Labcoat?

nicuRN2007 · May 3, 2006

Good question. I'm in nursing school, but I work as a nurse extern also. I want to wear a labcoat because I'm always cold, and I think they look neater than the scrub jackets. I don't, however, because I don't want people to think I'm trying to look like a doctor. So I just wear the scrub jacket.

allnurses Guide · May 3, 2006

Good question. I'm in nursing school, but I work as a nurse extern also. I want to wear a labcoat because I'm always cold, and I think they look neater than the scrub jackets. I don't, however, because I don't want people to think I'm trying to look like a doctor. So I just wear the scrub jacket.

I really think it depends on where you live. The docs I work with mostly wear scrubs and no lab jacket at all.

We live in a rural area . . one of the docs sometimes comes in from jogging and does rounds in his shorts and t-shirt.

The docs who have office hours come in to rounds in a nice pair of pants and a dress shirt - no lab jacket.

I realize it is a rite of passage in school to get that white lab jacket for a doc . . . .but in real life, at least around here, it doesn't mean much except as a piece of material to keep a person warm.

steph

nicuRN2007 · May 3, 2006

I really think it depends on where you live. The docs I work with mostly wear scrubs and no lab jacket at all.
We live in a rural area . . one of the docs sometimes comes in from jogging and does rounds in his shorts and t-shirt.
The docs who have office hours come in to rounds in a nice pair of pants and a dress shirt - no lab jacket.
I realize it is a rite of passage in school to get that white lab jacket for a doc . . . .but in real life, at least around here, it doesn't mean much except as a piece of material to keep a person warm.
steph

I think you are right. By saying I don't wear one because I don't want people to think I'm trying to look like a doctor, I don't mean to imply that those who do wear them are trying to look like a doctor. (I know you didn't acuse me of implying this, but I just want to make it known that that's not what I mean.) Anyway, I think you are right, it depends on where you live...or maybe on the hospital at which you work. I had actually planned on getting one when I first started working at the hospital, but after a few weeks I noticed that none of the nurses wore them, so I decided not to get one. That's probably a dumb reason not to, since there is no rule that says I can't wear one. But I believe at my hospital people would think that I'm trying to look like a doctor, and I don't want that.

Mississippi_RN · May 3, 2006

Well...I wear a scrub jacket (it's white but I don't know that I would call it a "lab jacket" per se). It is short sleeved though because I STAY hot all the time. It is horrible. I think we have next to no ventilation whatsoever. Anyway, I wear one because I need the pockets...if I can't take everything that I might possibly need down the hall at one time, then it's no good... Major multi-tasker...lol. :lol2:

veegeern, BSN, RN · May 3, 2006

N mie skewl stewdents R naught a loud 2 ware eh lahb coot

:lol_hitti :smiley_aa :roll

GEMINI06 · May 6, 2006

We are required to wear a lab coat in our program...besides being asked to remove in some clinical settings (peds, geri, psych), we were often confused with RT, residents, and MDs. I found that the easiest way to dispell misiterpretation of who I am is to greet each client/ family as "Hi, I am (name), I am a student nurse from (school) and I will be working with (RN's name).....) No matter what we wear, it is our responsibility to present ourself as what we are, and not let others "assume" we are residents, etc.

Anyways, I ended up writing a scholarly paper on nursing uniforms, and the following articles have some good info:

Mangum, Garrison, Lind, Thackeray, and Wyatt (1991) - developed a Nurse Image Scale that people rated professional qualities in 9 different pictures of the same nurse wearing 9 different nursing uniforms - all white with a cap and/or stethescope was preferred over all the others!

Newton and Chaney (1996) Also gave a likert-type scale to nursing faculty and students. Age, curriculum level, and teaching level all correllated with preferences in attire. Overall, all groups viewed lab coats as professional.

Lastly, here is a quote for you:

"It is the nurse's responsibility to present a professional therapeutic and approachable image through behavior rather than rely on the nature of the uniform that is worn (Cambell et al 2000).

To make a long story short - yes, labcoats are professional and appropriate to wear as a nurse or nursing student. Go for it, and wear it with pride!!!

michelledlrn · May 6, 2006

They made us have one in Nursing School. It made me feel professional but it got in my way most of the time, unless I was cold then I would just roll up the sleeves. What do you think about "white coat syndrome."

michelledlrn · May 6, 2006

I think if you want to wear one whatever. Nursing is a profession, so why would we hold doctors higher than us saying we don't want to look like we are trying to be a doctor, we do most of the work anyway. I am not trying to sound rude but I think that we should do what ever is in the lines of our practice and wearing a labcoat is not out of line (wearing an arrogant attitude because you have one on is). I understand the underlying unwritten social rules of fitting in but I would wear one if it lookes professional.

*CJA* · May 6, 2006

If your school is anything like mine, they will tell you EXACTLY what to wear, and when and where to wear it. We must wear a labcoat when in skills labs and when we visit the hospital the night before clinical (to get info on patient) - when we also must be completely covered in professional attire (no bare legs, sandals, jeans, etc). In clinical we must wear the school uniform (specific scrubs with the school patch, white shoes - no clogs, white socks), and we are allowed to wear a white or navy blue sweater for warmth. Ironing scrubs is strongly recommended. We are also required to wear appropriate undergarments as the white scrub tops are a little see-through. Only one pair of non-dangly earrings, rings are discouraged, no other jewelry.

If you know you'll be allowed to wear it, get a lab coat made of good heavy fabric that will not looked wrinkled if you end up pulling it out of a book bag.

Warpster · May 6, 2006

I always wore a labcoat over my scrubs. Not only did it hide my butt, it provided huge pockets for all the stuff a critical care pack rat carries around.

Patients never had to ask who the nurse was, and that was an added benefit.

aoconnor · May 6, 2006

lab coats have been shown to contribute to cross infection and they are being phased out in hospitals in Ireland and U.K. Alice:jester:

lisabeth · May 7, 2006

I found some awesome ones that aren't see through at Taffords! It is the following link: http://www.tafford.com/
If you plan on getting it ruined and want to buy a couple and wash frequently...uniform city has quite a few good ones for cheep prices! I got mine there for nursing school, and used only one...worked just fine!!!!!!!!

Thanks for posting that link. I marked it as a favoite.