uniforms are killing us

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 14, 2003

Originally posted by baseline
I don't mind most of the uiniforms, as long as they are neat, not wrinkled and stained.

Long uncontained hair, excessively long fingernails , and too much jewelry makes me cringe.

I agree 100% with this post. We need to stop picking on individual uniform choices and address these TRULY unprofessional traits of certain nurses/ancillary staff. NOTHING turns me off MORE than perfume, cigarette smoke smells, long nails, loud hair and rude behavior. NO Uniform can cover up for that sort of unprofessionalism or make it worse, IMO!

sjoe · Mar 14, 2003

jane writes: "don't judge me on my tigger scrubs. let my professionalism do the talking."

Most people who see you don't follow you around and keep track of your professional activities. They judge you, immediately, by what they see. The same is true of all of us.

White or PLAIN colors are much more professional (except, perhaps, in peds) than any prints, cutsey or not.

Dangly earrings, more than one ring, bracelets, perfume, little teddy bears on shoelaces or belts, long nails, long hair that isn't "up," excessive makeup (on men OR women nurses), anything "fancy" or "flashy" is completely inappropriate at work (unless one is a roving floor nurse in a Vegas casino, perhaps).

It's little wonder people (the public, patients, docs, supervisors, AND hospital administrators) think we are a bunch of ditzy airheads, given the combination of our roles on television shows and these kinds of dressing habits that scream "I'm a decorative, silly little thing, not to be taken seriously."

night owl · Mar 14, 2003

Well I must say, I wear solid color tops with white pants and a flower type print jacket, & no teaddy bears...I need the pockets! And of course white shoes. I work in LTC and that IS their home. I don't feel there's a need to look totally white professional in that type of setting. If I were to work in a hospital, then I would wear all white. The Vegas floor nurse can keep the nails, the 25 bangle bracelets along with the 3-4 necklaces. I only wear my watch, a wedding band and one ring on my right hand. The make up? Well, I don't cake it on, but I can't go without any either...{sigh}

sheric · Mar 14, 2003

It doesn't matter to me what the other nurse is wearing. Who are we to judge someone about what it is that they are doing? Because someone where's a Spongebob" top to work it doesn't mean that they are incompetent. It means that they are comfortable with who they are. I am a R.N. as a career choice. That is not who I am as a person. So, for those of you who forgot that you were a human-being, get a grip. Wear your white and stop juding people. Because, what ever you speak in this lifetime will come back on you at the time that it counts. AFTER YOU DIE! So, take it easy, don't have a heart attack because someone else sees their profession as one to uplift their patients in what ever way they see fit. We are all individuals and you can't take an individuals choice away. Obviously the facilities have grown with the changing of the times. I'ts about time you did too. I'm not saying that what anyone is saying is wrong. what I'm saying is if everyone has the right to be their own person. You don't see all the lawyers,accoutants,and dentist looking exactly alike. Yes the dentist may have on a lab coat. But what he has on under that isn't exactly the same as his partner. We belittle ourselves, we don't need anyone else to do it. I don't know what people you are going around that believes nurses are incompetent. With my family and friends when there is a problem who do they call? ME. If people are saying to your face that nurses are incompetent, they can only speak on what they see. You must be the incompetent one. Don't put your faults on someone else. Also, don't be apart of the problem, be part of the solution. One last thing, when I say "you" I'm not talking about everyone, i'm only talking about the ones that feel that particular way. I know I'm going to get attacked I'm used to it because I'm a nurse and thats all we know how to do. Belittle other nurses. We have "little man" syndrome.

Repat · Mar 14, 2003

Oh, sheric, I don't think anyone posting was saying that people who dress differently are unprofessional. I think the main thrust of the argument is how are we perceived by the public. First impressions do matter!

RNonsense · Mar 14, 2003

I agree about hair...who wants a big long hair stuck in their dressing?? I agree about nails...didn't everybody do the pretend "germ" wash in nursing school where you stuck your hands under the light?? Ditto for jewellry...germ thing there. Clothing/uniforms though don't bother me as long as they are clean and tidy.

allnurses Guide · Mar 14, 2003

To each their own . . . . life would be pretty boring if we all dressed the same.

We have one nurse (male) who wears scrub tops that his wife makes and they all make his co-workers and patients smile (Hershey's Candy Bars, Coca-Cola, Vintage Cars). One of our CNA's makes her own tops too and wears Denver Bronco stuff and has recently made a John Deere Tractor top. I've never heard a patient complain. In fact, they love it. Great conversation starters.

Now, I wear navy pants, white top and a white or navy jacket . . so I'm more conservative.

I wonder about what the relationship between those of us here who have tatoos, tongue piercings, multiple holes in ears, multi-colored hair and those of us who dislike the "unprofessional" image of printed tops? Do the more adventurous tongue-piercers hate printed tops and think they look unprofessional? Or is it just the opposite? hmmm.

mattsmom81 · Mar 14, 2003

I can understand pedi nurses wearing the colorful print scrubs for the childrens' sake...it lightens the atmosphere.

One DON I know mandated the nursing staff to wear whites again. Her reason was is she wanted to recognize the nurses...and wanted the public to know who the nurses were amongst the lab techs, housekeepers, etc...everyone else in the place that also wore scrubs.

Can't argue with that. No problemo...when I do agency work at this hospital I wear my whites. (minus cap) :)

MishlB · Mar 14, 2003

Originally posted by ladyjane
i don't agree at all. i do work peds, and wear all kinds of print tops. they are clean , no stains, and wrinkle free. it's the nurse inside the scrubs that makes the impression. if people are shallow enough to not look past that, then sorry. i get complements from parents, grandparents, and other visitors, (all adults i might add) that say how refreshing it is to see something fun on the nurses. just as nurses don't make judgements on the pts. appearance as far as lifestyles, don't judge me on my tigger scrubs. let my professionalism do the talking.

I don't think it's about being shallow, but I have seen uniforms that looked like hell...I don't care if there are cartoons or flowers or whatever, but they could at least be clean and pressed. (I grew up watching my Dad iron everything and it made an impression on me! Yes, I even use starch...I know, I know, it's the military in me)

As far as the who wears what...I don't agree with housekeeping wearing the same type of uniform as the nurses, that's all. It just gets confusing.

WalMart_ADN · Mar 14, 2003

my neighbor told me once my closet looked like the disney store threw up in it. yes, i have spongebob scrubs. Kick me off the board! i also have tigger and pooh, mickey, tinkerbell, rubber ducks, dinosaurs, turtles, ladybugs, bob the builder, bugs, blues clues, and assorted loud hearts, stars, and other crazy things.

but the kids just love them.

and you should SEE my collection of pens.

baseline · Mar 14, 2003

Yes, but Wally.....do you WASH them!!! (Just kidding!!! Don't everybody get dysentery!!! )

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Mar 14, 2003

We have to wear white pants and print tops or jackets. We wanted to go to solids, but the colors we wanted were taken by other departments...the only colors left were this nasty peach and an ugly blue!

As long as the person looks neat and tidy, who cares what she has on?