Have you ever worn scrubs off the job?

[Wanna_BA_Nurse]

I really want to be a nurse, and when I see people in scrubs I assume they are nurses (but this is a stupid thing to do on my part) and I wave at them or say "thanks for helping people" or "we need more people like you.".

Has anyone said anything to you? If so, what?

[biblepoet]

Only if I am going straight to work afterwards. I do not think they are that fashionable. I have ran an errand on the way to or from work then you will catch me in my scrubs.

[CanuckLPN73]

As a nursing student I am always told that If we are caught wearing our scrubs to the hospital or after we are in BIG trouble. It is a big infection control thing at my Hospital, you must come and leave in different clothes. Just not your scrubs. I think most people get away with not changing their footwear except in the winter.

Let me know what you guys think. If my instructors are insane or it is a good idea and good nursing practice.

I will wear my work scrubs to the store fast, however for school scrubs I may wear them to stop for bread as I am not about to drive an hour home, change and then an hour back for bread or something. However we are not allowed to run around town in our school scrubs. As I was concerned our instructor said, buying bread is different than going to a bar (not professional at all).

As with shoes...its a good idea to change them as you dont know what your stepping in at work!! Aways either leave your workshoes at work or put them in a bag and wear your reg shoes out of your place of work!

[yousoldtheworld]

If I have to run an errand quickly, sure. I don't wear them on my days off, though - I don't find them particularly attractive, and it's nice to wear regular clothes once in a while.

As for the shoes, I do wear my shoes back and forth except in winter when I wear snowboots. I take my work shoes off at the door just like I do my other shoes. It's true that you don't know what you're walking in at work, but then again, you don't know what you're walking in ANYWHERE outside of your home. It's just not something I worry about much.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

I don't wear scrubs in public unless I have a coat over them. During the summer when I'm out without a coat I change in the hospital before going out in public.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I wear my scrubs in public: that is, before and after work--I don't randomly go around wearing scrubs if I'm not working that day. No one has ever bothered me.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

we don't have a place to change into and out of scrubs at work, so yes, i'll wear them in to work and on my way home. if i have to make a stop, i'm wearing my scrubs. if i'm going to stop for a drink after work, i'm wearing my scrubs. i'll leave my nametag off, but i'm not driving 45 minutes home and 45 minutes back to spend half an hour having a drink after work! that said, i don't ever wear them unless i'm on my way to or from work. the child has a pair of her father's old scrubs that she wears to sleep in -- she thinks it's "cool." i just made sure they were washed three or four times on "hot" before she got them!