Graduating w/ only 1 pair of scrubs

[Beldar_the_Cenobite]

I plan on going to CNA school soon and they're only giving me a pair of scrubs. 1 dark blue top and 1 gray bottom. I was told by a clerk at a uniform store that a travelling nurse she deals with directly says she has different colors for different hospitals. I never thought hospitals gave a damn about the color scrubs you wore so as long as they were clean and you showed up to work on time with what you know you're supposed to have and to do your job.

I don't know where I want to work when I graduate. A hospital that pays CNA's really good requires CNA's to have a year of experience at least. That leaves me open to any facility. The VA doesn't hire CNA's I don't think. Scrubs(I think) are a bit pricey. I thought a top could go for $5-10 but nope. A store here in Vegas sells tops ranging from $30-50 and I'm a college student. I don't have an employer that will give me a stipend for uniforms or a discount for the store. What the F.

I thought about working for Maxim but because I'm not even in CNA school they really didn't give me the details on what I should expect as I contract for them(scrub colors, stethoscope requirement, etc).

When you guys graduated CNA/LPN, or Nursing school, how did you buy what you needed when money was tight? Is it true that anything you buy for your job(pens, scrubs, watches, stethoscopes, etc) can be written off on your taxes?

[FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN]

Wal-Mart has scrubs for cheap. So does Family Dollar, but I don't know if they are out in Vegas.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Not every place dictates what you wear. Some places you can wear what you want.

Maybe be in a physician's office. One that is independently owned by that physician. Every hospital and even the LTC facilities around here have a dress code. The reason for it, is evidenced-based practice. It's patients have a better understanding of who is who if they are color coded.

I just feel the OP is not quite understanding that normally there is a dress code at each facility. And if this rule makes him say ***, he is in for a shock.

[DeeAngel]

Every place I have every worked color coded their employee scrubs. Do not buy anything until you have a job and know what you're supposed to wear.

[cocoa_puff]

Once you have a job and know the color requirement, check out Goodwill or Amazon (natural uniforms brand seems to be inexpensive). You can often get a pair of scrubs for about $11 -$17.

[martymoose, BSN, RN]

just echoing the others:

buy online, or walmart.

wait until you have your job. most places I know of color code their staff- pt/ot wears blue, nurses white, respiratory green( how appropriate)

never heard of anyone getting a stipend or discount.can claim on taxes , but the amount you would have to buy makes it not worth the bother. i believe in nys its like 3000 dollars or something

[~Shrek~]

You wear whatever your facility asks you to wear. You don't get to wear what you want. I'm curious as to what made you think any color of scrubs was ok. Have you been to either a hospital or LTC? Most places color code their employees. Except in peds. They can wear kids tops.

You were given a pair of scrubs? Consider yourself lucky. I bought every pair in school.

Does it really matter if you can write it off on your taxes? Lol. I guess guy can write off $40 for a pair of scrubs. And yes, I said $40. Where can you get $5 scrubs?? I want to know where your research led you tomorrow that.

Goodness gracious, what a callous and harsh comment to an innocent question. Every employer I have ever had let me wear whatever color scrubs I want, except for one, and they reimbursed me for the scrubs I bought to wear at the facility.

And I have gotten pretty cheap scrubs at wal-mart. I got a pair on sale for about $5 for a top and $8 for pants, I think.

[~Shrek~]

I don't get a stipend for scrubs either. Did you dream all of these assumptions? A uniform stipend??? Hmmmmmm, would be nice.........

One of my employers reimbursed me for scrubs I bought. It's not all a dream...

[~Shrek~]

Maybe be in a physician's office. One that is independently owned by that physician. Every hospital and even the LTC facilities around here have a dress code. The reason for it, is evidenced-based practice. It's patients have a better understanding of who is who if they are color coded.

I just feel the OP is not quite understanding that normally there is a dress code at each facility. And if this rule makes him say ***, he is in for a shock.

I worked in a hospital, and they let you wear whatever color scrubs you wanted as long as it was professional. Stop being judgmental and harsh. Good grief.

[Irish76]

I've worked in 2 large hospitals and 1 LTC and I've been allowed to wear whatever I want. I wouldn't buy anything until you have a job and know what the dress code is. If you are able to wear whatever you want buy a few pairs of scrubs that you can mix and match.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I would definitely wait until you are hired to buy uniforms. Previous posters have already mentioned that some places care or don't care about the color and where to find them cheap. Another thing to consider is if they require you to buy them through a vendor to verify they are the right type of material and that you bought what is required (Yes, you read that right). Even though the antimicrobial material scrubs can be bought at different places, I've heard that some require them purchased from a specific vendor and paid via payroll deduction. The cost? 20-30 dollars a piece is what I've seen.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

All the hospitals I worked at had stated color requirements for scrubs. I was never lucky enough to receive reimbursement, though scrub stores often give a discount if you show your employee ID.

Now I work at a stand alone endo facility and prn at a plastic surgery OR. Endo requires a certain color scrubs, OR doesn't care. Neither offers stipends or reimbursement.

[ItsThatJenGirl, CNA]

The hospital that I hope to work for not only has a specific color for scrubs, but they also have a specific brand they require.

I also have to buy the scrubs for my school, also specific colors/brands.

Though ages ago, I worked for a hospital as a CNA and they provided the scrubs - you just brought them back to be laundered. That was really nice.