How many uniforms should I buy?

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Hi,

Can anyone tell me how many uniforms I should buy for the first semester of the nursing program or maybe how many you go through in a week? Is there any other supplies I will need more than 1 of?

Thanks

My school "requires" that we buy our scrubs either from the bookstore or from their associated scrub company. They are really low quality and the pants have a drawstring waist only. They are "galaxy blue" pants and white tops and must be that exact color. However, there are several companies that make galaxy blue pants and white tops can be found anywhere. I intend to get Cherokee Workwear.

We also have to pay $4 each for our patches but as far as I know, we do our own sewing. Or they might be iron on, I haven't gotten them yet.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med/Surg, hospice.

My school suggests you buy 2 sets of uniforms and and a lab coat, but you really only 'need' the one set. My school has a deal set up with a local scrub company and we can pick from several style tops and bottoms as well as coats, they just all have to be this specific teal blue/green color. The store does give us students a small discount which was nice. I ended up getting two sets (and a lab coat) just for laundry purposes and I also got two different styles in the tops so I can change it up from time to time. I think two sets would be a good amount for a standard nursing program.

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Specializes in interested in NICU!!.

i bought two sets.

we have two clinical rotations a week for eight weeks, and i think two sets of uniforms is enough.

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How many days of clinicals do you have per week? I have 2 clinical rotations per week, so I bought 2 sets of scrubs, and then 1 extra "emergency" set to keep in the trunk of my car (just in case I need to change mid-way through a shift). Also, the extra set gives me a little wiggle room if I can't get to my laundry when I need to.

I also bought a couple long sleeved white shirts to layer underneath my scrubs since I'm always cold during the winter.

They said this will vary by semester, but 2 days a week to start out with. The labs that we are going to have also require us to wear our uniform... so 4 days a week. I was thinking about 5 pairs because I never know if I will get something on one of them and need a back up, but they are just sooo expensive! How often did you get something on your scrubs in clinicals? Ive tried looking on places like craigs list to see if anyone's selling theirs and so far I only found 1 person, but in the wrong size.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

5 pairs seem excessive for a student, IMO. Those labs don't last all day and I don't recall ever getting anything on the scrubs. We just had to wear them to "look the part." Get 2-3 sets and launder them in the middle of the week and you should be good to go. I had only one set for the past two semesters (we only had one 12 hr clinical rotation) and that worked fine. I bought another one since I have two clinical rotations this semester.

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As a senior in a nursing program, I believe two nursing uniforms would suffice. I found that gave me enough time to wash them in between clinicals. Good luck with nursing school.

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I made it through school with one set. I couldnt afford to buy more than one, they were expensive but were of good quality. I still have them!

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We have specific school scrubs, but I purchased mine on craigslist from a couple different people to save money. I purchased one pair of pants new so I would have three sets. I also purchased my lab coat from craigs with school logo. I start with clinicals twice a week, but like others said in case the wash didn't get done or something happens to a pair then I am not out. I read on an "embarrassing" what happen to you type website where the student bent over and the pants split. If you have only one set and that happens or you get some horrific stain on it...I don't know....I guess I don't want to risk not having something to wear. Also, I figure I will use them for two years every week so worth it even if I did have to buy new. I just opted to check craigs and save money. I also thought if I had to go in to clinical and practice on a not clinical day then you would need to wear the scrubs.

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Specializes in None Yet.

The program I'm attending requires us to to wear scrubs during class/labs, and then we have class 5 days a week. So I plan on getting at least 3 colored pairs of scrubs for class.

After that, we have 2 full weeks of clinical for the first semester, so I'll be getting 6 pairs of white scrubs, so I'm safe for the week. I'm a huge worrier and I don't want to leave myself hanging with white scrubs. I can see some not so white stains in my future :p.

I also plan on getting some white, long sleeve shirts to wear underneath. I tend to get cold in the hospital, and I just prefer to have something underneath the scrub top.

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Specializes in I will be starting in Nursing homes.

I am only a CNA but my clinicals start next week I have 3/week on a 8hr shift. There is a local scrub shop that has great prices on scrubs 30 for a set. And if you ask me for the name brands that is a really good deal. I am getting dickies I think from the school I am going to. They are only paying for 1 set. So I am hoping that they don't get that dirty in one shift. But I did get lucky the NH I am working at for clinicals is right across the street from my house. So if I get real messy at the end of my shift I can just run home and change. But i am stuck in the dirty scrubs till the end of my shift lol.

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For CNA, we were supposed to get two sets of scrubs but I only got one. CNA clinicals are too temporary to spend a lot of money on and the scrubs are a hideous teal green that I will never wear again. Actually, they've already been donated to the thrift store.

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Specializes in I will be starting in Nursing homes.

Lol @ crazier...

Our scrubs are navy blue so I think if I don't need them for work they are going to be at home scrubs. I am just drawn to those big pockets. (can't ya tell i am a mother of 2) And I got really comfy scrub pants. They are men's but works for me. I have the hardest time tryig to find any pants that are long enought for my legs. Drives me mad. And these fit like gloves.

On a side note. I got t.e.d.s for swollen legs because it was soo hot this summer does anyone thing I should wear them while I am on clinicals and working? I have noticed my feet go down a lot when i am walking and standing but ballon up when I sit. Another reason why I wanted to be in the medical field. I cannot stand sitting for 8 hours. I have to be up and moving a lot! If I stop I get bord then I quit. And I am guessing that will not happen when I start working.

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