(IN)Appropriate Dress

[trinitymaster]

Nurse Practitioners are at the forefront of healthcare reform. Many patients only contact with a healthcare professional will be with a Nurse Practitioner.

My question is this: Do you cringe when you see a nurse practitioner dressed inappropriately for the professional setting?

Tell us about a personal experience that you have had with a nurse-practitioner who did not dress appropriately for their setting.

Examples would be a male nurse practitioner who wore skinny jeans and a muscle shirt, or perhaps a female that wore yoga pants and high-heel boots.

[Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP]

A 3 year old thread....ok I'll bite. I do my NP clinicals in the ICU so we wear scrubs, as I'd rather not be wearing a skirt and heels when I'm trying to place an a-line or a chest tube. Scrubs are way more practical in an ICU setting. I do, however, wear a lab coat. On the days when we have had to go to the affiliated teaching hospital for classes or clinical labs I will wear business professional with a lab coat....dress pants, mules and a plain colored shirt. It is a required dress code for my school. I must admit I've never seen an inappropriately dressed NP in my entire career but I've seen plenty of inappropriately dressed nurses/CNAs. I really despise brightly patterned scrubs covered in motifs. I find them ugly and unprofessional. I've only ever worn plain colored scrubs, usually navy or ceil blue. I feel that they are environment appropriate and professional. I've seen an occasional resident dress somewhat "overly-emphasized" and have often wondered how they could do a 16+ hour shift all over the hospital wearing those heels. My feet hurt just looking at them. If I'm in scrubs I wear trail runners or sneakers for comfort. Being in the ICU I need shoes I can clean/wash easily. Oh...and I'm an icky-over 50 too.

[scout mom]

Even though this thread is old, I find it kind of ridiculous. In the past few weeks, I have been to 4 different clinics with 4 different specialties (1 cardiologist, 1 endocrinologist, 1 family practice NP & 1 pediatric PA) & I can honestly say that I have absolutely NO idea what any of them were wearing.

[AngelfireRN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I'm an NP. I'm 37. I wear exactly what I want. Leggings, jeans, a dress, shorts. My attire has no bearing on my ability to care for my patients and those shallow enough to base their thoughts of my ability based on a pair of LuLaRoe Disney leggings would probably be better served at a practice run by a tailored professionally dressed snot, with my best wishes for their continued good health.

Oh, yes, I should probably add that I own my own clinic. And haven't had a smart comment yet on what I wear. I've lived here my whole life. They know what I look like!

[Tenebrae, BSN, RN]

I think there is more important things about what makes a good nurse, nurse practitioner etc than what they are wearing.

Do they treat the patient with dignity and respect?

Do they seek to do their very best by their patient and explore every avenue to ensure that best possible outcomes are met?

Personally I dont give a rat about how those caring for myself or my loved ones are dressed. I want to know they are clinically competent and doing the best job they can do