Fun question: Do you wear rings on the job?

BadBird, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2003

I don't wear any rings, too much handwashing and glove wearing that would catch. I only wear my watch.

oramar · Aug 11, 2003

no rings, no jewlery, no fake nails, I have read the infection control studies, when I get home my shoes go in box in garage, don't come upstairs with them, clothes go in hamper by door

nurse51rn · Aug 11, 2003

I just wear my watch; infrequently wear wedding band. I spend too much time washing my hands...don't like the thought of what I might bring home to the family.

nurse51rn · Aug 11, 2003

Oops...that sounds like I'm obsessive-compulsive about handwashing. That's not what I was trying to say! I hope you all know what I meant. LOL

Berta · Aug 11, 2003

ok, dumb question here.. I am start school in Sept, so I not familiar with the handwash policy. I only wear my wedding band , do I have to remove it to wash each time???? I think it'll have to be cut off, it hasn't been off in a really long time. I don't think it would go over the knuckle.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 11, 2003

Our policy is that you must remove the ring(s) in order to be sure you are rinsing all the soap off.

I don't weat a wristwatch, i have the kind that pins to my shirt. Too much of a risk of scratching a pt., or busting the face out of it.

bedpan · Aug 11, 2003

The policy in our school for clinicals is the only ring that can be worn is a plain wedding band (infection risk), No false nails and your nails must be cut short enough that they can't be seen from the palm side (infection risk and risk of scratching pt) and only one pair of small stud earrings allowed (in case pt gets a lil' "rowdy" and grabs hold of a dangling earring - always that possibility in dealing with a LTC pt) - each of these had the reason explained so there were no complaints from any one

RNforLongTime · Aug 12, 2003

I wear 4 rings. My Bridal set, this is the ring which I received on my wedding day so as far as I am concerned, no other ring is acceptable. I also have a 3 stone diamond ring on my left middle finger. On my right hand ring finger, I wear the ring that my parents gave to me as a college graduation gift and on my right middle finger I wear a ring that my Dad gave my Mom the day I was born. It's a simple band type ring that says love on it. I received it as a gift for my 16th birthday and haven't removed it since.

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Aug 12, 2003

No jewelery below the elbow for me.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Aug 12, 2003

I have 5 rings I wear on a daily basis, wouldn't choose to wear them all truthfully, but the weight has crept on and they won't come off!!!!!

altomga, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN · Aug 12, 2003

Okay, I must admit I do wear my rings at work...

Honestly though, I got married and in my mind those rings were placed on my finger on that day and were not meant to be removed!

I do also wear a wedding set my greatgrandmother left to me..and in her words..."they were meant to be worn; not stashed away."

I take special care to wash my hands and use anti-bacterial (purell) on my hands and always wear gloves. I frequently take extra care to clean my rings also, but I just can't NOT WEAR THEM.

To me it is more of a personal thing. Yes I know the infection studies. If I worked in NICU I might have to greatly reconsider; but as it is I work on an Adult Intermediate floor.

My facility does not have a policy on wearing/not wearing rings. Just not to wear an obnoxious amount of jewelry which I do not. My rings, necklace and earrings.

I would check the policy where you will be working and your school rules (which by the way I did fight when in college to wear my wedding rings. I do not have a plain gold band. I WON!!

rreed · Aug 12, 2003

nope, I don't wear any rings at all

but I do work with people that wear 2 or 3 on every finger

would you want their germie hands coming in and taking care of you