Do you wear rings?

[SBJustBreathe, ASN, RN]

I'm starting an ADN program this Fall and I do not want to wear my wedding rings to clinical. Don't want to risk losing a diamond or having it rip open a glove (or getting caught in a glove and accidentally thrown away). Not to mention the bacteria it may harbor.

If you don't wear your rings, what do you do with them during clinical??

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

1. Leave at home is best bet.

2. Put on SECURE chain around your neck.

I've been a nurse for >20 years in several settings. For our 30th wedding anniversary, I asked my husband to have my wedding ring from our 25th anniversary redone into an anniversary band. Now all my diamonds are flush with the setting and I wear it along with a plain gold band 24/7.

[shay&lynn, ASN, RN]

Leave it at home.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Leave it at home. Or you can do what I did and get a "fake" ring to wear to clinical/work. This is what I have:

Angelina's CZ Pinky Eternity Band Ring

It says it is a pinky ring but I have teeny tiny fingers so it fits on my ring finger just fine.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

I wore both my engagement and wedding ring to clinicals, and I continue to wear it to work. It fits tightly enough that I don't have to worry about it slipping off and there are not much evidence to show that rings harbor more bacteria than any other area of your hand/body, provided you're practicing adequate hand hygiene.

According to the purchase agreement for my rings, as long as I get them inspected by the jeweler every six months, I will be fully covered for any lost stones, damage/etc.

If I knew I was going to a place where I couldn't wear jewelry (at my clinical sites this was NICU and OR), I just left it at home in my jewelry box. That's definitely the best place for it if it's not on your finger.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

As an ED nurse and the danger of catching the setting on the rails. I too bought a "good" CZ enternity band so I had sparkle and NO fear.

[Pneumothorax, BSN, RN]

1. Leave at home is best bet.

2. Put on SECURE chain around your neck.

I've been a nurse for >20 years in several settings. For our 30th wedding anniversary, I asked my husband to have my wedding ring from our 25th anniversary redone into an anniversary band. Now all my diamonds are flush with the setting and I wear it along with a plain gold band 24/7.

I love this idea :) I am only engaged, but when I collect as many precious gems as you I'll keep this in mind

[VictoriaMareah]

Hello, This is something I have also thought about as I start this fall!! The idea about getting a CZ band is just awesome! Thanks guys!

One of my friends only wears her wedding band. She also said sometimes she wears her engagement ring on a necklace- I thought about doing this too, but there is still a chance it could get lost which would KILL me. My ring also fits secure, but I think I'd rather have it safe at home... time to start looking for a nice CZ band

[Dottie, RN]

At clinicals, I would only wear my plain wedding band, & leave the ring with the diamonds at home. I saw some girls wearing the whole thing, but I was always afraid of scratching the patients.

Once I start working, I'll be doing the same...wear only the band.

[amoLucia]

Wearing a necklace can be a problem - I do know of real times when it was snatched (think babies & getting snagged in the stethescope around the neck.

Either wear it and do real good thorough handwashing or leave it at home. School and facility dress codes will tell you also.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i wear my rings all the time. i've thought about leaving them at home when i went for surgery, but our home was robbed a few years ago and all the jewelry i wasn't actually wearing at the time was stolen. so that's it for me. i'll wear my rings or let my husband wear them around his neck. no leaving them home.

[ImKosher]

I'm thinking about replacing my wedding ring with a titanium ring. I may get a necklace and put it around my neck. I'm not sure yet. I don't want to ruin my ring