how do nurses wear nail polish?

Nurses General Nursing

Updated:   Published

hey guys! so I'm a nursing student and worked at my hospital in patient transport for a year and I am now a nursing assistant in the ICU. when I worked in transport I noticed this but even more when I started in the ICU as an aid because I use hand sanitizer CONSTANTLY before I go into a room after each room and theres over 20 beds so when its time for sugar checks I use a whole lot of hand sanitzer. since the sanitizer is basically alcohol it destroys your hands and nails (especially if you have nail polish on) the polish will get sticky as all hell and basically come off and due to the tackiness of the polish then you get fuzz stuck to your nails (not cute). I have stopped wearing nail polish now but I noticed like all the women nurses wear normal nail polish and they dont have this problem.

Do you girls wear nail polish?

If so, does yours become tacky and gross?

I have sooooo much nail polish and have tried this with many different brands and it happen with all them pretty much. I know this is kinda a silly question but I am just wondering haha.

1 Votes

Simple, this woman doesn't wear nail polish to work.

My health authority has banned artificial nails as an infection control risk. Yes, some wear them but can be disciplined for it.

Frankly by the end of my rotation of shifts, my nails are the lowest concern on my list. I'm more worried about the rough red handskin from the sanitizers and frequent washings.

I've never heard any of the women I work with mention sticky, tacky nailpolish when they've forgotten to remove it before coming to work. I actually know of one unit, where the Nurse Manager keeps a bottle of nailpolish remover for staff who have left it on and come to work.

1 Votes

I love nail polish, but only on my toes!

1 Votes

due to documented evidence of increased risk of infection, real nurses who do patient care do not wear nail polish or acrylics. no nail polish or acrylics in patient care. try not to swoon over this.

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care, Education.
grntea said:
due to documented evidence of increased risk of infection, real nurses who do patient care do not wear nail polish or acrylics. no nail polish or acrylics in patient care. try not to swoon over this.

LOL! maybe this should be given greater emphasis in the information provided to folks who think that nursing is their ideal career goal... it might weed out the kardashian crowd

1 Votes

I was trying to head off the inevitable crying and moaning. being a mean biter and all lately, you know.

1 Votes
Specializes in Oncology.
meghan91 said:
hey guys! so I'm a nursing student and worked at my hospital in patient transport for a year and I am now a nursing assistant in the icu. when I worked in transport I noticed this but even more when I started in the icu as an aid because I use hand sanitizer constantly before I go into a room after each room and theres over 20 beds so when its time for sugar checks I use a whole lot of hand sanitzer. since the sanitizer is basically alcohol it destroys your hands and nails (especially if you have nail polish on) the polish will get sticky as all hell and basically come off and due to the tackiness of the polish then you get fuzz stuck to your nails (not cute). I have stopped wearing nail polish now but I noticed like all the women nurses wear normal nail polish and they dont have this problem.

do you girls wear nail polish?

if so, does yours become tacky and gross?

I have sooooo much nail polish and have tried this with many different brands and it happen with all them pretty much. I know this is kinda a silly question but I am just wondering haha.

any employer that I have ever worked for has always discouraged nail polish and acrylics. in some places it isn't allowed at all. this is for obvious sanitary and safety reasons.

1 Votes
Specializes in retired LTC.

"nuff said"

1 Votes
Specializes in Med-Swing/Rehab.

Real nurses don't wear nail polish to work? What crap is this?

I have not worn nail polish in a few months (too lazy to paint them).

NEVER acrylics though. (:

*dung* on poster who insulted a lot of nurses. ^

1 Votes
Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

Yeah, I don't wear it either, lol. But, I have a CNA that is a farmer on the sides, the Infection Control Nurse has fits with! He could grow potatoes under them, Yuck! I have told him 2nd time this week to scrub'em good! Embarrassing for all parties.

1 Votes
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I am not sure "real" nurses is the right word but perhaps "conscientious" is. I have heard but never seen studies done that it is a known infection source, so I don't wear it to work.

1 Votes
Specializes in LTC and School Health.

Since I'm a total girly girl, I do wear nail polish. I get gel manicure. The gel polish does not chip like regular polish does. It lasts for 2-3 weeks ( no chipping). Even though I wash my hands a thousand times a day the polish is still shiny. Best 40 bucks I've ever spend.

1 Votes
+ Add a Comment