how many uniforms to buy?

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I'm starting nursing school this fall and my orientation is in June. We are going to be fitted for uniforms then and order small equipment. My question is: How many uniforms should I have? I would think that I would need more than one but I'm not sure exactly how many.

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Ours had to be ordered 3 weeks ahead of time so our school logo could be embroidered on them. Had I not at least had one extra and something happened to one, like a bad stain, tear or something, I wouldn't have been able to go to clinical which would have led to getting dropped from the program.

I think it's best to at least have one back up set. Just something to think about.

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At least two, one to wear and one as backup. After that it depends on how often you do laundry and maybe how much backup you need to feel comfortable.

Hm, I probably don't need to say this, but I wouldn't label a particular one as backup. I'd alternate them so they fade and/or wear evenly and the tops/bottoms stay interchangable.

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My uniform fitting is in June as well and my school recommends buying at least two sets. Our school uniforms are all white, so Im definitely getting two sets. But I agree with previous posters, you never know what could happen so its best to get more than one.

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They do uniform fittings? Yikes, that has to be expensive.

I'm very happy that my school only requires plain navy scrubs and school patches. I got a couple of sets on sale online for much less than the bookstore charges. I got two for this semester because I have one clinical/week but I got free shipping with two sets, and I have three clinicals/week next semester so I'll be using them.

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My school has us go to a specific uniform shop and order our uniform. It's about $75/set.

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My school has us go to a specific uniform shop and order our uniform. It's about $75/set.

Seriously? Can't you buy your own set somewhere else? Look at All Heart for scrubs, they have a ton of brands and maybe you can get something similar there without getting ripped off.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
My school has us go to a specific uniform shop and order our uniform. It's about $75/set.

Same here, but we figured out by second semester we can just order the bottoms online or from elsewhere as long as it's the same brand so the colors match up. The tops and the jacket though we have to get at the embroidery shop and it is expensive.

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Seriously? Can't you buy your own set somewhere else? Look at All Heart for scrubs, they have a ton of brands and maybe you can get something similar there without getting ripped off.

No. We absolutely have to get the specific set from the specific store. Our uniform consists of pants, a top, a jacket and embroidered emblems. It's the same uniform we use all 4 semesters though, and each semester has 2 clinical days/week so you aren't paying for something you won't use.

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You should complain to your school. I didn't even spend $75 on my Littman. That embroidery shop is making $$$$ off of you guys.

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You should complain to your school. I didn't even spend $75 on my Littman. That embroidery shop is making $$$$ off of you guys.

Eh, I have no reason to complain. They're expensive because they're actually uniforms rather than scrubs and we have the embroidered emblems. I'll have to wear then 2 days/week for 4 semesters so it's not like it's a waste of money.

We also save money on other things. At orientation, my school provides us with our kits for clinicals so we don't have to buy stethoscopes, BP cuffs or anything.

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My price for 2 sets of nice scrubs, patches, and the dry cleaner to sew on the patches: $50.

Just saying.

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Uniforms are more expensive than scrubs.

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