Dressing up on Halloween... unprofessional?

pinksugar · Oct 31, 2010

We don't have to act like everyday is miserable and somber, IMO. We decorate our unit for the holidays, are allowed to wear Halloween costumes if we wish, etc., and a great many of our patients and their families really enjoy it. Most people get a big kick out of the holidays and appreciate when others try to do things like decorate, bring holiday spirit, have festivities. I resent the fact that as nurses we are expected (by some) to act depressed and somber all the time. When my grandmother died in the hospital it would not have bothered me to see someone in a costume, the unit decorated for the holidays, etc. In fact those things might have added some clarity to the situation - that life will go on and that things will be okay again. I would have found comfort in seeing a beautifully decorated Christmas tree or a Halloween costume, because those are parts of traditions that make me (and many others) feel good. I think that some people are just too full of themselves. Just because I am sad or upset over something doesn't mean that the world has to stop turning. The world doesn't revolve around me.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2010

We are given free reign.

However, we consider that since our patients are waking up from anesthesia and are often confused and scared, waking up to a ghoul or a vampire might enhance an already negative experience.

kesr · Oct 31, 2010

I know I'll be labeled an old fud - but I do not think costumes have any place in any workplace. Ccostumes are for parties. I don't appreciate a waitress in a wolly dinosaur suit, or the grocery clerk as Raggety Ann. I worked in an office where some of the women actually went desk to desk trick-or-treating. Grow up already!

But I do like hoilday decorations, and as I said before, wearing something little - earings, pins, headbands, even holiday sweaters and scrub tops are my idea of fun. But leave the costumes for off work.

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Oct 31, 2010

I think it depends on the costume and the setting. Something cutesey and easily removable? Sure. Put on some bunny ears and paint on a few whiskers. Where a festive scrub top. Why not? If you have to give a family bad news, the ears and paint can quickly come off. Or, wear a witches hat or something. A full costume? No. I work psych, so you have to be really careful about what to dress up as. I stick with a festive scrub top, earrings, etc. I don't want to confuse the already confused even more.

aussiemom · Oct 31, 2010

Staff on our unit last year purchased matching "Happy Halloween" t-shirts with festive skeletons on them. We decorate seasonally, and our patients enjoy the warm atmosphere. Though we take seriously what we do, we try to keep the mood light.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2010

i know i'll be labeled an old fud - but i do not think costumes have any place in any workplace. ccostumes are for parties. i don't appreciate a waitress in a wolly dinosaur suit, or the grocery clerk as raggety ann. i worked in an office where some of the women actually went desk to desk trick-or-treating. grow up already!
but i do like hoilday decorations, and as i said before, wearing something little - earings, pins, headbands, even holiday sweaters and scrub tops are my idea of fun. but leave the costumes for off work.

much respect to your opinion. however, a cheery costume never hurts anyone. grow up? sometimes being like a kid makes the patients happy, especially the little older sweeties or the little kids who, no matter how bad they feel, can always let themselves be kids.

i say as long as the costumes are appropriate and fun, go for it! this bah-humbug feeling is for the birds....

leslie :-D · Oct 31, 2010

this bah-humbug feeling is for the birds....

...keeping in mind, that many folks suffer from the "bah-humbug" blues, this time of year...

from halloween through new year's.

as with everything else in life, moderation (and discretion) is key.

leslie

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 31, 2010

As I was leaving this morning, everyone on day shift was coming in wearing scrub pants and t-shirts that said Happy Halloween on them. I thought it was a nice touch, festive but not ridiculous.

whodatnurse · Oct 31, 2010

...keeping in mind, that many folks suffer from the "bah-humbug" blues, this time of year...
from halloween through new year's.
as with everything else in life, moderation (and discretion) is key.
leslie

That is quite an excellent point. For MANY...Halloween (appropriately enough) is when all those 'ghosts' from Thanksgivings past begin making their annual appearances.

Cmariehart · Oct 31, 2010

I'm sure I'll get it for this so here I go:

Halloween is my fave holiday out of all of them!!!!!

When I worked @ the nursing home I decorated the unit and dressed up...

Every year I was something different... The patients and the families loved it.

And yes I did have to deliver bad news to a few families on Halloween dressed up.

No one ever gave me a hard time about it...

Now that I work in a cardiology office I still decorate our office...

I brought in a life size automatronic zombie and everyone took their picture with him...

I say celebrate!!!

No matter what you're gonna **** someone off...

flyingchange · Nov 1, 2010

Firstly, a very happy Halloween to all American members.
I think the USA is the only country that recognizes All Hallows Eve as a holiday, so the question of "costume or not?" is uniquely yours.

We boring Canadians enjoy Halloween too :)

pinksugar · Nov 1, 2010

...keeping in mind, that many folks suffer from the "bah-humbug" blues, this time of year...
from halloween through new year's.
as with everything else in life, moderation (and discretion) is key.
leslie

Honestly I try my hardest (and succeed) to ignore those kinds of people. I absolutely refuse to let some Ebenezer Scrooge ruin my holiday cheer. This is a wonderful, magical time of year for many people (my personal favorite time of the year runs from October 31 to January 1) and it can be wonderful and magical for those 'bah humbug' people too if they would get over themselves and get into the holiday spirit.

Bad things happen to everyone. Why let those bad things ruin the holidays forever? I do not understand that and I will not buy into it. I have lost people I love, crappy things have happened to me, etc. I still enjoy the holidays and spread cheer at my home and workplace.