how do you keep your sexy??

Nurses General Nursing

Published

ok - listen - First this is a second career for me and- Two, Cosmetolgy was my first for many years.

I am so accustomed to the world of beauty as I know it with glamourous hair and well manicured nails and such and I feel like I am always this plain Jane all the time. I just wanna run out and get a nice french manicure, french pedicure and stick my foot in a sexy shoe, not some danskos -you know? I am sick of this dog gone pulled back look and or ponytail. I just feel so un-sexy all the time and it starting to affect my self esteem. Not that any of that makes you, but it has been a part of me for so looooong. You know how it is when you get done up and you get an instant bit of swagger in your walk. I'm having some trouble adjusting sometimes. I don't feel like this most days at all but when I do - boy do I feel it. When off the clock, I'm too tired to even care about sexy. It's so sad, because all I do is find some more unsexy clothes like sweats when off the clock- so I am constantly in a state of unsexy.

So what do you do to preserve your sexy??

Specializes in tele, oncology.

I went through a phase when I worked days where I'd just roll out of bed, throw on scrubs, and be out the door. Once I went to nights I started paying more attention to how I looked, and I truly feel that the extra attention I gave to myself has helped to have me be taken more seriously by docs and families. I think that maybe looking more put together automatically gives someone a little more trust in your abilities...doesn't make sense to me, but that's the way it seems to be.

I'm small, so I wear scrubs that fit right, usually tops that have an empire waist with a tie back. And after breastfeeding two kids, I certainly don't have the...look, shall we say...that I did when I was eighteen, so I'm sure to wear a good bra that will give me support and shape for fourteen hours. I also tend to wear cute undies that match my scrubs. I wear scrub pants that are fitted at the top and have flare legs on them; I have no butt or hips and am short, so I think it helps give the illusion of some shape and length. Or I could just be fooling myself. :)

I always wear make-up, especially mascara. Not only does it help me feel better, I think it helps me look more awake when I'm pestering my patients for lab draws at 0400.

Most importantly, though, I ALWAYS have a smile and a "hello, how are you?" for staff, visitors, and doctors. I address people by name whenever possible as well. It usually gets the same kind of response, and people seem to genuinely like and care for people who take that kind of time and effort to listen and greet them. So not necessarily getting my sexy on, but definitely getting my confidence on, which makes me feel better about myself in turn.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am but a wee little student, so I can't really say if I've lost my "sexy", or if I even had any to begin with. :D

Assuming I have the sexy (this is sounding like some kind of weird disease now, but I digress), what helps me most is not caring what anyone thinks. Beauty is subjective, and I know that not everyone will find me attractive and that's OK by me. Little make up, just rolled out of bed... whatever. As long as I feel hot, it doesn't matter what anyone else says. Self confidence goes a long way!

I am a very artistic and creative person, and so I have a unique sense of fashion. I have been making my own clothes for a while, and in order to keep the sexy fresh, I try to sew up or design some new stuff to wear when ever I have a free moment. I'm constantly having new clothes and changing up my look, and that "new-ness" makes me feel awesome. I'm also finishing my sleeve (tattoo) that has been incomplete for almost a year, and knowing how gorgeous that is going to look makes me feel super confident, excited, and sexy! Being able to express my individuality in an artistic and permanent way is an excellent feeling - definitely sexy, even if "no one will marry a girl with a lot of tattoos". It's all about how YOU feel about YOU!

Oh, hello there soapbox - time to step down from you now. :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med Surg, LTC, Home Health.

I suck in my gut...at least when the ladies are around. Dont hang around too long though, or i may get dizzy.:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Taking care of yourself is for you AND for others. Don't become one of the slob nurses that I have had to work with through the years! I think nurses standardly go down that road because they are busy or lazy and think no one is watching. I cared how you looked, I was sensitive when I had to look at dirty hair, nails, clothes, dry flaky skin, chapped lips, grown out hair color jobs. JUST THINK HOW YOUR PATIENTS PERCEIVE YOU. Remember this, the French believe that it is disrespectful to others to go out in public with an unkempt appearance. Believe it yourself, you do not have to be French to absorb this little bit of wisdom! I don't mean excess makeup or 2" acrylic nails like street hookers, just a clean, presentable appearance with a bit of blush, lipstick or gloss, sparkling clean nails and a GOOD HAIRCUT!!!! Your patients will appreciate it and have more of a tendency to believe you will care for them properly and professionally. Based on actual studies, women and men who present well in any profession are judged to be more successful in their profession.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Exactly my point! I never intended for my message to get misconstrued. I'm not trying to be sexy at work at all in any kind of way. Typical next girl pretty - yes maybe, professional- absolutely. Neat and clean, - you betcha!.

I'm speaking of after you went to work very nice girl like and now you are off the clock and you can just be yourself-but you just don't even have the energy or time and sometimes feel like you lost how. I would love to get my"normal french acrylic tips", but you can't do that taking care of patients even when they are short. I would love to get a pedicure without wondering if it's getting all messed up in my danskos.

