I think cutsey scrub tops look ridiculous on adult units

[AZO49008]

The other day a co-worker strolled in wearing a scrub top festooned with furry, smiling teddy bears. On an adult cardiac floor...REALLY? On various adult units I've seen Looney Tunes, Precious Moments, rainbows and clouds, hearts, and yes...oodles and oodles of teddy bears.

I think these types of scrub tops look ridiculous unless you work in peds, in which case they would all be highly appropriate. On one hand nurses are striving to be taken seriously as professionals, yet with the other hand they are taking juvenile looking scrub tops off the hangar.

I'm a guy and pretty much have to wear solid scrubs if I don't want to look like a freak. But I am not motivated out of jealousy to kvetch about print tops on the ladies. If women want to pizazz up their uniforms, I have seen tons of very tasteful, very professional looking print scrub tops coordinated with solid pants.

If I were director of nursing of the world, I would ban dorky print scrub tops.

Okay...talk amongst yourselves.

[Alnitak7]

I think it depends what type of unit you're working in.

I like the plain uniforms they wear in the E.R. They're tranquilizing.

However, in other units, I don't think floral patterns are bad and I don't think any old

uniform with a pattern or design on it is bad.

A good fashion consultant will tell you that some people look better in flowery tops or a top with a pattern.

Even though I usually despise images that belong in the third grade, a lot of them don't offend me in the geriatric

unit. I think Teddy Bear patterns and hearts and stars are pleasing to look at.

I also appreciate some people who like to dress in a solid color.

[NICUdude]

*****, If I actually had one!

For the record, I have no butt, and an ACL reconstruction using a slice from the center of my patellar tendon has made me seek any knee-friendly footwear I can find. After seeing many nurses in my hospital wearing the MBT's, and after my preceptor explained that they were the only shoes that helped her knee problems, I decided to try them myself. As I have said in the past, I am an active sort, run, bike, swim, fish (stop sneering, the wrists really get a workout, LOL) etc. I like the shoes for their comfort. My feet feel good, my knees feel good, and I do not walk around for 12-15 hours at a stretch making a "fist" with my glutes. So there, and to quote my new friend, "Nanner, Nanners."

I have looked in the mirror, and for the life of me, cannot find an orifice to speak of, but that was the case well before the shoes, so I can neither confirm, nor deny those claims. I have always found that the quickest way for ME to lose weight when I wanted to, was to run, run, run. Just because they call them "Shape-ups" does not mean that we all believe such nonsense. Believing that shoes will make one thinner or more fit is like believing in colon cleansers, acai berry beverages, and "Smiling Bob." There is a reason Bob wears a Santa hat in those commercials, but it is NOT because a pill will make you dream of sugar plums and then suddenly wake up and find something you did not have before waiting for you under a Xmas tree. Sorry boys and girls. And no Virginia, there really isn't a "Bob." (Stop sneering again, I did NOT buy the pills, or the cleansers! The beverage made my wife constipated, and two bottles were the price of four good bottles of red wine, WITHOUT the known health benefits, or the buzz.)

PS: Nice to see that censorship is alive and well on this (adult?) site. This post started with a variation of "LOL" that includes several other letters regarding a particular anatomical landmark, but when I previewed the post before sending, it was replaced with comic strip asterisks. How quaint. My bad. (For those of you who do not speak "text" or conventional slang, that means "I am sorry." LOL.) If I do not mind my "p's and q's" they will be banning my smarty-pants posts altogether! I will say that the emoticons and icons are first rate!

"Four legs good, two legs bad." And if you get that one, you are either well read, or dating yourself. LOL. As always, I digress.

[NICUdude]

OMG, I love where this has been, where it is, and where it may go.

I just read the funniest statement of all the posts I have perused, and since I am not savvy to the proper way to quote y'all, I cut and paste, but anywho, (and I meant "who", not dyslexic, old English teacher's sense of humor peeking through) here it is:

"I like the plain uniforms they wear in the E.R. They're tranquilizing."

Is that a medical, if not advantageous use of scrubs?

I actually "laughed out loud!" (Wow, I am exhausted after typing the entire words, LOL.)

I also realized after my previous post, and after singing the praises of the emoticons, etc., that I am evidently not entitled to use them, so you will have to content yourself with my QWERTY power to make you all smile, and/or groan. Lo siento, por favor.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

Please. I work in hospice and we all wear whatever makes us smile and happy. My hands down favorite scrub is one with smiley faces sticking their tongues out. It always gets compliments. You have to laugh in this buisiness. Nursing is tough and stressful enough.

As far as being 'treated proffessionally, it is my demeanor that determines that. I've always been taken seriously as a nurse because of how I conduct myself. Period. And last but not least, my patients and families call every female that walks in the room the 'nurse' if they wear scrubs. Which is why I always introduce myself as their nurse and wear my nametag.

In this case, though, being a hospice nurse, are you wearing that smiley face scrub top when you're in a home after a patient passes away? That seems so inappropriate to me.

So I have no "tweetie bird scrubs" and I thought that my uniforms were professional. I dress professionally. Humbled that this has been such as issue. Personally I don't think dull scrubs that are green, blue or grey are going to win our pts over. Sad but that's life. Will do it and again thankful for job. Thankful to care for my patients. sigh.

Really? Because I believe it's my smile, attitude, and competence that will win them over. While the same could be said for cartoony scrubs, if someone wanted to argue that point, people DO judge you on your appearance, whether you like it or not. In more subtle colors, I believe that less focus is placed on your uniform, and patients will then judge you MORE on elements of you as a person rather than appearance. In bright/pastel/cartoon scrubs, more judgement is sealed on that (hope that makes sense).

