Artificial Nails Anyone

bettyboop · Jan 28, 2006

I myself wore artificial nails for a long time in ICU then a new infection control policy came out and artificial nails were then banned.

The rational there was the high risk of cross infection!

Actually tried to contest it as the blue light test showed artificial and real nails were the same risk and the infection control risk was as always dependent on the individuals hand hygiene, but the hospital did not see it as such so I was forced to remove my nails. Now have long natural nails and there is a debate going on now whether to make nurses cut there nails right back:stone some you just carnt win.

gale

linsey · Jan 28, 2006

I have been wearing fake nails for about 2 years now and was just recently told that i had to remove them, keeping in mind that i was working in a military hospital, i did not know that other places were doing the same thing, however i do believe that fakes carry more microrganisms however if you are wearing gloves and doing what your supposed to that should not be an issue, but people never do what they know they should

rpv_rn · Jan 28, 2006

Studies offer mounting evidence that long nails or those that are bonded with cosmetic acrylic or plastic material can shelter bacteria, viruses or fungi such as yeast and pose a special danger to those with weakened immune systems.

According to a growing number of studies, nails longer than a quarter of an inch offer a good environment for infections to grow. Newborns, patients with cancer and other diseases, and those in high-risk settings such as intensive-care units or operating rooms are especially vulnerable.

Chipped nail polish and artificial nails also can support the growth of organisms such as yeast that resist a good hand washing, according to an October 2002 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report also contained guidelines on hygiene for artificial and natural nails.

Lorie P. · Jan 28, 2006

no long real or artificial nails at my work........both tend to harbor cooties and if you are caught. 1 warning. 2 write up and 3 suspension

besides i found that long nails either way tend to get in the way and with very elderly pts with fragial skin and easy way to give them a skintear that leads to a whole heap of more problems for both the pt/staff to deal with

besides it is much easy to clean short nails and keep them that way.

DorkyStudentNurse · Jan 28, 2006

No artificial, long, or painted nails allowed here. I'm used to having long nails, so it's sort of an adjustment for me, but I agree with the policy.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2006

Short, bare, clean nails.

I can't imagine trying to keep polish and acrylics on hands getting scrubbed 22 times a day. And the acrylics can foster fungi underneath - I've gotten it in the past - and a chip in polish can harbor microrganisms, not to mention shelter a piece of pooh.

Besides, imagine poking a hole through gloves. Bye bye, protection!

live4today, RN · Jan 28, 2006

I was wondering your views on artificial nails in the critical care workplace. Should or should they not be allowed in the hospital setting? If so why and if not why?
Thank You for your input!

I'm all for banning artificial nails from clinical workplace areas because they carry a lot of bacteria that the patients do not need to be exposed to. There's more than enough germs in the hospitals as it is without staff adding to them. :rolleyes:

And for those nurses (like myself) who don't wear artificial nails, we should keep our real nails short and clean at all times. I did this before becoming a nurse because I didn't want to scratch any of my children, or anyone's child for that matter. Common sense is really not all that bad to listen to. :)

KatieBell · Jan 28, 2006

Firstly, is this a homework question? It just is posed like an assignment might be. As a traveler, I have worked at many hospitals. None allow fake nails anymore.

I'm particularly fond of polish in a neutral clear type color, but have been thinking of the crud that gets stuck if the polish chips and pretty much decided to avoid the polish as well.

tntrn, ASN, RN · Jan 28, 2006

I'm an unhappy former acrylic nail wearer. I went to acrylics because my own nails are weak, thin, crack and peel, sometimes to the point of bleeding. Keeping polish on acrylics is far easier than on natural nails because the oils in your natural nails are a detriment to good adherence. I have always worn my nails, (acrylic or natural) short because I sew, and play musical instruments that require it. I DO NOT in any way think my nails and hands are any healthier now than when I wore acrylics, and I don't really care what the studies say. It's very hard for me to believe that when my nails and cuticles are cracked and even bleeding they are less of a health threat than when I had short, perfectly manicured, no broken skin acrylic nails.

Still, I took them off. I know nurses who are now putting them back on, for much the same reason I cite above---their natural nails are a health problem. Perhaps every time we have a bleeding nail, torn by merely bumping into a piece of equipment, we should run to the ER or Employee health.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2006

I was wondering your views on artificial nails in the critical care workplace. Should or should they not be allowed in the hospital setting? If so why and if not why?
Thank You for your input!

The last time I wore acrylic nails was 2 years ago, and I was not in the nursing field at that time. They harbor bacteria; therefore, they cannot be healthy for those who are constantly exposed to germs.

mandana · Jan 28, 2006

Artificial nails should absolutely NOT be allowed for nurses.

Here's why:

http://www.physweekly.com/archive/00/04_24_00/itn2.html

This is a documented case - one can only imagine how many undiscovered instances of this sort of thing there are.

Edited to add: longer nails - whether artificial or real - can also cause microtears in gloves exposing patients to your germs, and you to theirs. I personally think long nails are pretty, but I knew when I signed on for the job that I'd be relegated to ugly hands.

Amanda