I know all about the attitude and yes this is true - but what if you don't have the attitude because you feel frumpy 40 to 50 hrs a week?

Lots and lots of great responses though guys (thank you for the tips) especially from those who really understood where I was coming from. Very Very comical- some of you and just made my day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I think some people misunderstood the OP's intent, I didn't take it at all to mean that she wants to be showing cleavage and have her thong hanging out at work to be sexy. I think she was talking mentally which I totally can relate too. I am not a nurse yet, although I do look forward to the scrubs, but I battled something similar when I became a SAHM. I went from always being dressed, doing my hair, putting on a little make up and taking the time to care what I look like, to going out in sweats and slippers, hair just pulled back. It took a huge toll on my self confidence, I have a husband that thinks I am sexy no matter how I look, eye crusties and all, but if you don't feel it in yourself than it doesn't matter who thinks you are.

I know for me, little things can be a huge boost for me, getting my eyebrows waxed, a pedicure, what have you, I hope you get your zing back, Maybe try cute style ponytails, like find creative ways to put your hair back that isn't the same old ponytail, but makes you feel a little better. Make sure you get scrubs that fit, having baggy clothes is going to make you feel more frumpy Maybe go get a mystic tan or something.

I totally get what you are saying and hope you get out of your funk!!

Exactly my point! I never intended for my message to get misconstrued. I'm not trying to be sexy at work at all in any kind of way. Typical next girl pretty - yes maybe, professional- absolutely. Neat and clean, - you betcha!.

I'm speaking of after you went to work very nice girl like and now you are off the clock and you can just be yourself-but you just don't even have the energy or time and sometimes feel like you lost how. I would love to get my"normal french acrylic tips", but you can't do that taking care of patients even when they are short. I would love to get a pedicure without wondering if it's getting all messed up in my danskos.

I know all about the attitude and yes this is true - but what if you don't have the attitude because you feel frumpy 40 to 50 hrs a week?

Lots and lots of great responses though guys (thank you for the tips) especially from those who really understood where I was coming from. Very Very comical- some of you and just made my day!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU & CTICU.

Smile, laugh and be kind.

That gets me all the wanted/unwanted attention I need to feel attractive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Surgery.

You can do it! Still get your hair done (there are many cute/sexy up do's you could do for work or leave it down), do your make up for work (it doesn't have to be heavy) if you can buy your own scrubs get the cute fitted ones, buy shoes that match your scrubs, put on a little bling (necklace, earrings), put on the cute panties, continue to eat right and work out. Working in the department I do we have to change and wear hospital scrubs. All whole department looks the same so we have to add some of our own autonomy by wearing different surgical hats (I must have 100!), our shoes (I have different colors, styles, favorite sport teams, etc.) Last, have a good attitude and love what you do!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.
I am but a wee little student, so I can't really say if I've lost my "sexy", or if I even had any to begin with. :D

Assuming I have the sexy (this is sounding like some kind of weird disease now, but I digress), what helps me most is not caring what anyone thinks. Beauty is subjective, and I know that not everyone will find me attractive and that's OK by me. Little make up, just rolled out of bed... whatever. As long as I feel hot, it doesn't matter what anyone else says. Self confidence goes a long way!

I am a very artistic and creative person, and so I have a unique sense of fashion. I have been making my own clothes for a while, and in order to keep the sexy fresh, I try to sew up or design some new stuff to wear when ever I have a free moment. I'm constantly having new clothes and changing up my look, and that "new-ness" makes me feel awesome. I'm also finishing my sleeve (tattoo) that has been incomplete for almost a year, and knowing how gorgeous that is going to look makes me feel super confident, excited, and sexy! Being able to express my individuality in an artistic and permanent way is an excellent feeling - definitely sexy, even if "no one will marry a girl with a lot of tattoos". It's all about how YOU feel about YOU!

Oh, hello there soapbox - time to step down from you now. :up:

I am also artisitic and tattooed and pierced. I love my skin art. At 23 as you are I never lost my sexy feeling or sense. Now that I am twice your age, I still haven't lost my "sexy" or strong sense of Identity. In fact I have my "sexy" stronger than ever, age does not diminish that all.Skin art is just an outer extension of our inner belief and feelings. Both my arms are sleeved out. Also. as you can imagine I have many more also.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Remember, sexy is an attitude, and not a look. I think scrubs are sexy anyway! I do think you should go with the sexy underwear idea though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I came from working in a factory w/grease and oil so I feel really sexy!! hehehe Seriously though, I have gained some weight from nursing school, so I will hit the gym soon. It's hard to keep sexy w/no money and little time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am a male nurse and if I may ask what is your preoccupation with being sexy at work? I have enough problems all day long looking at my fellow female nurses, yes I am quilty, and having my heart race all day. All you nurses are sexy no matter what you wear but if you want to feel more sexy then go ahead and push the envelope as far as you are allowed. I would love that. And please don't turn around and call me weird or accuse me of sexual harrassment when you catch me feasting my eyes. Hot Hot Hot... female nurses are soooo hot.:wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment