Attractive nurses in danger?!

[Blackheartednurse]

So today I had the first day of my training for a home-health RN position...i wore a professional cloths-pale pink blouse and an elegant pants.From the get-go the nurse who was my preceptor for the day said you are too beautiful to wear street cloths for a home health job,you need to wear scrubs and stethoscope around your neck so when you go to not so good neighborhoods there is a less chance you someone will bother you.Wow I was surprised and it got me thinking are the attractive nurses in danger?!

[April, RN, BSN, RN]

I think she convinced me,I will be wearing my navy scrubs next time.

I'm surprised they didn't discuss dress code with you before you started.

[klone, MSN, RN]

BHN, attractiveness has nothing to do with a woman being at greater risk of being victimized.

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

I think it is important to look professional, nurses should wear scrubs even when they take care of patients at home. The scrubs can be used to identify the nurse from others. Provocative clothes will make people who have nothing better to do stare and talk to you. I love fashion, and I have more colors in my closet than the rainbow. When it comes to professon I will wear something that can identify me and the hospital, this way the patient will respect and trust you more.

[Mulan]

Why would you wear "elegant" pants to work? Just curious.

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

I work in home health and wear professional/fashionable looking scrubs. I have two different elderly demented pt's (pleasantly confused males) that always think I'm there for sex. I don't know if they think I have the naughty nurse look going on or what. I can handle them easily enough....However, If your non demented patient starts to get fixated on you, I'd suggest to change assignments. It's about setting boundaries and limits. Beauty is only in the eye of the beholder. If someone is going to attack you, they are going to attack you regardless of what you are wearing.

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I'm just so surprised she has made statement like that-I thought it was ok for the home health nurses to wear regular clothing instead of scrubs and I didnt know that looks or cloths made any difference in terms of safety.Just made me think if attractive nurses are the victims of sexual harrasment by patients like for an instance in psychiatric wards,jails and home-health care.

Clothes can make a difference in terms of safety regardless of where you are or what you're doing - it doesn't have to be nursing.

[jkaee]

I'm just so surprised she has made statement like that-I thought it was ok for the home health nurses to wear regular clothing instead of scrubs and I didnt know that looks or cloths made any difference in terms of safety.Just made me think if attractive nurses are the victims of sexual harrasment by patients like for an instance in psychiatric wards,jails and home-health care.

In my experience, it doesn't matter what a person looks like that determines how or when they are harassed by patients. The setting in which these nurses work also has absolutely no bearing.

Who determines what's considered attractive, anyway? Besides, that rarely has anything to do with it. There have been infants and elderly who have been victimized in a sexual way.

Try not to think into it too much, just take the advice from someone who has probably "been there, done that."

[kids]

I'm just so surprised she has made statement like that-I thought it was ok for the home health nurses to wear regular clothing instead of scrubs and I didnt know that looks or cloths made any difference in terms of safety.Just made me think if attractive nurses are the victims of sexual harrasment by patients like for an instance in psychiatric wards,jails and home-health care.

I wish sexual harassment was all I had to worry about in some of the neighborhoods I've been in. I'm far more concerned about risks to my personal safety and that my car will be where I parked it.

By the way, sexual harassment (and rape) happens to un-attractive people too. It has very little to do with looks and everything to do with power.

[Blackheartednurse]

Someone commented on your clothing. Not your innate attractiveness or lack thereof.

An honest question: as an educated nurse, with some exposure to psychology ... do you believe that "attractiveness" determines who will be the victim of an individual with a propensity for aggression or violence?

No she said she fears for my safety cause I'm beautiful:o She said that to avoid troubles i should not wear street cloths.

To answer your second question; Ted Bundy (famous serial killer) picked only good looking females.

[Blackheartednurse]

Why would you wear "elegant" pants to work? Just curious.

Should I wear jeans instead?????????????

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

No she said she fears for my safety cause I'm beautiful:o She said that to avoid troubles i should not wear street cloths.

To answer your second question; Ted Bundy (famous serial killer) picked only good looking females.

I wouldn't take her words to heart. She's probably just trying to get you to adhere to the dress policy without insulting your fashion taste. Beats the heck out of the memos that go to everyone reminds people to bathe and brush their hair.

[leslie :-D]

when i shadowed a hospice nurse in nsg school, we went to sev'l high-crime neighborhoods.

she told me that wearing uniform/scrubs (as opposed to casual attire), deflects a lot of potential, criminal acts.

that they pretty much leave you alone, if they know you're there to tend to a pt.

if you are indeed attractive, i'm pretty sure you'll get looks, regardless of what you wear.

but as for car theft and/or rape, its victims come in all ages, shapes, genders.

a professional nurse would recognize this.

anyone who's self-absorbed, usally does not.

and please, do not use ted bundy as the prototype for all offenders.

that guy is about as sick as they come.

leslie