Artificial Nails

[Nursekatydid]

Good idea KC, just curious what your guys' opinion on artificial nails are. I feel that nurses should not have them, they are impractical and are loaded with germs. Not to mention accidentally scratching patients with them. I also feel the same way about people with real nails that are long. They just are not a good idea. Just think of all the crud that would get stuck under the nail, EWWWWWWW:eek:

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

I have read the studies. That doesn't necessarily mean we're all running around with fungus under our nails. Having had a fungus on my natural nails years ago, I know about fungus.

My natural nails are not strong, they split, sometimes they crack and peel, or even bleed. I just don't believe that is automatically healthier than nails that are well-groomed with no cracks, peeling, or bleeding. Oh, and cuticle infections when I don't wear acrylics.

Try to see both sides of the picture, if you could.

[TigRN]

tntrn - you're right it doesn't mean ALL nurses with fake nails are running around with a fungus growing under them. But, if you read the articles and the studies it shows a STRONGER incidence of infection spread, fungus, etc., in those with artificial nails.

Think about it - how would you feel if you were the parent of one of those infants who died and the result well could have been your artificial nails? Much less how would you feel if you were the nurse - even knowing you were diligent in wearing your gloves and washing your hands?

Perhaps if you have that much problem with your natural nails you should be seeking medical advice. My natural nails are now week and split simply because I wore acrylic nails for so long. They have been off 4 months now and my nails are just starting to show signs of "healing". I don't think it's a matter of not seeing both sides as much as it is in being smart enough to understand the risks to our patients.

[NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN]

Well, obviously, you are the exception to the rule- your delicate fingernails and cuticles may, indeed, require additional "support".

Personally, I think we are splitting hairs...um...nails...?...here.

There are exceptions to every rule.

She may be one of them.

Duly noted.

This discussion, then, is actually aimed at those who do not suffer from the same condition- and I work with at least two of them. I wonder if our own ID people would be willing to culture the nails of my co-workers...sort of our own in-house study...have any of you ever asked for this at your own facilities (just out of curiousity)?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Originally posted by tntrn

Having had a fungus on my natural nails years ago, I know about fungus.

My natural nails are not strong, they split, sometimes they crack and peel, or even bleed.

Actually, it sounds to me as if you may still have nail fungus. If you're prone to it, I imagine wearing artificial nails probably exascerbates the problem.

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

Prone to it? I said I had it once before. It was not a chronic condition and it was limited to one nail.

The cracking, etc., happens to all my nails, and has been that way as long as I've been able to file my own nails.

The fungus I had did not cause any of the above symptoms to happen to the one nail that was afflicted.

[TigRN]

NICU Nurse -- see my previous post on this thread... my IC nurse here actually did culture an inhouse acrylic nail..... it was mine! And I don't even come into contact with patients.... so that should tell you how much fungus, bacteria they can carry. I would have hated to see it if I still worked with patients!

[NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN]

I did read that...I was just wondering if anyone else had done that as well. :kiss

I think I'm going to suggest it- a friend of mine is one of the naughty co-workers; I'm sure I could convince her to give up a nail or two for the sake of research (well, that and the promise of margaritas on me...small price to pay for the lives of babies!).

I just wonder if our ID people would be interested. I wonder if they'd find something gross and then she'd be spotlighted inadvertently...hmmm...

[TigRN]

Do what mine did -- do it annoymously... if your ID people would do it. I'm surprised your hospital has not gotten on board with many others and not allowed them. If you can get the nail from her [heck I wish I had been offered margaritas!! :roll ] and the ID people will cooperate, don't tell them who you got it from...... I was really glad people didn't know where the one they had at the health fair came from ---- people were offering to pay if our ID nurse would tell

[NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN]

Okay- sidetracking a tad here. (PS- Will do with the anonymous thing...going to find out when I return to work. If anything happens, will post.) :)

I have been looking on CDC.gov and coming up empty-handed; does anyone have the link directly to one/both of the following position statements- the one about alchohol cleansers and the one regarding fake fingernails? I'm about to boot the CDC web site in the head. So to speak. (That's my crazy grin. See how my eyes are glistening with psychotic fury?)

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

We did conduct the study at our facility. That's how the nails were banned the day after the results were back.

[Big Bab's]

While in labor with my oldest child, a nurse came in to "check my cervix", she had like 3 inch hot pink nails!!!...I told her there was NO WAY IN HE__ she was gonna touch me with those!!!....I was afraid she would lacerate the baby's noggin', not to mention my tonsils!!!!

[Nursekatydid]

I'd believe it. There was an OB dr. that came in to deliver a baby with FAKE NAILS on!!!!! I was floored!!!! I was a student in OB at the time.