Gel Nails

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I know that this may seem like a trite topic, but our local hospital has just created policy that gel nails are unsanitary and has banned their use. It seems to me that gel nails aren't much different than regular nail polish, other than it lasts much longer/looks better. What's the general consensus on whether or not gel nails are unsanitary/inappropriate for the workplace?

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Anyways, can't you just remove the nail polish before going into work?

One of the reasons people choose gel nail polish is because it is meant to last 2+ weeks without any chips or peeling. It costs $15-25 to have it applied. Application takes 30+ minutes. And it's not as simple as "just take it off" - removal is a 30+ minute process that involves soaking the nails, scraping them clean, etc. So unless you were going to be away from work for 2 weeks, it wouldn't be logical or realistic to just wear gel polish on your days off.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, CMSRN.

After reading this thread... I'll be honest, I've never really thought about the subject much. I've gotten maybe 1 professional manicure in my life and have done the rest myself. I usually do my nails every 2 days or remove the polish for work. I've been paying attention though. I was admiring a manicure of a tech THREE weeks ago that is still present. Not sure how safe that is. Apparently, no one inspects to ensure the policy or enforces it, because... that cannot be real nails. It's still beautiful, and even if she did get it filled in or gelled over, likely, most bacteria have died and are gone. She's maintained it. I have to give her that much. As much as this slightly grosses me out, the hospital curtains that I brush by EVERY time I have a patient gross me out more. Maybe we could just focus on relevant issues instead of nail polish ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

To why this is even an issue if there is a policy in place: because I like healthcare improvement and would like the facility I work for to use EBP. I like to know if there is an infection control issue specifically for this type of polish since it is relatively new and cured to the nail to harden and increase durability.

I recently just had my nails painted with gel polish while on vacation. Although my facility allows regular polish that is not chipped I usually don't bother with regular polish at all on my fingernails because its usually chipped day one.

This is what I have learned from the experience:

1. There is no "fake nail" applied, it is painted over your real nails

2. Each layer is hardened to the nail by uv light (which is also used to kill bacteria in other settings)

3. The tip of your nails is painted with each coat to prevent a crack between your nail and the polish.

4. The final coat is wiped with alcohol to set (which seems to me would make it more durable to alcohol based hand sanitizer)

5. To remove the polish you must file the tips of your nails to create an opening for the solvent then soak your nails to remove.

I imagine with proper care this polish could actually be safer than regular polish as it creates less opportunity to harbor bacteria. Since I have very thin and sharp fingernails the gel coat actually makes it less likely that I will accidentally scratch one of my patients which happens rarely but is enough of concern to me that I started to keep nail files in my bag to touch them up when i rarely have a moment.

I haven't read this entire thread yet because I became appalled that someone suggest that we should just blindly follow a hospital policy and not further our own education. Not all policies are best practice and I can tell you right now Nurse's have been thrown under the bus for not challenging bad policies.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
To why this is even an issue if there is a policy in place: because I like healthcare improvement and would like the facility I work for to use EBP. I like to know if there is an infection control issue specifically for this type of polish since it is relatively new and cured to the nail to harden and increase durability.

I recently just had my nails painted with gel polish while on vacation. Although my facility allows regular polish that is not chipped I usually don't bother with regular polish at all on my fingernails because its usually chipped day one.

This is what I have learned from the experience:

1. There is no "fake nail" applied, it is painted over your real nails

2. Each layer is hardened to the nail by uv light (which is also used to kill bacteria in other settings)

3. The tip of your nails is painted with each coat to prevent a crack between your nail and the polish.

4. The final coat is wiped with alcohol to set (which seems to me would make it more durable to alcohol based hand sanitizer)

5. To remove the polish you must file the tips of your nails to create an opening for the solvent then soak your nails to remove.

I imagine with proper care this polish could actually be safer than regular polish as it creates less opportunity to harbor bacteria. Since I have very thin and sharp fingernails the gel coat actually makes it less likely that I will accidentally scratch one of my patients which happens rarely but is enough of concern to me that I started to keep nail files in my bag to touch them up when i rarely have a moment.

I haven't read this entire thread yet because I became appalled that someone suggest that we should just blindly follow a hospital policy and not further our own education. Not all policies are best practice and I can tell you right now Nurse's have been thrown under the bus for not challenging bad policies.

THIS is the hill you want to die on? Challenge hospital policies if they're unsafe for the patient. If new evidence suggests that Foleys left in place longer than your hospital's policy lead to higher incidence of UTIs, challenge that. But gel based nail polish? That wouldn't be a fight I'd want to have.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is how I look at it...I never do anything around a patient anyway without gloves, so I think it's ridiculous. Unless they are going to come after you with a bottle of nail polish remover, they are not going to know if you have regular polish or gel nails on anyway.

I'll worry more about it when they ban physicians from entering isolation rooms without PPE, stop them from wearing neck ties, or even better: Not allow patients FROM isolation rooms to roam the halls and get food from the cafeteria salad bar.

No, not even kidding.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

5. To remove the polish you must file the tips of your nails to create an opening for the solvent then soak your nails to remove.

To clarify, you don't use nail files your nails grow out or if you have a rough edge? Wouldn't using files in between manicures also create the opening where bacteria as well as solvent can get in?

I haven't read this entire thread yet because I became appalled that someone suggest that we should just blindly follow a hospital policy and not further our own education. Not all policies are best practice and I can tell you right now Nurse's have been thrown under the bus for not challenging bad policies.

Seems to me there is a pretty big difference between nurses who blindly follow policies which may result in patient harm from those who follow policies from which there can be zero patient harm.

I understand the thinking that we should not blindly follow policies just because they are there, but it you are going to become angry or indignant about that and therefore want to choose a policy to replace shouldn't it be one where patient care is improved? No patient has ever been harmed by someone following a No Fake Nails or No Gell Nails policy, lol!

If you want to take on an HR policy because you feel it infringes on the employees' rights that's a different thing. Be prepared to provide all the evidence that will be needed to convince your Infection Control Department that they should abandon their current policy and see where that goes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
This is how I look at it...I never do anything around a patient anyway without gloves, so I think it's ridiculous. Unless they are going to come after you with a bottle of nail polish remover, they are not going to know if you have regular polish or gel nails on anyway.

You don't do ANYTHING around a patient without gloves? I think I am around the patients without gloves far more than when they are on but then again I am old school and was taught old school approaches. There's another thread somewhere here about many newer nurses who won't even touch a patient for the simplest things without gloves on.

I think it is very sad for some of our patients, I for one will not hesitate to use my hand to hold someone's hand or touch a shoulder in comfort unless there's something oozing from one of those areas! Yes, my bare hand on actual skin. I can always wash. Patients should not be subjected to constantly being separated from human touch by vinyl but that's just my thing I guess.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Nothing beats short, clean, unpolished nails in nursing. Not only do I want to protect my patients, but I also wish to protect my family and myself. I don't want to bring anything harmful home and I have lots of pets. I don't want to bring anything from them to my patients, either.

It's much easier to keep such nails very clean. And I do a lot without gloves; holding hands, hugging, gentle touch. If it does not involve body fluids or exposure to pathogens, I won't wear gloves. Patients need human touch. CLEAN human touch. And short, clean nails look much more professional.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment