Let's talk about acrylic nails ...

GraceyB · Mar 25, 2003

Did you see other nurses with acrylics at the hospital? Take a look at the policy book. This way you'll be prepared to either keep them or take them off. If you do need to take them off get regular manicures with clear polish (that is allowed).

GraceyB · Mar 25, 2003

I meant to say IF the clear polish is allowed in your new hospital.

Shamrock, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2003

Suppose it would depend on their policy. Personally, I think they are troublesome.

ayemmeff · Mar 25, 2003

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7220&highlight=false+nails

P_RN, ADN, RN · Mar 25, 2003

SC RN we must be twins. Very paper thin ridged nails that break, peel crack etc. All my life I have had problems. My 2 sibs and my mom have rock hard nails. I inherited daddy's I guess.

I wore acrylics for the last 4 or 5 years I worked. I had what the lady called an American Manicure (pinkish rather than beige) with the pale white tips.

My hands never looked better, my cuticles didn't bleed, hangnails didn't get infected etc. I also kept them quite short, had them done q 2w and scrubbed them vigorously.

The nails were not against policy. Therefore SOME had the inch long bloody meathook looking claws with decals and pictures.

Then some had 10-12 rings, gold chains, dangly earrings and loose hair to mid back.

All against policy except the nails. So here I was following policy, looking neat.......

I have seen the studies about acrylics, and I have also seen coworkers who wore the same gloves patient to patient to "protect their nails"......who is right? I think I was.

SC RN, RN · Mar 25, 2003

Thanks for the posts (and the link to the old discussion!) so far .... I'm having a hard time with this because when we talk about bacteria under the fingernail, well, it can be there on someone with natural nails, as well. And I'm going to wear gloves for all procedures anyway ... and my nails are not sharp at all, they won't pierce a glove, in fact, I use the corner of my nails for my Palm and it's never scratched the screen.

P RN - we are twins! And I fully agree with the other infection control issues ... I don't even wear my wedding ring on the floor. I don't wear earrings to work unless they are studs and I wear no necklaces or bracelets. I keep my hair pulled back in clips even though I hate having my hair off my face because I think my ears are big! I do everything right ... except for wanting these nails! Ugh!

PowerPuffGirl · Mar 25, 2003

I must be related to y'all, because my natural nails are the same way!

I just got rid of my very short, gel overlay, last month, because school dress code doesn't permit them. And my nails are looking shoddier than they have in years!

duckie · Mar 25, 2003

I cannot see how these nails, if kept in a proper length, "not cat length," can possibly be any less sanitarty than chipping, broken, thin and cracking nails. I wear glue on, cause I can pop a set on in 15 minutes and I stay professional at all times in my length. The majority of my complimants come from my supervisors. Now, we have this one nurse that has claws that are 1 1/2 inch long, natural, very yellow and dirty, which do you think looks better and is safer healthwise. She also has long frizzy stringy hair that flies in the breeze, looks great...huh? We have no policy against nail colors so I am free to be expressive, color my nails to match my uniforms and the residents just love it. I wash my hands tons of times daily, always wear gloves( changing between residents) and and very careful of the length. Check to company handbook. Plus, if your nails are done in a natural way, length is good, I would doubt that anyone will even notice unless you tell them. Give me professional looking nails everytime. When my nails are natural, they split, hangnails galore, not a pretty site. My daughters wedding is coming up on Saturday and you better believe they'll be on. Check your handbook, that's the best route to go.

Heather333 · Mar 25, 2003

Personally, I think that any type of false nails do not belong in bedside nursing practice. They harbor multiple organisms no matter how "clean" they look or how often they are done. Patients in the hospital are there because they are sick. They are already exposed to an array of bacteria, viruses, etc. just from the hospital environment. We nurses do not need to add to the possibility of transmitting infections because of artificial nails.

Heather

CHICKTOEAGLE · Mar 25, 2003

I must disagree with Heather (WITH RESPEST) . Short, cracked, bleeding nails &problem cuticles can be much more of a transmission vehicle.Icertainly disagree w/ 1-1/2 " claws but feel that well maintained manicured nails are not a problem. CHICK

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Mar 25, 2003

I am like you guys w the weak nails.

I just had acrylics done for the first time in my life before Christmas, and I LOVED it. I do not like the fake tips tho, that is where the trouble comes in. I had the gel done and they split and I could see stuff getting stuck in there, so I cut them off. My widdle nails are sooooo short and weak right now, it is more of an infection control hazard than the smooth surface of the acrylics. I am going to get these itty bitty ones just painted w acrylic and get them filled until I have decent length again, just over fingertip, not claws, and I prefer the subtle colors anyway.

As long as they are done by reputable licensed people, done well, and you follow infection control standards like handwashing, etc, I see no problem w it, and I do not feel it looks unprofessional.

Now the claws w gems and all that, well, how the heck can you really work like that?? One has to wonder how much work is really getting done!