Low rider pants on nurses

Nurses General Nursing

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It's becoming a problem in many workplaces according to yesterday's Wall Street Journal: Low rider pants.

I'm seeing some nurses wearing them, and they're steadily moving south of propriety in my opinion. Latest styles are all flared, too.

It's one thing to stand at a bar wearing them, or accept a Grammy wearing them. But in a nursing setting...?

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Attire is only part of the whole person. Whether we like it or not, however, we are judged by our appearances in nursing. That is a fact. I don't like unprofessional images be they long, dagger-like finger nails, loud make-up, stinky perfume, etc. If low-rider pants ARE CLEAN AND NOT REVEALING as in the picture, I have no problem with it. There are worse things bringing down our nursing image---so I have changed my stance a bit on the pants. BUT it's part of the WHOLE PACKAGE....perfectly ironed-scrubs do NOT make up for the gum-popping,perfume-reeking, loud, outlandish makeup, loud-mouthing many nurses display. Never will. It's a whole package-deal. And we need a lot of cleaning up, frankly.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Originally posted by Celiabs

What do you think about Capri pants? They always make me think of those 50s beach movies with Annette and Frankie.

Here's the kind of drop waist I was referring to:

http://www.ackley-uniforms.com/landau_flare.htm

These pants appear to be fine from the picture AS LONG AS a shirt is TUCKED IN the pants like in the picture. No belly buttons should show of course. :nurse:

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I am sick to death of this "nurses eat their young" crap...every time someone differs with a newer nurse it is immediately construed into "eating our young."

Perhaps the pants shown in the ad weren't bad, but it won't be long until someone pushes the limits a little further. At some point there needs to be a line in the sand, a limit to what is appropriate in the work place.

And I hate the gum popping, perfume reeking, gaudy makeup wearing image, too. Instead of always thinking of what YOU want, think about the pt for a change.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

We had a nurse last year wearing the capri style pants and she dropped a suction canister and it splashed, sending gastric acid all over her legs.

Right after that, capri pants were banned from our hospital.

As for the all white uniform idea, white pants or skirts, I wouldn't want. For one i'd manage to sit in something, because that's Murphy's Law on white pants, wear them and you always get some sort of spot on the butt.

Plus there is just a certain time of the month where white is just the LAST thing i want to WEAR lol.:D

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I personally have yet to meet a nurse who treated me with the "nurses eat their young" mentality. Actually, the first time I heard the phrase was from a director of nursing that indeed said that there is such a thing. I dont want to believe it, and I'm sorry if I offended anyone with mentioning it. Just an opinion.

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Originally posted by ainz

With the issues facing nursing today, the last thing we need is something that erodes credibility or professionalism.

Sexually suggestive clothing is inappropriate in the workplace in any healthcare profession, setting, whether it is being worn by male, female, or anything in between.

I am a male, men perceive low-rider pants on women as sexually suggestive, nursing is over 94% female, it is inappropriate . . . period.

Just wondering if you looked at the scrubs pants in question. They are hardly the low riders that I wear to a club.

I hate the fact that the crotch on scrub pants comes down to my knees!

Empress, well said!

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I've tried everything! I just CAN'T get anything to itch my bellybutton..... guess I just don't have the itchy belly button problem....

Anyhoo, I wear scrubs. I am a professional. I am not trying to make a fashion statement. Low-riders make one lack the look of credibility in and out of the workplace. I save mine for around the house. Guess I value dignity more than trying to show off.....

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I am sick to death of this "nurses eat their young" crap...every time someone differs with a newer nurse it is immediately construed into "eating our young."

Generational differences have always, and will always be a part of our culture. Each generation has their styles, their music, their attitudes and the previous generation will always "question" the motives of a following generation. Elvis, the Beatles, long hair on men, earrings on men, tatooes on women, miniskirts, etc were all at one time considered "taboo" to the generation who preceded them.

I'm Gen X, and the oldest in this group are approaching 40 now. Those leaving high school today are a new generation, with new styles, new tastes, and new attitudes. More power to them! I'm all for professionalism in the workplace (not exposing your midriff/butt crack for instance), but I think it is important to be open-minded if we want to attract a new generation to nursing. Gen Y and Gen X nurses WILL be taking care of the Baby Boomers (largest generation in history) in the very near future. Something to contemplate people!

