Can we talk about "fashion" scrubs vs "scrubby" scrubs?

[Polly Peptide, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I've been noticing a trend, at least in some hospitals, that those in a "provider" role (be it physician, NP, PA, CRNA) like to wear "scrubby" scrubs.  OR scrubs.  Basically, you have to look like you just left surgery, like you don't care (but really...you do).  I guess some actually don't care.  But there's a certain look...that 'I don't want to look like I tried but really I did' thing...as well as...'I must differentiate myself from the OTHERS.  There are of course the providers/physicians who need to wear business casual, but I'm not talking about those.

And then there's the nurses...wearing all the most fashionable scrubs...the joggers, the Figs, etc.  Nurses need pockets!  Surgical scrubs do NOT have pockets.  There's a battle between looking good and utility.  Mix those in with the 20+ year nurses wearing their faded cargo pants.  But still...they aren't wearing OR scrubs.

What is this?  It kind of feels like some high school way of creating a pecking order.

 

 

[FiremedicMike, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

On 2/15/2022 at 7:24 PM, Polly Peptide said:

I've been noticing a trend, at least in some hospitals, that those in a "provider" role (be it physician, NP, PA, CRNA) like to wear "scrubby" scrubs.  OR scrubs.  Basically, you have to look like you just left surgery, like you don't care (but really...you do).  I guess some actually don't care.  But there's a certain look...that 'I don't want to look like I tried but really I did' thing...as well as...'I must differentiate myself from the OTHERS.  There are of course the providers/physicians who need to wear business casual, but I'm not talking about those.

And then there's the nurses...wearing all the most fashionable scrubs...the joggers, the Figs, etc.  Nurses need pockets!  Surgical scrubs do NOT have pockets.  There's a battle between looking good and utility.  Mix those in with the 20+ year nurses wearing their faded cargo pants.  But still...they aren't wearing OR scrubs.

What is this?  It kind of feels like some high school way of creating a pecking order.

 

 

You do have to laugh at the evolution of scrubs.  They were originally designed to be reusable/semi-disposable garments so that you could wear your street clothes to work, change into attire that would stay at the hospital, then change back and not bring the blood, muck, and diseases back home after your days long shift. 

Now, they’ve basically become pajamas that you wear to work, and the whole “leaving the diseases at work” thing has gone right out the window.. 

 

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I'm a provider in a large nephrology practice. My practice areas are multiple office where I see general nephrology pts. I also travel to multiple hemodialysis units. I wear scrubs (with multiple pockets) and lightweight long-sleeved undershirt and scrub top. When I'm in the office, I add a lab coat. When in the dialysis units, I have a disposable gown, mask, visor and gloves. So, in the end it doesn't really matter what I wear - LOL. 

[chulada77, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN]

Even when I rounded for acute patients, as a NP, my need for functional pockets is low. I need a pen, stethoscope and my iPad to do orders. I don’t need flushes and syringes etc that I carried as a RN. I wear fashion scrubs now, one back pocket and maybe a breast pocket- that’s all I need. 

[Spinmass, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I am an RN in inpatient dialysis and PMHNP student. Typically I rock the OR scrubs.... Purely because I can wear street clothes to the hospital, throw on scrubs get my work done and change out and be clean(er) again. I have access to a shower if I need it as well. I never understood why anybody in dialysis, where we use a ton of bleach, would want to invest in fashion scrubs.