Fake Nails

[Coloradogrl]

I was talking to a friend of mine that is a LPN in LTC and she asked me if I wanted to go to get my nails done and I told her I couldn't because of school and she then sort of snickered and said that its was silly that they dont allow you to have them in school because every nurse she knows has them:icon_roll

I was just curious if you have them or the other nurses in your unit do.

TIA :)

[ptadvocate81]

Hospital policy at my facility as of about 2 years ago- No fake nails for direct pt care people. You may wear polish, but it must be "in good taste"and not chipped.

[ToxicShock]

Fake nails = germ heaven.

I wore acrylic nails when I was in high school. I took good care of them, I washed my hands all the time and I bathed daily. One day, I noticed they were growing out so I made a mental note to get them filled when I had time. I remember itching my nose, and I smelled something foul. Turns out, it was my nails! I soaked them off when I got home, but I was able to pop a couple off before hand. I smelled the nail that came off as well as my own nail, and sure enough...

Fake nails are disgusting. I took damn good care of mine and they STILL got gnarly. No way would I have them, especially as a health care worker!

[beachbutterfly]

We are not suppose to wear our hair down but we also do so go figure...

[Southern Fried RN]

I did a paper in microbiology about long/artificial nails and infections. I can't recall details now (story of my life) but there were infant deaths due to Staph in the midwest that were traced directly to a nurse's artificial nails. We aren't allowed to have them while in school anyway, but afterward I will never chance it. I already worry about inadvertently doing something that could hurt a patient! I could never forgive myself if it boiled down to my fingernails.

I recall reading that article, I seem to remember that it was about a NICU with an outbreak of Pseudomonas. Several neonates died. It was traced back to nurses with long natural nails and artificial nails.

My hospital banned all artificial nails years ago---any type of acrylic, gel, overlap, wrap, whatever are not allowed if you have any patient contact or a service that provides patient services. That included housekeeping, dietary, laundry, and pharmacy. The policy prohibits natural nails from being longer than 1/4 inch past the fingertip.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

That included housekeeping, dietary, laundry, and pharmacy. The policy prohibits natural nails from being longer than 1/4 inch past the fingertip.

Did it include doctors?

[Dottie, RN]

The nursing school I applied to doesn't allow any type of fake nails, and nails can only be no more than 1/4" in. over the tip. IMO, it should be like that in every health care facility and that rule should apply to EVERYONE who has direct patient care...including doctors. The thought of someone with those things taking care of patients just grosses me out...YUK!!

[AOx1]

I hate to say it, but not only are fake nails icky looking, but expensive, and a great way to get a fungal infection if the salon is not meticulous. And, of course, as others have mentioned, they easily pass germs to others.

I give myself twice weekly manicures and buff them- they look quite shiny as if I am wearing clear polish, but of course, I'm not :) I buy a 4-way buffing block from Sally beauty.

I am really picky about them and only file them with a glass file (and file in one direction only or they will split). I also moisturize 2x a day with haken cuticle oil (any Sally beauty supply will carry it). I keep them filed fairly short- just barely to the tips of my fingers) and wash my hands and clean under my nails all the time with one of those little blue things that come with scrub kits at work.

I do get a lot of compliments on them. If your overall health is good, natural nails should be easy to maintain in an attractive state. I used to have really thin, splitting nails until I started this routine. I also wear nailtiques formula 2 to strengthen my nails on my days off, the remove it prior to going to work.

I guess it is just my own bias, but whenever I see scary long nails (fake or real) I recoil. Especially on a health care worker or a restaurant employee!!! That and people who let their children sit on the hospital floor just gross me out beyond belief.

[nisha109]

I am a surgical tech/RN student. When I had acrylic nails,(was in a wedding), my supervisor made me take them off right then. Talk about painful, but she would not let me scrub in until they were off.

[Southern Fried RN]

Did it include doctors?

Unfortunately not because they aren't technically employees of the hospital. They are also exempt from the hospital's ban on Crocs. Unfair but the administration can take a stand against them to do things that promote the interest of infection control for patients.

[Coloradogrl]

Unfortunately not because they aren't technically employees of the hospital. They are also exempt from the hospital's ban on Crocs. Unfair but the administration can take a stand against them to do things that promote the interest of infection control for patients.

This is just wrong but the sad thing is there really isn't anything they can do you would THINK they would want to comply for the interest of the patients

[DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Long nails and nursing = disgusting.

...and unprofessional.

[country mom]

We are not suppose to wear our hair down but we also do so go figure...

There's another good thread. I SOO do not want my hair touching any surface or patient. I never could figure out why these girls would let their hair flop all over getting into who-knows-what. Also as a patient, I would totally get grossed out if a nurses' hair flopped in my face. It's just icky.