How many pairs of scrubs should I purchase initially?

[loveoutloud]

I am officially done classes (yay!) and have four exams to go for my classroom based part of school. In January, I will begin my 12 week practicum on a surgical floor. How many pairs of scrubs do you own and how may do you recommend purchasing to start with? I will be working 12 hour shifts, usually 3 days in a row with two days off. Would 5 be a good number?

[zeus&lincoln]

Some people, myself included are scrub hoarders... Therefore it is difficult to pinpoint an exact number. Don't you have to wear your school uniform during practicum? ... I wouldn't overdo it with purchasing scrubs because some units and hospitals have specific colors so when you graduate and find a job, you may have to purchase a bunch more.

[redhead_NURSE98!, ADN, BSN]

I am officially done classes (yay!) and have four exams to go for my classroom based part of school. In January, I will begin my 12 week practicum on a surgical floor. How many pairs of scrubs do you own and how may do you recommend purchasing to start with? I will be working 12 hour shifts, usually 3 days in a row with two days off. Would 5 be a good number?

Four. Never know when you'll get a different job where that particular color of scrubs won't fly.

[TU RN, DNP, CRNA]

Three, for the number of days I work a week as a RN :)

[loveoutloud]

no, we can burn those white scrubs:)

[AlphaPig]

I work 3 12's a week and have for years and I own 3 sets of scrubs. I have owned these same 3 sets of scrubs for 2 years. They are Grey's anatomy scrubs and even after a million washes still looks great. We have to wear the same color so I have no incentive to buy more until these fall apart.

[tech1000]

I own 4 but I only wear 3. I don't like the pants of one of them because the elastic is bent over, but even when I work tons of OT and work 6 shifts in a row (not all 12s), I just wash them after I wear the 3 pairs.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

It depends on how often you want to do laundry. I had a lot of scrubs when I worked in the hospital because I only did laundry about once/month.

[schnookimz]

I would get 2-3. Nice scrubs are expensive and you may not wear these in your regular job.

[loveoutloud]

thank you for your responces!

[Cobweb]

I always kept a set of scrubs in the trunk of my car, and one in my locker, if you have a locker. Sometimes, bad stuff happens :)

[Glycerine82, LPN]

Enough to get you through a stretch (3 12's) and one extra to keep in your locker. ;-) You'll be glad you have that extra pair, trust me!