Banner Hospitals to go to Uniforms

Nurses General Nursing

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I work at a Banner hospital in AZ and in the last few weeks we just found out that our hospital is going to uniforms in January. Uniforms will be color-coded for job title. RNs will be in Navy blue and we are only allowed to wear the assigned uniforms bought through the hospital (must be Cherokee uniforms, in the chosen color-can't find the color at a store in case it doesn't match, with the hospital logo on them). We are also being told that we have to match any undergarments (i.e. long sleeves) to the top and any coats/jackets have to be the same color with a Banner logo on them.

So far there are now three AZ Banner hospitals doing this but we have now heard that they are taking the system wide and every single Banner hospital will do this. It may take a while to get to everyone but that is the plan so we were told we can't argue it.

The kicker is that I work in Peds and the hospital I am at is building a 7 story Children's Hospital. The adult and peds ER will connect but the Children's Hospital will be independent. The rules only "bend" slightly to allow pediatric RNs only to choose from 3 assigned "kid friendly tops". Meanwhile all their advertisements regarding the pediatric department is "Creativity" and "Through the Eyes of a Child".

I just talked to another Banner employee (that works at a different Banner) tonight and that was the first she had heard about any of it. She knew the newest Banner was uniforms but thought they had voted that was and that it was just the one hospital. She is now going to inform her co-workers of the new decision.

People are mad and feel discouraged and disrespected. My patients know who I am (job title) and now my kids will associate my blue uniform with the last person who stuck them with a needle. Let the kicking and screaming begin (for the kids AND the employees).

Hopefully this can be stopped but right now we are told we can't do anything. The decision, I imagine, was made by some suit who never steps foot in the hospital and has never worn scrubs or worked a 13 hour day on his/her feet. I really like where I am but if this goes through I am considering going to the other Children's Hospital. As far as I am concerned they need me, along with the other several thousand employees that work at Banner, more than I need them.

Ok, so those are my two cents. Sorry to those that this is news to.

If you work at Banner you can go on the intranet and search for "fashion show" or "uniforms" and you can see pics of the new uniforms.

Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

I think color coding is a great idea. It makes it easier for pts and staff to know who is who with out guessing. Of course some pts will not catch on but I think the most will. I would love to be able to just look at someone and know who they are without having to walk up and find their badge (if on and facing right) or asking them. I dont know why anyone is hot and heavy over this. They are not making you wear white or a cap, just asking for a certain color. I hope all places move to this, along with the patches that say RN CNA ect...

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

I wouldn't have a problem with this, as long as the hospital provided the uniforms or provided financial reimbursement for the buying of new uniforms. I would highly resent it if I were told to buy all new uniforms for myself. But I would have no problem whatsoever with adhering to a stricter dress code.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

In the facility that I work, we are allowed to wear what we choose. However, I know RNs who work at another facility in another town that has color coded their units. The facility pays for the scrubs and launders them-the staff is charged a small fee for the laundering. (Sorry, don't know what the fee is.)

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
In the facility that I work, we are allowed to wear what we choose. However, I know RNs who work at another facility in another town that has color coded their units. The facility pays for the scrubs and launders them-the staff is charged a small fee for the laundering. (Sorry, don't know what the fee is.)

That sounds great! Where I work, OB wears hospital color coded scrubs and there is no charge. They all change at work. All other nursing depts wear whatever they want to, colorwise.

I really wouldn't mind, although patients where I work like seeing what we wear. Patients are already used to this and enjoy the variety. Also, patients wouldn't really understand the color coding sceme, so it wouldn't be a very good identifier like the old uniform with a nurses cap, if that's what they are trying to recreate.

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I agree with the color coding in every place except for Peds. That needs to be the exception because if they are concerned with doing things "through the eyes of a child" then they are placing undue duress on those children because they will associate the dress with pain.

I think it's horrible.

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Specializes in Acute Hemodialysis, Cardiac, ICU, OR.
Thank press-ganey and the fact that customers give higher scores for being able to identify their caregiver by color coding. I hate press-ganey sometimes, but most of the time it makes sense.

Ditto that. I understand the customer service aspect of color-coding the scrubs (we have one hospital locally that does this -- solid maroon for RN, solid maroon top with white (yikes!) pants for LVN, I forget what the PCAs wear -- I don't work there!)

It may also have a passive-aggressive aspect seen as a benefit by administration -- with the 'cute' scrubs like Izzy and Urbane out there, some nurses are... not as covered-up as deemed appropriate? Having designated uniforms keeps some nurses from displaying all of their 'assets' ;)

The company I work for has 'uniform' scrubs that we are technically supposed to wear, but my particular unit is not strict about it. We have three colors and three prints to choose from, in three or four different styles for tops, and two for pants. To boot, the company buys everyone two sets two to three times a year (and you can buy more for about $7 per piece).

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

Gee if we had to start wearing caps again.......I'd have to go out and buy one! I didn't get one from my undergrad program!

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Specializes in Critical Care,Recovery, ED.

Is Banner making you pay for the uniforms or do you have to purchase them out of your own funds? If it's the latter I have a problem with that.

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Specializes in PICU.

The parents of our peds patients were actually polled on this idea and they hated the idea. They like that we wear fun colors and relatable cartoon caracters on our tops. I have had lots of kids point out things on my scrub tops. So if the employees hate it, the parents don't like it and they advertise a child's view for their new children's hospital yet they are still going through with it, how this still going to work? Part of the fun of working in scrubs and peds is being able to wear fun, personalized scrubs. As far as me, I don't wander around my hospital all confused about who everyone around me is. Right now the only ones in uniforms are the non-medical workers such as housekeeping.

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Specializes in PICU.

If we are full time, we are issued 3 uniforms. Part time gets 1.

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Specializes in 5th Semester - Graduation Dec '09!.
I am sorry but I see nothing wrong with color coding different departments. Granted, everyone generally wears ID badges but how many times have I attempted to look at someone's, only to find it turned around and unreadable.....

Woody:balloons:

I was afraid to say something, but I agree with Woody. With the nurses that I have seen on some units, I strongly believe that uniforms policies should be in place. Unless you work in Peds, you shouldn't be wearing kid-friendly scrubs--- its simply not professional. I mean, you are facing death and the nurse walks in with Tinkerbell scrubs.. are you serious? Your professional appearance is important for someone who is trusting you-- you must appear competent and professional.

I think that color coding is efficient, and I am sure people do notice. Coming from someone who has been a family member, you never know who the nurse is. The badges are always backwards!

Im not trying to go against the grain, but its just what I believe.

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Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
I was afraid to say something, but I agree with Woody. With the nurses that I have seen on some units, I strongly believe that uniforms policies should be in place. Unless you work in Peds, you shouldn't be wearing kid-friendly scrubs--- its simply not professional. I mean, you are facing death and the nurse walks in with Tinkerbell scrubs.. are you serious? Your professional appearance is important for someone who is trusting you-- you must appear competent and professional.

I think that color coding is efficient, and I am sure people do notice. Coming from someone who has been a family member, you never know who the nurse is. The badges are always backwards!

Im not trying to go against the grain, but its just what I believe.

Thanks for your support. One thing I forgot to post. When I was working I received a uniform allowance. It was a set number of dollars paid out every three months. If a facility is going to require you to purchase your uniforms from their supplier, they should be made to give you an uniform allowance. And like in my time, a set number of dollars per year.

Woody:balloons:

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