Dress Codes for the ER

TexasPediRN · May 2, 2008

The dress code in our ER is all black..

I think its slightly morbid...

Navy and white are my colors for pedi, although we are allowed to wear a pedi friendly top with either white or navy bottoms.. :nurse:

I do agree, white shouldnt be anywhere near the ER... however, since its a PRN job, you do need to abide by their rules and just suck it up and wear the white top..sorry!

NicuGal, MSN, RN · May 2, 2008

In my hospital, that would get you written up and then mostly likely terminiated for violating dress code, pretty gutsy for a newbie. Can you wear a jacket over the top?

elkpark · May 2, 2008

Yes, you're "just being difficult." :) The facility is within its rights to have and enforce a dress code for staff. Your choices are to abide by the dress code, or, if it is really that much of a problem for you, find another place to work.

mandasueRN · May 2, 2008

At our hospital all nurses have to wear white--tops and bottoms--even in our Level I ER where I work. Needless to say I have to replace my uniforms every so often once they get so yucky that bleach or stain remover can't help anymore. Good luck trying to buck the system--after years of pleading we haven't been able to change the dress code at our facillity. :banghead:

rjflyn, ASN, RN · May 2, 2008

This might work- I worked at one facility that had a policy to replace damaged uniforms that occurred as part of standard job duties. So if they have to pay for enough white scrub tops they might change their tune. SO if you are requesting reimbursement for scrubs weekly you never know.

Beyond that I would be always wearing a isolation gown over the top.

RJ

RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P · May 2, 2008

I totally understand that, and that is cruddy, but not being there full time they probably wont care what one person has to say, not even mentioning that you are working prn not a ft position.

totally not trying to be rude or offensive.

but on the brighter side, you could wear a gown all the time, whether it be plastic or the fabric ones. though that could get hot too! esp in er! and you could still email/a letter all the time, i know it can get expensive.

GL with that!!

-H-

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · May 2, 2008

I'd look for another job if I had to wear white- I get that dirty.

sjt9721, BSN, RN · May 2, 2008

It could be worse...they could require all white. And like other have pointed out: it's just PRN.

You can find bigger hills to die on, I'm sure.

RedSox33RN · May 2, 2008

I was just having this conversation yesterday with a patient of mine, who is a retired RN, but started at the facility I am at now about 45 years ago. She asked if our scrub colors meant different things - like blue for RN's, color's for Paramedics, etc. They don't, but I can see how it's confusing for everyone to be wearing scrubs, even the UC's. She said they had to wear all-white dresses and stockings, with caps. But they knew a nurse from a doc from an "orderly" as she called them.

But can I see white in the ED? Nope. I had to wear white bottoms when I was working LTC, and even that was a joke. If I had a dime for every time I've had to go to the locker room and change into new scrub bottoms (yup, they provide the one-size-fits-no-one blue ones), I'd be very wealthy!

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · May 2, 2008

Hey my fellow nurses,
I have a quick question/complaint....I just started at a new PRN position in the ER at a hospital in St Louis. They have a dress code for RN's. Okay....but it is white shirts and navy bottoms. White? in the ER?
The last time I wore white in the ER, a drunk pee'd all over and I had to go change...
I mean....what about activated charcoal? I know it will stain dark as well as white, but it can be hidden better....
I told them, I will not wear white.....I am going to see how far this rebellion gets me!!!
I do have a beef with dress codes!!! But, if it wasn't white, i would prolly go along!!
What do you guys think? Am i just being difficult?
Brandie:nurse:

You bring up a good point. But urine and activated charcoal stain all uniform colors. And I wouldn't want to wear something that's been pee'd on no matter what color it is! One person "rebelling" is considered "insubordination" - better to follow the rule and see if your coworkers can all petition for a new color scheme. I don't think that getting a clean scrub top from the OR when you get something on your top will get you a reprimand though.

Good luck with your 'grassroots' effort though.

Blee

Wendy_RN · May 2, 2008

Our colors are white, navy, or charcoal. White is definitely not the best choice for the ED, but I do wear it some to coordinate with the other 2 colors and for a change. I would love to have black and red as options, but I do not foresee that happening anytime soon. I do not think that rebelling is a good idea, especially as a new PRN employee. I am sure others there have already voiced their opinions. Your rebellion will most likely not result in any change in policy and will only reflect poorly on you.