lab coat?

I wear a short lab coat with cuffs at the sleeves because I get cold easily and it's easier to take off a layer when hot. Advantage to a lab coat is extra pockets. Disadvantage is I sometimes get mistaken for a doctor before I get a chance to introduce myself.

I've always worn a full length lab coat. It was part of the uniform for some of my clinicals 30 years ago and I found I liked having 6 pockets to store my stuff in. Plus, I'm always a little cold and can keep warmer with a lab coat. When I'm doing "hands on" care- bath, dressing change, linen change... i take it off, but I feel naked without it when I making my rounds, teaching, giving report... People do call my "doctor" more than I like, but I just direct them to my name badge and my white shoes(and sox) to help them identify my position.

I have found most hospital still have the rule: short lab coat for nurses, long for doctors. I made the mistake a buying a long coat for my first clinical rotation. From the reaction of my instructor you would have thought I killed a doctor and stole his lab coat. I never made that mistake. I have heard people make fun of other nurses who wear the long coats. It's looked at that the person is a "want a be" doctor. Just my opinion. I think the longer coat gets dirtier much faster and I am always hot. Wouldn't wear it if i could.