Let's hear your school uniform stories!

diane227, LPN, RN · Nov 30, 2008

I graduated from nursing school in 1978. I went to Texas Womans University. Our uniforms were pepto bismol pink. We had to wear them with white Clinic shoes (they probably don't make these shoes any more), white hose and our caps. We had to line up for inspection before clinical and if you had a spot on you, home you went (this was enforced by some instructors more than others). I was never so glad in my life to tear up that uniform after I graduated. We all looked sooooo ugly. Diane

RNMom2010 · Nov 30, 2008

I gained wt too and opted to get white scrub pants and not uniform pants. I have had students notice but my clinical instructors either don't notice or don't care. They look far better than the too tight ones I was wearing before haha!

When I was doing my ortho rotation one of the nurses saw our uniforms and said those were the same ones she wore in nursing school back in the 80's!!

Of course the class behind us got new updated uniforms! Not fair!

2jen · Nov 30, 2008

I am pregnant and the uniforms I first bought do not fit anymore but at the beginning of each semester my school has a used uniform sale, 20 bucks for a top and pants! So thats what I did but if that wasn't an option I would have just bought regular white scrub pants and hoped my instructor didn't notice!

tabswifeRN · Nov 30, 2008

In my program we have to wear navy blue scrubs with the school patch on the arm. We also have to wear white shoes and socks. I wear the berkenstocks and they are comfortable. My school isn't to overboard on dress code. no piercings or tattoos that show. no perfume or fingernail polish.

Aneroo, LPN · Nov 30, 2008

We had white pants, white top, and a white pinafore with a blue stripe. I hated tha that uniform! I did love the pockets- I had three big kangaroo pockets on the front, but as I gained weight, it started looking more like a maternity outfit. LOL I did buy white scrub pants later.

coolpeach · Dec 1, 2008

I am just finishing first semester, and we have all white scrubs, and shoes. I NEVER wear white because I dribble, and spill all the time. It has been a big effort to look spotless. At any rate our uniforms cost $117 for two scrub pants, two shirts, and a lab coat all monogrammed with out school logo, and name. We had no choice, but to go where the school sent us. One of my fellow students called back, and its now like $60 bucks for one pair of scubs. She was told that it was cheaper last time because the entire program bought in bulk. I hope I don't gain weight or I'll be in trouble.

Aneroo, LPN · Dec 1, 2008

I wanted to add- as tempted as I was to burn them once I graduated, I saved them. They look old, and they mean a lot. I wanted to save them to look back on one day, and not just in pictures.

DLS_PMHNP, MSN, RN, NP · Dec 1, 2008

we wear all white, all the way down to our shoes.

No patches or anything, though.

I felt bad last week, one student started her period unexpectedly..

That's another great reason I hate wearing all white...

Happy Holidays,

Diane

RNKel, ASN, RN · Dec 1, 2008

I gained a lot of weight (35 lbs) during my pre-reqs and freshman year of nursing school. This past summer, I lost 30 lbs and now my clinical uniform is super-big! It has a drawstring around the waist so I just cinch it tighter. But I'm happy! :anpom:

WickedRedRN, BSN, RN · Dec 1, 2008

I had gastric bypass during our 3 week summer break in LPN school. By December, I looked ridiculous! I was a broke nursing student and our uniforms were ridiculously expensive. For one uniform it was 40.00 for the pants and 65.00 for the smock top which was custom embroidered. A girl I was in clinicals with was nice enough to take my uniforms in, but there is only so far you can go! Thankfully the instructors understood and no one said anything about my baggy clothes!

shrimpchips, LPN · Dec 1, 2008

I haven't gained weight, but I spent ~$200 on uniforms and this is my first semester in the program. I ran into someone on some committee that is trying to change them :angryfire I refuse to drop more money on uniforms unless I absolutely have to (like the ones I have now get worn or something). We wear navy scrub pants and a navy polo top with our school's patch on the left shoulder, and then we can also wear a scrub jacket over that. We also have a white lab coat used for the psych rotation or for picking up our clinical assignments if we don't feel like donning the whole uniform. We also have a white polo with a patch on it that is used for our communities rotation. I honestly hate the polo and it would be nice if they changed it to an actual scrub top but still, I'm poor haha.