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

[Cxrleen]

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?

[wildnursebrendan]

If you think having claws and wearing gloves all day is an option, it makes me think you have never spent a day in a healthcare setting. I recommend job shadowing a nurse or volunteering at a hospital at least once to find out if you actually want to be a nurse. It sounds kind of cool, and makes good money. But it's stressful, difficult, messy, emotionally draining work.

[KrCmommy522, BSN, RN]

P.s.

Pressed nail... what the hey is that anyway?

It's those one's that you get at the grocery store that just press on with cheap glue or like a sticky thing. Which might make it even worse because then those things can be falling off who knows where!

[KrCmommy522, BSN, RN]

Yes you're right. I'm only 15 and I don't know much about nursing. Thank you for being nice unlike the other responses.

Very good point! The old saying, "The only stupid question is the question not asked," comes to mind!

OP - As other posters have said, NO you cannot wear press on nails and NO not even if you wear your gloves all day! (1) They are a risk for infection, (2) you cannot wear gloves outside of patient rooms, and (3) if you want to work in the NICU you can to think about the fact that if you were wearing nails (or even had long nails that were your own) you could scratch/cut their thin, fragile skin, and they are at higher risk for infection!

Once you start nursing school you will have to have your nails cut down SHORT, and wear no nail polish. Well, at my school we were allowed nail polish but it had to be a very light neutral color (e.g., nude).

Good news is, you'll have days off and they are press on so you can just pop em on when you have days off and pop em off before you have to go back into work!

Hey! I thought my response was nice!

[alexalex77]

I exactly know how you're feeling. I love getting my nails done especially with acrylic. I've heard you can't wear acrylic nails as a nurse. I'm going to have to mentally prepare myself for not being able to wear acrylic anymore. And I'm also considering some press-on nails, just read about them on Productadvisor . I guess short ones will be okay

[Wiggly Litchi]

I exactly know how you're feeling. I love getting my nails done especially with acrylic. I've heard you can't wear acrylic nails as a nurse. I'm going to have to mentally prepare myself for not being able to wear acrylic anymore. And I'm also considering some press-on nails, just read about them on Productadvisor . I guess short ones will be okay

No acrylic, no press-ons, no polish. Naked, well-trimmed nails only.

Polish, press-ons etc. can harbor bacteria (especially Pseudomonas), and this can be passed from patient to patient. It's not pretty

I know it sucks because we all like feeling cute - you can totally rock some polish etc. on your days off, but be sure to keep those nails clear throughout your shift.

Have you started nursing school yet by chance? If not, prepare for "the nail talk"! haha :)

[Orion81RN]

It's those one's that you get at the grocery store that just press on with cheap glue or like a sticky thing. Which might make it even worse because then those things can be falling off who knows where!

Like when I was doing CPR on a patient. Yeah, the coroner was probably really confused. One and only time I ever decided to wear them to work.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I exactly know how you're feeling. I love getting my nails done especially with acrylic. I've heard you can't wear acrylic nails as a nurse. I'm going to have to mentally prepare myself for not being able to wear acrylic anymore. And I'm also considering some press-on nails, just read about them on Productadvisor . I guess short ones will be okay

No, this isn't only about the length. Research has shown that with nail polish (there are always little areas that get chipped or that aren't completely smooth) and with fake nails (as your real nail grows, there is a small ridge there), bacteria can adhere or can make their way underneath the fake nail.

It's not good nursing practice and most facilities have rules against it.

That said....

I've seen many nurses with fake or polished nails that don't believe rules apply to them-because clearly they don't (evidenced by the fact that their supervisors say nothing about it).