Do you wear rings?

newbtonursing · Jun 16, 2012

Yes...Good idea with the necklace. You may want to be sure it is a strong necklace though, such as a solid rope chain or a heavy Figaro type chain, since some rings are heavier than others.

I think if I am not able to use a necklace, I will likely keep everything except the band at home.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jun 16, 2012

[quote=>JustBreathe

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

You really should check with your school to see what their policy actually is. My school did not allow ANY rings, with the ONE exception of a plain--no stones, no engraving whatsoever--wedding band. Leave it at home.

If you had a diamond ring, it was to be taken off prior to your arrival at the clinical site. Anyone not in compliance could expect to be dismissed from the clinical that day; twice and you were discharged from the program.

Needless to say, NO ONE failed to comply, myself included. My wedding band has diamonds in it, so I went without, until one day I saw a plain gold band on sale and decided to buy it. It was rare that I wore it at all, since I became a Germ Queen pretty quickly and didn't like the idea of sporting hospital-resistant microbes under the thing to take home.

So I got out of the habit of wearing them in the hospital during school and when I started work, I didn't go back to it. I save my rings for my time off, and leave the variety of germs I encounter at work...at work. I now work in an ASC, and STILL don't wear the rings.

Oh, and as an FYI: my school also did not allow necklaces, as they were dangerous when in proximity to the confused patient, a yanked stethoscope, whatever. They ALSO didn't allow any earrings except for a single stud in each ear: no hoops, no dangles, nothing but a lone stud. That went for the men, too

simonemyheart · Jun 16, 2012

I only wear my wedding band - no engagement ring. It works out okay for me. I feel lost without something on my finger.

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 16, 2012

I left all jewelry home on clinical days except the watch. No rings, earrings, necklaces...no anything. The watch is a beater that I don't care if it gets damaged as it costs all of $9.

Now, I leave all jewelry home on work days except the watch. I'm as much at risk of jewlery-related injury/glove tears/loss/etc. now as I was during clinicals. Better half understands as he also works in a job where wearing jewelry means inviting potential injury. Still wearing a beater watch, but a different one that cost a little more than $9.

Summers_Off · Jun 17, 2012

I leave my diamond at home. It has a really high setting and putting on those paper thin, stuck together sterile gloves is a joke. I have a plain thin band that I wear to clinicals. It was dirt cheap at the time and we bought it so I wouldn't be worried about losing my ring in the ocean on our honeymoon (I know someone that happened to!). Sure has come in handy now. When I graduate and start working I may treat myself to blinged out band because I can never wear my diamond to work. :no:

aachavez · Jun 17, 2012

Necklace may be a bad idea, per my school dress code no necklaces allowed for the same previously mentioned reasons.

If it fits you properly, I wouldn't worry about it falling off, my concern with rings is when they get caught on gloves (which I have had happen, its kind of a pain) and they tear. If it's a smaller setting that won't snag on stuff like that, I'd say wear it. I do like the eternity band idea, or even wearing a simple gold band while at work.

Katie71275 · Jun 17, 2012

We are not allowed to wear any rings/jewelry at clinicals.

rubato, ASN, RN · Jun 17, 2012

I'm wearing my whole ring. It's connected anyway, but our clinical instructor said we could. I was also broken into at home once and lost everything we had, car, electronics and all my jewelry including a $10,000 emerald ring.

thrn30 · Jun 17, 2012

I never wore rings, braclets, or fake nails. I left my rings at home. With the constant hand washing, etc, it was useless to keep them clean, and i didnt want grems harboring in or on them. IT is a hygienic issue, even more today, than when i started ( 30+ years ago). Just leave them safely at home.

Patti_RN · Jun 17, 2012

My biggest fear is losing jewelry; taking rings off and losing them is probably much riskier than wearing them. If your rings are somewhat flat and don't have settings that stick out (and can either catch on something or scratch a patient) you might try putting a piece of surgical tape around your ring and finger. It'll keep your gloves from ripping, and you won't be wondering where you left your ring. Make sure to use tape that doesn't leave glue residue and that you change it OFTEN!

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Jun 17, 2012

I used to get a larger safety pin and thread it on and pin it on the inside of my pocket. Now I can't get mine off... Fat fingers LOL

VictoriaGayle · Jun 17, 2012

I love my engagement ring, but it is much to large (I wrap string around it to make it fit) and I'm sure I would loose it during clinicals, as it was a pain in the butt at work...plus I don't know if we are allowed to wear jewelry.

I'm afraid I will loose it if I keep it at home.

I also don't want my fiance to feel hurt by me not wearing my ring. I only take it off to fix the string and I've had it for about a year now...it will feel odd to be ringless.