Halloween

Schmoo1022 · Oct 20, 2009

We have always done it at my fall facility. Everyone and I mean everyone dresses. The residents love it. As long as you are able to do your job, pretty much anything that isn't disrespectful goes.

JB2007, ASN, RN · Oct 20, 2009

Most of the resident's like it when the staff dresses up for halloween. I think it breaks up the routine for some of the residents. I think it is ok as long as the costumes are appropriate. You could even have the residents judge the costumes and make it part of a party. Some of the staff could even help the residents who wish to dress up to do so. It could turn into a lot of fun.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Oct 20, 2009

Yes, we've done that at every other facility. I think I'm going to have to have a long talk with the new guy.

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Oct 20, 2009

we can't wear costumes , but i am wearing some kitty ears...

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2009

Every year my small rural southern home town has a big Halloween carnival/parade.

And every year, several churches/people write derogatory letters, discussing how it demonstrates satan's evil among us.

CathyLew · Oct 20, 2009

it depends on where you work, the dress code, and the costume. If you work in the OR, wearing a grim reaper outfit isn't fitting.... anything to do with death is probably poor taste in a hospital. and you should still have plenty of identification showing who you are and what your job is. or be extra careful announcing it. Maybe the hosp could hold a holliday inservice about this type of thing. What costumes are appropriate, what are not. How to still identify yourself.

I wear holliday scrubs, but have always worked in a clinical setting. Now that I am in an office, I am tempted to just wear holliday scrubs or shirt, and a witches hat. something that could be toned down quickly if the circomstances change.

I mean really, if you have a loved one that is critical, do you want a bunch of clowns working on them. :jester:

but I do think it should be mandatory for all LAB people to dress like vampires!!!

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Oct 20, 2009

I worked on a very busy sub acute unit. I always met my new patients at the elevator. It was Halloween and I was dressed like a bumble bee...stinger...antenae...wings. The elevator opened ...the patient didn't appear to notice my costume. His wife, however said "A bumble bee???? A bumble bee is going to take care of my husband with his 3 IVs, TPN, and a new trach????" I almost said BUZZZZZZZ..but I said, "Don't worry..it'll be fine." The man was there for months. He ended up recovering fully and walking out. When he left his wife said thank you. It doesn't matter what we wear as long as we can do our jobs.

I've been through a state survey last day dressed as a giant Hershey's kiss. It's not about anything but the residents.

rapkeygurl · Oct 20, 2009

you know that is a bit crazy not to dress up for halloween. What happened to all the new "cultural awareness" is that not a big custom in the USA?? I usually go dressed up and make a great MISS PIGGY have the curly blonde wig and all lol. We even let the employee's children come in and the residents sit at there doors and pass out candy for the children. They love it!!!

roser13, ASN, RN · Oct 21, 2009

While it's all fun and good to be able to dress up on Halloween, I wouldn't consider it a deal-breaker if I couldn't.

You gotta pick your battles..........

alyssa1975 · Oct 21, 2009

Some of the Docs where I worked didn't like it because they thought it would confuse or upset the pts. with dementia.

teeniebert, LPN · Oct 21, 2009

My facility throws a huge party on the 29th or 30th--everyone dresses up and kids come in for trick-or-treating room to room. No costumes on Halloween proper, but a lot of staff members do little things. One of my aides said she'd be wearing her devil horns, 'same as last year' and I said to myself, '***, this is a CATHOLIC facility!' I'll most likely wear black scrubs with some spider/spiderweb accessories and call it good.