I need two people to respond to this question about nurses and attire.

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I'm doing a general survey for one of my nursing classes and I need the input and opinions of 2 adults in regards to nurses and their attire.

Do you prefer a nurse wear:

-Starched white uniforms

-Street clothes with a lab coat

-colorful print scrubs

Choose one and give me the rationale behind it please. Also, if you don't mind, state your age as well as this factors in to the survey.

Thanks.

Specializes in Psych/CD/Medical/Emp Hlth/Staff ED.

While all white uniforms on women nurses imply "nurse", I've noticed that when men wear all white it seems to imply "psych-ward orderly".

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Specializes in OB, L&D, NICU, Med-Surg, Ortho.
While all white uniforms on women nurses imply "nurse", I've noticed that when men wear all white it seems to imply "psych-ward orderly".

When I worked med-surg and we wore white, our pts seemed to think a male nurse in all white was a Doctor for some reason.

But I like the psych ward image better.

:yeah:

~Sherri

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

I'm 44,...started out in a white dress, white hose, white shoes and those very uncomfortable caps. Now I prefer solid color scrubs,.not pressed but not obviously pulled from the hamper. I am a college educated professional and unless you work in peds Sponge Bob isn't appropriate attire!

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Specializes in Emergency Room, Step-down Unit.

I work ER. Every job has a specific solid color. Nurses are in hunter green. That's my preference, too. I look like the Michelin Man in white. :)

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Im 45, My scrubs are ironed (not starched) everyday. White makes me feel like a nurse, and I either wear white pants with a solid color top, or colored pants with a white top. Im not a flowery person so I never wear prints, but I do like to wear long sleeved tees that match. I work in LTC and the Residents tend to think that everyone is a nurse :) but most of them LOVE that I wear white all the time and that my clothes are pressed.

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Specializes in ER, cardiac, addictions.
While all white uniforms on women nurses imply "nurse", I've noticed that when men wear all white it seems to imply "psych-ward orderly".

Or "ice cream man." :clown:

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I am with everyone who said it depends on the setting. I am a school nurse in an elementary school, so I happily rock the colorful print and cartoon scrubs. Today it is Tinkerbelle ;) My goal here is to ease the fear that many of the little ones have of nurses.

If I was working in a high school, I would go with something commanding respect and professionalism, so probably dress casual with a lab coat, or solid scrubs with a lab coat.

If I was working an adult unit at the hospital, probably solid scrubs or dark colored pants and a white top (I hate the look of solid whites, but I love how a tailored white scrub top looks with navy or royal blue bottoms...that screams "nurse" to me.

If I was on an LTC floor or other geriatric setting, I would probably go with whites or the white top look described above. I read somewhere on here about a nurse who goes all out with the white scrub skirt and hose and even the cap when she works Sundays or holidays...I love that idea.

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Specializes in Med Office, Home Health, School Nurse.

I'm a 24 year old elementary school nurse. I wear lots of bright colorful tops with a range of different color scrub pants. Today I'm wearing a top that is covered in a geometric square design in turquoise, pink, green, white, brown, and yellow with solid brown scrub pants.

The kids favorite scrub outfit I wear? My pink and green frog print top with my lime green scrub pants--always good for a smile!

I don't do cartoon characters (I think I have one top like that, and it's Precious Moments--"Snow one loves you like I do" and it's covered in the little PM kids with snowmen and snowflakes)

Other than that one, my tops are animals, flowers, or bright designs.

I have just about every color of scrub pants imaginable....PLENTY of options when I get dressed in the morning!

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Specializes in Med Surg.

I prefer dark solid colors for the most part. I do have a set of burnt orange scrubs with a couple of white logos on them. Thought about tossing them a couple of days ago but I guess I'll give them another try this week before I put them away for another year.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

none of the above

solid color scrubs are neater looking. Prints are childish and diminish the professional appearance. White gets dirty quickly and is as outdated as a nun's habit. Street clothes are not professional enough either, IMHO. I am referring only to hospital nurses doing direct patient care

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Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.

No part of a uniform should be required to be white. Unless the hospital is going to shell out the $$ every few weeks for fresh whites. They show stains too easily and I shouldn't have to jump through hoops on my day off getting the stains out.

Cartoonish prints are OK if you're in peds.

I like plain-colored scrubs, and there are some attractive prints out there I wouldn't mind wearing.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

ER. 51. Wear colorful print tops, black pants" Get lots of complements. Those who are on the "its too childish", well, I disagree. Don't do cartoons out of personal preference, but the ones I've seen you actually have to stare at to really see cartoons, otherwise it is just a mass of colors. Patients have told me they appreciate the patterened tops I wear. The one with the frogs, that as soon as I made it (yes I sew my own), my son said "Mom! those are poison dart frogs". It has opened up some very interesting conversations! Which incidently puts my anxious ER pts more at ease.

Childish vs. professionalism comes first and foremost from your demeanor, attitude and the respect you give your people, staff or patient. :twocents:

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