?? for long-haired female nurses/student! How do you wear your hair at the hospital?

[Athenas83]

Silly question I know. I'm starting nursing school this month, and I have long hair (past shoulder length) and I'm assuming I can't wear it down in the hospital. The thing is (not to be vain), I look better with my hair down, and I don't want to cut it. Half of my hair up and rest down is probably not acceptable either?

So how do you all wear your hair? I was thinking a low ponytail.....blaaah boring. Maybe I'll get some side sweeping bangs to make it look more interesting.

[NursingAgainstdaOdds]

One more thought, after scanning through this thread: whatever you do, please use a professional look. While pigtails may be cute on a child, they don't exactly convey "professional healthcare provider" if you're dealing with the adult population! And particularly if you're young (or young-looking), you may have to go the extra step to NOT look like a teenie-bopper when in clinicals.

Choose a french braid. Choose a braid clipped back in on itself. Choose a bun, or a twist, or a ponytail (neat, not fuzzed out and pink like I saw on my 15-year old babysitter one day).

May not seem fair, but your very first appearance to someone (just like Mom said!) is the most important. If you don't look like you belong there, why should your patients think you do?

LOL for real! The only two things I know how to do with my hair are two (lateral) braids, or a ponytail. I like me in 2 braids, but how could my pts take me seriously if I was sporting that look at work? I always wear a ponytail, which I totally HATE ... I've been trying to teach myself how to french braid my hair, but I just can't figure it out! I've used internet vids, written instructions ... *sigh*

But, yeah - totally agree with you on the pigtails!