I just hope when I reach middle age (rapidly approaching) and beyond that I can remain open-minded and relate to those nurses 20 years my junior and 20 years my senior. If not I will go home and listen to my Smiths CDs!

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.
Originally posted by iliel

Just wondering if you looked at the scrubs pants in question. They are hardly the low riders that I wear to a club.

I hate the fact that the crotch on scrub pants comes down to my knees!

Empress, well said!

Agreed.

ainz, would you rather nurses wear the scrub pants in the link, or would you rather they wear ill-fitting, wrinkled scrubs that looked like they came out of a laundry bag and preferring those simply because they don't sit below the navel? THAT certainly isn't professional; it looks like she should be going to a pajama party.

I think if we just all use common sense with regard to dress, we'd all be just fine - low riders or not.

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Specializes in oncology.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, please understand that we young nurses are simply promoting the scrubs shown in the picture. Is there anything wrong with them? That is all we are saying!!!!!!!!!!

Some people are going off track and talking about gum popping, loud makeup wearing, whore smelling women. THAT IS NOT what we are saying is okay in the workplace. Just becuase you like the low rise pants, DOES NOT mean you promote wearing loud makeup, etc.

I mean honestly, IS IT SO BAD IT IS KILLING YOU? Does it really effect your work? If so you are just looking for things to whine about!

SO PLEASE DO NOT CONFUSE THESE SIMPLE LOW RISE, FLARE LEGGED PANTS WITH THE PROMOTION OF LOOKING LIKE A STRIPPER AT WORK!!!!!! WE DO NOT WANT TO SHOW OUR STOMACH AT ALL!!! WE HAVE OUR SHIRTS TUCKED IN!!!!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I think the gerneral opinion's been no-show the middrift/skin and no cracked rear views.

"Some people are going off track and talking about gum popping, loud makeup wearing, whore smelling women. THAT IS NOT what we are saying is okay in the workplace. Just becuase you like the low rise pants, DOES NOT mean you promote wearing loud makeup, etc. " No one SAID anyone thought it was ok for that in the workplace nor was it said that it promoted a sort of tackiness.

"I mean honestly, IS IT SO BAD IT IS KILLING YOU? Does it really effect your work?" In a way it does if someone's (did not say ALL) low-rise pants are hanging too far below the equator. If ppl can see the crack of dawn, that's flat-out gross, and franky not something i'd really want to see as a pt. when my nurse is bent down emptying my Foley.

Heck i like the semi-flare legged pants, that aren't the ones with the cuff dragging the floor. Of course THAT'S not really a problem with me, being 5'10" with 34 inch legs, my main leg problem is making sure i don't look like i'm ready for the flood.

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Specializes in oncology.
Originally posted by LPN2Be2004

I think the gerneral opinion's been no-show the middrift/skin and no cracked rear views.

"Some people are going off track and talking about gum popping, loud makeup wearing, whore smelling women. THAT IS NOT what we are saying is okay in the workplace. Just becuase you like the low rise pants, DOES NOT mean you promote wearing loud makeup, etc. " No one SAID anyone thought it was ok for that in the workplace nor was it said that it promoted a sort of tackiness.

"I mean honestly, IS IT SO BAD IT IS KILLING YOU? Does it really effect your work?" In a way it does if someone's (did not say ALL) low-rise pants are hanging too far below the equator. If ppl can see the crack of dawn, that's flat-out gross, and franky not something i'd really want to see as a pt. when my nurse is bent down emptying my Foley.

Heck i like the semi-flare legged pants, that aren't the ones with the cuff dragging the floor. Of course THAT'S not really a problem with me, being 5'10" with 34 inch legs, my main leg problem is making sure i don't look like i'm ready for the flood.

And if it does KILL you to work with these women you need to learn to mind your own buisiness and do YOUR job and not worry about other people.

If you looked at the picture that someone posted earlier, do you think if she bent over you could in any way see her crack? That is honestly the dumbest thing I have ver heard. I don't think anyone intentionally wants to show off their crack. That is disgusting. If someone is, attack them specifically, not everyone wearing these pants.

And last I am 5'2, so I somtimes have the problem with any pants that they are too long, but I don't let mine drag on the floor.

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