Can I wear long press on nails if I wear gloves during my whole shift?

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I wear very long press on nails, I love them and I'm worried I'd have to get rid of them when I become a nurse-especially because it's my dream to do pediatrics and work in the NICU. Do you think I'd be allowed To keep my long nails if i wear gloves all the time while I work? Opinions? Pls?

Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

I didn't know people still donned press-on nails...

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I didn't know people still donned press-on nails...

ik,r?

I remember Lee press-on nails from my youth, in the '80s. They had regular, glamour length, and active length. The OP must favor the glamour length.

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Specializes in Neuro.
it's my dream to do pediatrics and work in the NICU

If it's your dream then you'll give up those nails. I'm not the most girly of women, but, don't press on's pop off fairly easy anyway? You posted this in the student section so I assume you are a student? Most nursing schools won't even allow for nail polish during the program or at least at clinical (some will allow skin toned or clear). We'd get sent home from lab/clinical if we wore any polish. I highly doubt any sort of fake nail would be allowed. Besides, even IF you could wear gloves "all day" can you imagine the sweat and bacteria growth from that in your glove, yuck. Go get that dream and ditch the nails.

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I know artificial nails and even colored polish is usually frowned upon, but I'd like to put in a plug for ImPress press-on nails! They last up to a week even if you're doing regular things with your nails - washing dishes, etc. - and don't use nail glue or damage your nails. So if anyone's looking for a beautiful, professional-looking manicure for less, check them out! They're perfect for a special occasion and you can get them at Target, Walmart, etc..

But definitely don't wear them to work!

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Sorry for the bad news but no. Every hospital, agency, or other that I've worked at has always had a written policy that is brought up in orientation that states "nails can be no longer than one quarter inch past end of fingers and artificial nails are prohibited"

Artificial nails are typically known to be "dirty" and harbor bacteria/fungus that can cause infection. I doubt very much you'd ever find and facility that doesnt have a fingernail length/no artificial nails policy.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Do you think I'd be allowed To keep my long nails if i wear gloves all the time while I work?

Good lord, no. I'm sorry, but just no. You absolutely will not be able to wear fake nails in nursing school or as a nurse.

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Welcome to AN.com, Cxrleen!

I hope you feel and believe you've received adequate responses to your question and don't mind me having a little fun with it.

The best to you!

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Specializes in NICU.

The reason you can't wear gloves all shift is because you can't wash gloved hands. Once the gloves have touched something they are contaminated with whatever you touched and you have to take them off. Also, when you put on a pair of gloves your hands touch the outside of the gloves. So whatever is on your hands will be in contact with the outside of your gloves. Fake nails are considered contaminated so your gloves would be comtaminated.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Pressed nail... what the hey is that anyway?

Fake nails that stick on with adhesive.

OP, you can wear them on your days off. :)

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.
Ladies and Gents,

If you are an aspiring nurse and would like to work on a medical floor with hands-on experience... high heels are a big no no!!! :roflmao:

Hmm somebody should let some of the doctors and surgeons know about that.

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You can cause a health risk to the babies, working in the NICU is my dream also and like you I love having fake nails ,but if we want to work there. We have to give up on wearing fake nails . I say wear them when you're not working like when you go on vacation keep them away from the babies , you don't want the babies to die or feel pain because of you're nails , Please think of the babies .

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This CANNOT POSSIBLY BE A LEGIT QUESTION CAN IT? -at least I hope it's not.

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

For all anyone knows, this is a high school student that hasn't had any exposure to hospital nursing and hasn't even started pre-req classes. Calling it a dumb question or saying that it can't possibly be a real question isn't helpful. The OP may really not know. Its not a federal offense to ask.

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