Caps anyone??

[KibbsRNstudent]

I finally get to nursing school after waiting my whole life(literally since I was 2 yrs old I wanted to be a nurse) to get the hard earned cap and I found out the other day that they do not give out caps anymore. Just pins(and that is after you buy your pin) My grandma was a nurse and she used to make me a cap and draw a red cross on it and then bobby pin it to my head. I felt so special with taht on. I used to go around with my "cap" and my grandmas stethascope and play nurse. My grandma told me that someday I woudl earn my own cap. Now I find out taht they are oing away with the caps as no one wears them anymore. Well I say bring the cap back! (I would wear it. :) ) but even if no one wears them at least bring them back as the symbol of the hard earned trophy. ya know?

[totallytheresa]

My school graduates nurses in classic graduation attire- black gown, black capboard thing with the tassle. I was bummed about that because I have my AS in another field and sort of wanted the white cap, I guess it symbolizes nursing from the beginning of time. (Just a material symbol, nobody yell at me!!!) But I know... what will really matter is having those initials... RN :)

[suzy253, RN]

I agree with no cap at work but a capping ceremony would still be special and I like the pin for the guys! I am so blessed that we had it all cap, lamp and pin back in the days. It doesn't make you a great nurse but it would be a momento!

Yes...we were all so proud to receive our caps--even the guys liked the pins. It is a very important, special tradition in our school. They make a pretty big deal of it which some students didn't really take to but the majority did. I think it's wonderful--and nice to have the momento. Can't wait until graduation when I get my official school pin. It's a beautiful one too!

[Brickman]

Excuse me but am I the only one that thinks the caps are just a little bit sexist? I don't see how returning to a tradition that excludes men is in any way acceptable. The pinning is sufficient.

[jschut, BSN, RN]

I have a cap and wore mine for my pictures and to my pinning. I wish it would come back and I would wear mine with pride!

Right now, it's in a plastic case sitting in my knick knack shelf as the centerpiece of all my nursing goodies!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I agree ... I'm a bit of a sentimental traditionalist - it would be nice to receive the cap for graduation. I wouldn't ever, ever wear a cap to work, but it would be a neat continuation of tradition for a graduation ceremony. Not sure what the answer is for the guys though ...

My school still does pins, and that's nice.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Excuse me but am I the only one that thinks the caps are just a little bit sexist? I don't see how returning to a tradition that excludes men is in any way acceptable. The pinning is sufficient.

NO you are NOT alone. :)

[veteranRN]

Seeing nurses in caps reminds me of the nurse/handmaiden/servent to the doctors stereotype. I think in order to advance as a true profession, we must do away with the items that continue the stereotype and look and act like the true professionals we are. I proudly wear my pin but have no desire to wear or even look at a cap. :chair:

Just my .02

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

I would have loved to have eceived a cap as a keepsake, a symbol of my acheivment.

I would not wear it, though.

I finally bought myself a cap on eBay.

It's not the same as getting a cap presented to you at graduation, though.

[SugarMagnoliaMom]

I would like to recieve a cap, out of tradition. The LPN school where I used to live would give them out. Both the men and women would get caps, a Nightengale lamp and a pin.

I would do as another poster mentioned, place it in a display box and keep it on a shelf with my diploma.

:)

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Have any of you thought about petitioning the school to reinstate it? If you didn't want one you didn't have to participate. Perhaps a group could set up an unofficial ceremony and have it at a church or lodge hall.

Kay's caps will copy any design (for a nice fee I'm sure) or you could all vote on the cap you'd like. My first two nursing schools had wonderful original caps but the one I graduated from had the old generic one. In fact we were told if we wanted one to go down on main street and get one at the uniform store.

[Jailhouse RN]

I wanted it and I still wear it on my consultation jacket and I have one that goes on my sport coat. It also makes a great tie tack. Wear it with pride in your work.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I think the caps are sexist as well, but wore it anyway because the **** thing was expensive, and it was required.