Male Chest Hair and Scrub Tops

[Thunderwolf]

What is your vote?

Should a male nurse wearing a scrub top and has chest hair be required to wear a T shirt underneath in order to cover up the chest hair?

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Eh, I don't care if you've got a unibrow, mustache, hairy chest or hairy mole, I'm not going to say you have to get rid of it.

Sorry but unibrow have gotta go...LOL

[POTR]

Actually, you 'yelled' "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE SHAVE IT!!"

And since you now mention shaving prior to procedures along with your long experience, I'll simply point out that traditionally, surgical sites primarily were shaved with disposable razors due to the belief that hair would interfere with proper wound closure and healing. And it is NOT best practice.

Current studies basically show that shaving actually causes more problems than anything else, increasing the risks of infection. In fact, AORN’s Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines specifically state that hair should be left at the surgical site unless the Physician orders that it be removed.

Clipping is generally much safer, IF hair has to be removed, as there is nearly no risk of skin damage, and that is what recent studies recommend, IF hair removal is deemed necessary due to location or excessive growth. Clipping does not get close to the skin and leaves stubble, which would presumbably be just as unsightly, and much more itchy/friction producing. Of course this is where most 'hard to remove' microbes will be located, near the skin and root, so, not buying the 'cleanliness' argument.

I think I'll look much better if I don't give MRSA a better chance to eat a nice hole in my chest by damaging my skin.

And as to me and my preferences, you're incorrect. I just don't think imposing my own preferences of what is 'unsightly' or not on others is professional.

[I_LOVE_TRAUMA, RN]

Just saying... The original question was how we think it LOOKS, and should it be covered or not, plain & simple. It had nothing to do with the risks of infection associated with shaving, & I think most nurses do not need a theology or biology lesson on body hair. I only mentioned the shaving thing because you spoke of how wrong it is. IF it is properly covered, and you protect yourself, how would you possibly get MRSA anyways? I shave my legs everyday, how is that any different?

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

I think it is funny when people say that their wife or girlfriend thinks it looks nice/sexy and use that as the reason they don't cover it at work. My man loves my cleavage but I don't display that at work.

Still small children are unlikely to die if chest hair peeps out. Now excessive shoulder hair... in the name of all things holy please cover that stuff up I don't care what your other half says they are lying. LOL

I am just saying.....

[I_LOVE_TRAUMA, RN]

I agree, that's all I'm saying.. I don't let my chest hang out of my scrubs...not professional, & men shouldn't either. I wear a t-shirt so my breasts are very covered...men should have to cover their stuff up as well as well.

[POTR]

Just saying... The original question was how we think it LOOKS, and should it be covered or not, plain & simple. It had nothing to do with the risks of infection associated with shaving, & I think most nurses do not need a theology or biology lesson on body hair. I only mentioned the shaving thing because you spoke of how wrong it is. IF it is properly covered, and you protect yourself, how would you possibly get MRSA anyways? I shave my legs everyday, how is that any different?

Actually, I only presented the God theory after you yelled about shaving "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD." Was not the focus of my point at all.

If my skin gets chewed up from shaving, it doesn't matter what is covering or not covering. T-shirts are not bio-hazard protection.

How would one get MRSA? Mainly from misinformed Nurses that aren't as clean as they think they are, not keeping aseptic technique and sharing their colony with others.

[ikaryuu]

So a lot of pages have gone but not going to go through each one. To answer the topic.. Cover the chest hair.

[PatMac10,RN, RN]

I personally think sometimes it looks un-neat and unclean (according to the person), but it shouldn't be mandatory. I personally wear a t-shirt under my scrubs.

Haha! Hilairious thread!

[xGuYx]

i dont think they should!

[Carrie_MTC]

Shave the chest hair or wear a t-shirt

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

If the chest is clean, let it out! What's wrong with some hair where it's perfectly natural?

[sleepysnr]

some chest hair is fine but if you have a jungle then you need to trim. guys have to keep their faces neat so why not their chests?