In terms of the OP, I prefer muted colors, and solids (the few prints I DO wear are muted, too, and things like plaids). I wear black or navy pants, and black or navy shoes. I get compliments and comments from patients that I look professional how I dress, and that the colors I choose for tops are "good colors for me." I went through a phase several years ago where I bought a bunch of pastel colored pants and print tops, I would NEVER wear them now. I just agree that they do not project a professional image, period.

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

royal blue is probably the first color of scrubs i will buy for myself when i become an rn, i do really like that color :) ... however, as much as i like the color red as well, i don't think that color would elicit a very positive emotional response on the part of a patient ... even though it would hide blood stains quite well

i have a red top (not a super bright red, but definitely red) and probably get the most compliments on that one. apparently the color looks good on me, and i hear it quite frequently from both patients and other staff, so i'll continue to wear it!

[cherrybreeze, ADN, RN]

Exactly. And on a related note, I would wonder just how seriously my nurse takes Evidence Based Practice if I observed them wearing shoes that claim to get rid of cellulite!! strengthen every muscle in the body, etc by wearing shoes that basically force you to tighten your butt cheeks to balance yourself while wearing mini-rocking chairs on your feet. If you see your nurse falling for that, what's next? Those shoes with the wheels on the heel so are forced to tighten your glutes to avoid crashing into the tray cart?? Very suspect, I'd say. I think I'd rather wear Lady Gaga shoes to work.

I'm going to nit pick and go off topic (meaning, stick with the shoe theme) for a minute.

I don't own Shape-Ups or any other type of similar shoe, as I don't believe they would have enough of an effect to make it worth it. However, I have never seen a claim by any company making these shoes that they "get rid of cellulite," as it's pretty common knowledge that NOTHING (short of surgery) gets rid of cellulite; at the very least, we know exercise does not. These shoes claim to tone muscles, which does not equate to getting rid of cellulite, so I think you're reaching to make your point. In addition, "holding your butt cheeks together" would technically count as isometric exercise (like holding in your abs while doing things), which DOES benefit muscles....how much may not be provable, but if you're constantly working a muscle, it's going to have an effect of SOME sort. At any rate, if the person who wears them does so because they are comfortable for a shift and eliminates back and knee pain, more power to them.

Back to the OP.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Exactly. And on a related note, I would wonder just how seriously my nurse takes Evidence Based Practice if I observed them wearing shoes that claim to get rid of cellulite!! strengthen every muscle in the body, etc by wearing shoes that basically force you to tighten your butt cheeks to balance yourself while wearing mini-rocking chairs on your feet. If you see your nurse falling for that, what's next? Those shoes with the wheels on the heel so are forced to tighten your glutes to avoid crashing into the tray cart?? Very suspect, I'd say. I think I'd rather wear Lady Gaga shoes to work.

Off topic -- I don't know about all the other Sketchers silliness but everyone I have met wearing them says they are the most comfortable things they have ever worn. Once I am earning money again I might have to get some -- if they really are comfy. Although, they do look a bit silly. Don't know if I want to sacrifice my dignity for comfort (when there are other good comfortable shoes available). We shall see....

[NICUdude]

Said the fly:

"Waiter, there is a person eating my soup!"

It is all about perspective. People who have weighed in on this rolling snowball have likely not read all gazillion of the previous posts. If you happen to have, I am impressed, or frightened, not sure which. I look at the ones that get emailed to me, as punishment for my continual replies. Kinda like chocolate, I can, but often choose not to resist eating it.

I am encouraged that so many diverse opinions have been expressed. No lemmings in our ranks. We all prefer to march proudly, at our own pace, over the cliff. Be bold, but grab your "swimmies" before the plunge. They come in all colors, and whimsical prints too!

[NICUdude]

Hey, I was wrong, the emoticons ARE at my disposal. Not sure why the post icons will not load. They show up on the post preview, but not the finished post. Hmm. How many S&H green stamps does it take to earn an icon?

What? Some of my favorite childhood glassware came from a gas station, where once upon a time, they checked your oil, washed your windows (with soap, water, squeegee, and a blue paper towel) and you could trade in stamps for prizes. You could buy enough gasoline to get somewhere with the change in you pocket. All soda came in bottles, and a "45" was a hit song (or two, if the flip-side caught on) instead of the age of many of the fearful student nurses who post on this site.

Just goes to show, you are NEVER too old to take the tangent express, or to be anything you want to be.

I think I figured the other out, too. I have to select the icon again, before I submit the finished farce. Old dogs, yadda.:dncgbby:

[NICUdude]

Nope. Still no icon. Alas, I have failed again.

Orville, I will get there eventually.

Sincerely,

Wilbur:hdvwl:

[Sparrowhawk]

I find it doesn't matter what type of scrubs I wear...my professionalism is based soley on how old I look....people don't think I'm a nurse..not because I wear prints two days of the week but because I don't look "old enough to be a nurse".

[NICUdude]

I find it doesn't matter what type of scrubs I wear...my professionalism is based soley on how old I look....people don't think I'm a nurse..not because I wear prints two days of the week but because I don't look "old enough to be a nurse".

Dear Sparrowhawk,

Just figured out how to quote, jeez pretty soon I will be collecting revenue from this site! LOL!

I am the "chicken hawk" that pestered Foghorn Leghorn, in black and white, before Elmer Fudd became a GEICO spokes-stutterer, and all cavemen were indignant. Don't even get me started on that billionare lizard!

I also just figured out that OP is the "original point." I thought it was another poster's screen name. Remind me to continue to ignore the "OP."

As far as not looking old enough to be a nurse, all I can say is: "Hold on to that." Three grandbabies later, I still get carded, even though the age on my driver's license just says "OTD." (Older Than Dirt)

Bless the Beasts and the Children. Great book, ok movie.

Yes, you are correct, in my case, they are just being kind.:vlin: