'sWife, RN · May 28, 2003

Yes. our hospital has a facility-wide rule forbidding artificial nails if you are in a job where you give direct patient care. This means it covers: nurses/aides, housekeeping, unit clerks, pharmacists, PT/OT, lab/EKG techs.....etc. It allows persons in office-type positions to have "nails". I will say, however, many choose to not obey. It seems to depend on who your manager is, whether you get "busted".

nursenatalie, ADN, RN · May 29, 2003

Our hospital has a policy that begins June 1st...no artificial nails and natural nails must not extend beyond fingertips

howie122832 · May 29, 2003

Originally posted by nursenatalie
Our hospital has a policy that begins June 1st...no artificial nails and natural nails must not extend beyond fingertips

Do you work at ORMC by chance???

igloorn93 · May 29, 2003

Yup, our hospital has a policy of no artificial nails for anyone who comes into contact with patients or patient related materials. i.e. Patient charts etc. Basically no-one is allowed to wear the fake nails. I think it's a great policy, but then i'm from the old school that didn't even allow nurses to wear nail polish as the polish could trap germs. Our hospital btw, still allows manicures etc. just no fake nails.

NurseGreenEyes RN · May 29, 2003

No one has told me anything about taking my nails off!

But you know what!!! It's such a drag wearing fake nails, my nails and hands get sooooo dry from so much frequent handwashing.

Boy!!!! Hospital soap just ruins them! I apply lotion like crazy!

Any ideas to keep your hands from being so dry? Especially around the cuticles!!!! :confused:

karenG · May 29, 2003

Originally posted by nursegreeneyes
!

Any ideas to keep your hands from being so dry? Especially around the cuticles!!!!

if you find anything- let me know!! when I worked at Moorfields eye hospital, my hands would get so dry, they would bleed!! now just very dry!! My mum( who is also a nurse) says you can tell nurses by the state of their hands............we always have dry hands!!

:chuckle

Karen