Fake Nails on Nurses, Yay or Nay?

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I was just wondering what everyone thought about nurses having gel or acrylic fake nails. There are a few girls on my unit that have them. I wanted to know what people's opinions were or if your unit or place of work has a policy about them.

~Jes~

(sorry all i don't know how to make a poll on here.)

It is a moot point as to what someone thinks about them. Both JCAHO and OSHA have banned them for those having direct patient contact. So it is not even a choice to be made.

And if there is a surprise visit to the facility, and they have to pay a fine for those that have acrylic nails, and it is not a small sum; you will see people looking for work more than likely.

This is not something that is being taken lightly. What is done in a nursing home in one thing; but in an acute care hospital, there are rules that need to be followed, and if broken for what ever reason, there are fines that need to be paid. Simple as that. And if you get fired for it, you will not have any thing to back you up as it was documented in black and white at your facility. And they can fire you for the same thing, if they chose to.

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Specializes in Diabetes ED, (CDE), CCU, Pulmonary/HIV.

As stated by Suzanne above, no artificial nails for people who provide direct pt care, and real nails no longer than 1/4 inch.

Some of our housekeeping staff have some duzies though. Nails about 2 inches. Some molded into form of dolphin. Really gross!

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I think we should keep our nails short because it is better for the patients. Sometimes I where fake ones when I am running late. I always wash my hands and my patients love me

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A black light used to see germs with the naked eye? I'm not sure WHAT was seen under the black light, but hard to imagine it was microbes!

Okay maybe i should rephrase.. where there is still dirt, bacteria, or whatever you want to call it.. your hand turns a flourescent yellowish color and it is usally around the nailbeds!

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Specializes in midwifery, NICU.

Whatever nails you have, if you are nursing anyone, nails should not be longer than the fingertips.Check out your hand from the palm side to see.

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I personally have very thin nails, they split and peel and curl up on the edges. They look and feel awful. I've tried all kinds of "treatments" without much sucess. And I work in a "no fake nails" policy place, therefore my split, peeling and bloody mess is what I have. Once upon a time I had falsies (LOL) and kept them up weekly, they were short and smooth and always clean. Even with the dirty nail horror stories, I know they were cleaner with washing and glove wearing than those people who don't wash, now that's gross! Ah well.

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Okay maybe i should rephrase.. where there is still dirt, bacteria, or whatever you want to call it.. your hand turns a flourescent yellowish color and it is usally around the nailbeds!

Oh, ok...LOL! I had images of microscopes becoming obsolete in favor of 1960's -era room decor! :)

I'm not sure I'd really want to look at people's hands under that light...had a patient the other day who came in with FECES visible under his long nails.....ick.

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Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

NAY!Breading ground for bacteria. I might even as for a different nurse

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We recently had a nurse get fired for this very thing. She got several reminders, but refused to lose the fake nails. So now she's looking for a new job.

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nay, unsanitary

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Specializes in trauma, ortho, burns, plastic surgery.

I don't and I didn't wear fake nails, I don't have big nails also, not nail polish...is for me and my contacts health protection option so I don't like them that's all!

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.
I personally have very thin nails, they split and peel and curl up on the edges. They look and feel awful. I've tried all kinds of "treatments" without much sucess. And I work in a "no fake nails" policy place, therefore my split, peeling and bloody mess is what I have. Once upon a time I had falsies (LOL) and kept them up weekly, they were short and smooth and always clean.QUOTE]

I totally hear you on this. I think my own nails are just like yours, and probably inherited from my mom. If I had a quarter for every person who has told me I should do this or do that, to correct the problem, I'd be wealthy. When I wore acrylics, I kept them short, clean, (taking violin lessons so they couldn't be long) and I never had brittle, cracking, bleeding cuticles or nails. Not the case now. I know what the studies show, but I find it difficult to see how my current nail condition is any better than it was. I'll do what I must, but at some point should the big picture be viewed? Just one of my own personal soapboxes...

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