Being an individual

Libby1987 · Mar 21, 2015

Patients can notice and appreciate the little things. It can cheer up a drab sea of blue scrubs in a small way that will be appreciated by maybe only a few but why not.

But I would make sure my skills carried me before adding any fashion trademarks.

ETA I wouldn't consider it fashion, just a visible layer of personality.

bluegeegoo2, LPN · Mar 21, 2015

I quit dyeing my hair, let the roots grow out then lopped it all off. Now I have a head full of prematurely gray hair at 42. I LOVE it! It seems to have been taken as a rebellious fashion statement of sorts judging by (mostly positive) comments I receive. I had no intention of it being a "statement" other than I was tired of fighting the Great Gray Root Line. But, in a sea of (mostly) women who seem to dye religiously, I guess it could be viewed as such.

blondenurse12, MSN, NP · Mar 21, 2015

I'm surprised how many downers there are on this thread. I too have enjoyed looking "fashionable" at work. Now I suppose it doesn't really matter as I wear a long lab coat. But in the past, I've always had a mandated scrub color, navy or gray. It can be a bit somber, I think. I sometimes would wear fancy ponytail holders with beading or crystals. I liked to wear cute earrings (no dangles). I never wore necklaces because patients can grab those.

I also like wearing makeup. I like to do gradient eye makeup looks. I remember one Halloween I did a candy corn look. haha. I think if done right it can be tasteful but certain things like intense liner or cut creases are not work appropriate. However, my caveat on all this is wait until you are actually employed as a nurse to start letting yourself shine through.

There is an old Japanese proverb "the nail that sticks out will get hammered down". I think nursing school is rather strict and many instructors are older ladies who do not appreciate anything other than extreme conservatism (or at least that has been my experience).

kakamegamama · Mar 21, 2015

Love this! Love this! Love this!
Not to hijack the thread, but I have a shoe 'thing'. Really, a high heel 'thing'. Some 150 pairs of high heels!
In my 'wild and crazy days', I had this awesome sweater - black with metallic threads throughout and it had a colored 'banner' swatch across the front. Neon blue, neon pink and neon green. I liked high heels so much, if I found a turquoise pair, I'd buy an identical red pair; no, I'd buy 2 pairs just because I liked them so much. Well, I found the same style high heels in neon blue, neon pink and neon green with metallic accents.
My sweater was gorgeous and I couldn't make up my mind which color high heels to wear, so I would wear one blue and one green, or one pink and one blue, or green and pink. And let me tell you, I could really trot in those heels!!! I've a set of strappy gold heels and a matching silver pair. And a set with orange and yellow ones. I wore different heels deliberately. And I even had a method in which to determine which color for left foot and which color for right foot to assure equal wear & tear.
There's more to my high heel history. But just to say, wearing 2 different shoes is NO big thing for me.
Now back to the original thread...
To OP - as you move along in your clinical time, you may find that keeping a low profile and being 'under the radar' is preferable to standing out in the crowd. If someone takes a dislike to you, you stand a better chance of 'blending into the wallpaper'. You'll be surprised at the reasons that others take exception to individualism. They won't distinguish 'the wallflower', but they will remember the gal with the jingle bell shoelaces (just an example).

All I can say is....how in the WORLD do you walk in high heels, much less trot in them?????? I'm doing good to walk in my Dansko clogs, and I get a nose bleed every time I wear heels....not to mention my total lack of grace in the things!!!!!! :)

kakamegamama · Mar 21, 2015

I quit dyeing my hair, let the roots grow out then lopped it all off. Now I have a head full of prematurely gray hair at 42. I LOVE it! It seems to have been taken as a rebellious fashion statement of sorts judging by (mostly positive) comments I receive. I had no intention of it being a "statement" other than I was tired of fighting the Great Gray Root Line. But, in a sea of (mostly) women who seem to dye religiously, I guess it could be viewed as such.

Welcome to the world of gray! Mine is almost white...has been for almost 30 years. I tried coloring it for a while but found that I had to change my makeup palette, my clothing colors, and the cost of keeping it up (as well as the time involved) was more than it was worth. I actually love my white hair now, and it has actually opened doors (we work/live overseas part time) that my old color would not have. Yay for gray!!!!

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2015

The funny thing about expressing your individuality with fashion, is people might start to thing you are what you look like.

We had a very smart, very accomplished SCU RN who dyed her hair purple and pink. It was cut in a very fashion forward spike and gel way. She wore neon scrubs with clashing neon shirts underneath. She had an endless supply of colored high top converse which were always visible as she liked to roll the bottom of her pants up to her ankle. I'd heard through the grapevine that she was asked to rein in her creative side, and resisted.

When I say smart, I mean very, very smart.

Her appearance didn't reflect that, and the patients didn't like it.

She was gone after a while. Since she worked another unit on another floor, I didn't know what happened.

Expressing individuality is fine. Just not a good idea at work.

laurellestars · Mar 21, 2015

If you work in a children's hospital, you can pick out your own scrubs.

scaredsilly, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2015

I don't get it. Sorry, I just don't. What hurse is worried about fashion sense on the job? why do you want to stand out? You will be part of a team. If you work in a facility where staff wears color coded scrubs in order for patients to tell who is an RN, a CNA, etc then be proud of the nurse scrubs, you earned it! I really just don't get it! you went into nursing, not modeling, embrace it!

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 21, 2015

The workplace is not the place to make a fashion statement. Can you do some subtle things, such as cute socks? Sure, but I wouldn't take it much beyond that. Any facility is going to have a dress code; in order to keep a job, one needs to follow the dress code as set forth by the facility. Pick your battles wisely; this isn't a battle worth fighting.

MrChicagoRN, RN · Mar 21, 2015

Depends on the facilities dress code. Some wear color coded scrubs, and may or may not allow variance in shoes, socks, laces, jewelry etc. others may specify every detail of outer apparel.

I'd generally avoid most pins for safety reasons and professionalism.

You can Always wear whatever fancy or exotic underwear of your choosing! :geek:

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 21, 2015

You can find a job in a place where there is no scrubs-related dress code. Other than that, I like to wear really brightly colored shoes and socks---the patients (many of whom have poor vision) love it. I already have flaming curly red hair; that alone sets me apart. I am not interested in much else. My work buys my scrubs and I don't give a whip about standing out there. I don't pay for 'em, I just wear em.

NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN · Mar 21, 2015

I accidentally wore two different shoes to work today- maybe you could try that?
Seriously, the two shoes are similar in color, no one noticed.

Me too! And like you said, nobody noticed. I don't care how many years go by I still cannot get used to waking up at 5am. One day I walked into the bathroom before starting my shift and luckily noticed my top was on backwards! Luckily I fixed that one before anyone saw me. Lets just say I'm not the least interested in making a fashion statement. I just wash 'em, wear 'em, and go!