Artificial nails?

Are artificial nails allowed in your facility? Do you believe that it is an infection control issue with the nails in facilities?

Absolutely not allowed. It is a send you home offense. I am not sure of the infection control issue.

Are artificial nails allowed in your facility? Do you believe that it is an infection control issue with the nails in facilities?

Was told in CNA class that no artificial nails would be allowed because you can't keep them clean and will infect your patients.

No and yes

No way! Not only are they a big infection risk (have you taken Microbiology?) but how can you do anything with them on???? I got them once for my friends wedding and could not even manage to zip up my pants the next day!! If I saw a nurse with big long nails coming at me with a syringe I would tell her to get away!

just say no

No artificial nails allowed in my facility. Not for the last few years. I had never worn them, but some of the girls were peeved.

rkst, I see that you are a new poster. First of all Welcome. Secondly I see that you were told to do your research. I have seen that remark before the problem I have with it is if you are new you do not know how too at least I didn't. At the top of the page are links like "member list, quick links, log out etc" well one of the options is "search" click on that and then type in what topic you want to ask about or discuss it will bring up several threads that have been discussed previously. That way you will know if a topic has been discussed already. I hope that helps you know how to "do your research".

Are artificial nails allowed in your facility?

No.

Do you believe that it is an infection control issue with the nails in facilities?

Yes it is.

I am not sure if they are allowed where I work but I only see one nurse and the unit secretary wearing them. They do not wear the super long ones. I think they are a huge infection risk and they should be banned! Personally I don't like the look of them either. You can always tell they aren't real nails. Who's nails are naturally that thick and perfectly square?

Technically, in my hospital they are not allowed. It's in the handbook. But people still wear them and nothing is said to them. I think it's a huge infection control issue. I have what look like artificial nails, they grow long and thich and have that rounded look. But they are real. When I took my CNA classes we were told to turn our hands around so that our palms our facing us and if we can see our nails then they are too long. Since then when I cut my nails I follow that rule. If you have long nails, even if you wash your hands often you're not taking a scrub brush to get underneath your nails. I did get artificial nails (before nursing) for prom. I spent more time worrying about one falling off than I did anything else. At the time I was working in a restaurant and something was said to me about it. If you can't have artificial nails in a restaurant then you shouldn't have them in nursing. Our policy also states that nail polish needs to be either clear or a light color. That too isn't enforced. If it is a JACHO rule then you would think it would be enforced.

I personally like my nails short. I feel that it makes me look more professional than having bright red artificial nails. Plus, what if one would break off when caring for a patient? It seems also that it would puncture your gloves more easily. Also, you could easily scratch a patient.