Casual Days

I understand your concerns and share your professional views. We as nurses are required by law in most states to identify ourselves, with at least a name badge, when we are "on the clock". I work in a physician's office and asssist with endoscopic procedures daily.

If I choose to wear clothing other than a "uniform", I ALWAYS wear my white jacket and name badge. If I am going to be involved endoscopy that day, I wear my protective gown , shoe covers, mask, gloves, etc. as well.

I had a similar experience to yours when I was admitting my brother-in-law to a physical rehab. facility. It was casual Friday at this facility too, and this woman came in to do his intake and physicl exam. At no point did she identify who she was or what her qualifications were. She was wearing jeans and a plaid shirt with boots!

I was very weary of the facility from this point.

Yea, it does seem the dress code has gone by the wayside. How's this: My mom several years ago, (at my hosp) went for her First Radiation Treatment(Breast Ca.)of all days-Halloween at 9:00 pm (by herself) and "Howdy Duedee" (spelling?), gave her, her first treatment. There were no other patients, she was the last patient of the day and talk about a "freaked out experience" she said "there I layed exposed and I wasnt' even sure he was a hospital worker" Well thank God he was and she has lived to tell the tale!! ....imaRN :)

[ May 17, 2001: Message edited by: imaRN ]

I have worked in long term care most of my 26 years in nursing...and casual days and theme days are a common occurrence. There is no "danger" to quality patient care. Staff in our facility still wear their name tags and the residents love to see the different outfits. The facility is home to these folks, and we are able to maintain quality care AND adhere to infection control policies while making them smile!!!

:) I work in a nursing home here in texas and I think that we should go to different color scrubs reall think that white is out dated.think that we should be able to whear something that has color for cheer fully.but should have a casual day couple of days a week and the weekend.doing patient in jeans is not easy to do to much bending and having to get in the shower room just not good to do patient care in some stree cloths.scrubs are in more then the white uniforms now.

At the last hospital at which I was employed, every pay-day was casual day. There were guidelines such as no short-shorts or open toed shoes with out pantyhose or any t-shirts advertising alcohol, tobacoo or foul language. We were required to wear our name badges. On the days that I chose to wear jeans and a t-shirt, I wore a white scrub jacket and my name badge. Usually though, rather than risk ruining my good pair of jeans, I wore scrubs that were not part of the color scheme that the nurses at that facility were allowed to wear. That way I still looked like a nurse. I think that having a casual dress day lightens up the monotony of wearing scrubs. I never once had a negative comment from a patient or family member and I woprked at this facility for 3 years. :) :)