Professional in scrubs?

[Kora0880]

Hello,

I just flipped through the April AJN and came across an interesting article r/t history of RN uniforms. An interesting point was made, that although new scrubs are cheaper, easier to take care of and maybe more comfortable there is a big problem with them: We all look alike, nurses, PCT/CNA, respiratory techs, housekeepers, etc. Patients have a difficult time distinguishing among healthcare professionals, and so do we.

Personally I do believe we should go back to nursing uniforms-it's a great tradition, maybe aside from the cap :chuckle We are professionals and our uniform is our singnature, after all if we respect it others may too. Now don't get me wrong, I do not wish to be looking like Florence, but a new, professional, clean cut design would do it for me. (Maybe that's why I'm going to the military? :rotfl: )

What do you think?

[LauraLou]

The hospital I work at also has each department wear a different color scrubs, RN's navy blue, PCT's maroon, etc. It does make it easier to tell who is who, but it still looks like everyone is wearing pajamas. The doctors wear a shirt and tie or dressy outfit with a lab coat. It makes them look much more professional than everyone else in scrubs.

I agree that white dresses are not practical but I do think there could be some type of professional looking outfit that would make RN's standout from PCT's and Housekeeping. In order for people to see nurses as professional health care providers not doctors' handmaidens, we need to look the part.

[orrnlori, RN]

I'm trying but I'm not really sure what you are asking. Not necessarily white, not necessarily dresses, okay, then what? You can't get any group of people to decide on where to go to eat dinner, how are you going to get millions of nurses to agree on one uniform for everyone, tall, short, thin, fat.

By the way, I think the ladies in the link look great, but that's the military, not civilian life. I don't really know what you are thinking but maybe if you explain more I'll get it.

[mitchsmom]

I would freak if I had to wear a dress and hose everyday (I probably wouldn't as a matter of fact), but I do think there should be a readily visible way of determining who is who in a hospital. A badge doesn't do it. When you are a patient and someone is on the other side of the room you can't just jump up and read a badge. Even if the person is close to the bed, if you are in pain and sick and woozy on drugs you are barely going to be able to tell if the person is blond or brunette much less feel like deciphering their position. I always feel awkward trying to get close enough to read a badge anyway. I would feel weird if I looked at, say, a housekeepers nametag and then what, just walk away like "nevermind, not what I was looking for"? So I feel like I should just speak up and ask the person but then you end up walking around asking who people are all day. My husband was in the hospital for 8 days a few years ago and it was totally annoying to not to be able to distinguish - you just really don't feel like any extra negatives when you are already dealing with pain or sickness or whatever. I just think coding it somehow is an easily fixable situation to make things a little easier on people.

[Kora0880, BSN, RN]

I'm trying but I'm not really sure what you are asking. Not necessarily white, not necessarily dresses, okay, then what? You can't get any group of people to decide on where to go to eat dinner, how are you going to get millions of nurses to agree on one uniform for everyone, tall, short, thin, fat.

By the way, I think the ladies in the link look great, but that's the military, not civilian life. I don't really know what you are thinking but maybe if you explain more I'll get it.

ORRNLORI Just a general idea of a uniform (see post above you, someone got it) that would make us look more professional.

PS Pictures are there just to give an IDEA, NOT an IDEAL. Military is military, civ is civ, but just to compare, military nurses indeed look more professional than pijama-style-scooby-doo or sponge bob scrubs.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

If someone wants to make sure that those whites STAY white, and crisp FOR me, then i'll wear them. Till then, laundered and put on a hanger is going to have to do, because i am not spending my off time playing dry cleaner just so someone thinks i'm professional. They'll see professional when i'm at work in clean clothes, freshly showered, and acting professional.

[Energizer Bunny]

I prefer the comfort of scrubs and think they look fine.

[brinaa]

how about we dress in causual with some sort a jacket dotors do it and i think every one has there own way they dress,just make sure dr and nurses has color coded badges:rolleyes:

[nurseunderwater]

how about we dress in causual with some sort a jacket dotors do it and i think every one has there own way they dress,just make sure dr and nurses has color coded badges:rolleyes:

I think that this is a great idea....yet i shudder to think of betadine and blood on my clothes....This would be expensive for me to do.

At the same time....I also think that scrubs look like pj's....I like the wrap scrub tops w/ collars...They look crisper to me.

[Kora0880, BSN, RN]

how about we dress in causual with some sort a jacket dotors do it and i think every one has there own way they dress,just make sure dr and nurses has color coded badges:rolleyes:

woudn't want poop on my own clothes, sorry

[FutureArmyNurse]

Many previous threads on this topic.

So what?

[Lilnurse0803, RN]

I speak only from the heart and imagination since I am waiting (4 weeks to go and counting) to hear whether I got accepted into my school's clinical program. NOTE: I have not read the article, therefore, I am answering this blind.

With respects to nursing uniforms, I personally think that scrubs make the best work clothes. Nurses have a messy/physical job so the appropriate clothes would be comfortable and practical. I personally love cotton scrubs and feel that they are comfortable, allow for movement and look decent with sneakers. I would hate to be in dresses and stockings at work again. This is the reason I am leaving the corporate world. I know that there are many who prefer different and I respect that, but I prefer scrubs.

Just a tidbit from someone who knows very little for now (Watch the nasty remarks for those whom are tempted)

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I only wear stocking on three occaisions: funeral, wedding, or church. As if underwear going places that it shouldn't was problem enough, then to deal with pantyhose that can't decide if they want to fall down or cut off circulation to my feet? Ick.