Being an individual

[Circulate]

Hi, I'm still in nursing school, but wanted to know if there was any way to be an individual in the workplace. I'm talking pure fashion here. Is there anything you can wear, shoes, laces, variations in scrubs, pins on scrubs, sock choices, etc etc etc. Anything someone can do to set themselves apart in a sea of everyone wearing the same gear?

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

You can Always wear whatever fancy or exotic underwear of your choosing!

Let's hope that is not what causes him to "stand out" at work.

[Julius Seizure]

I've worked in hospitals where one could wear anything the wanted (with common decency applying), didn't even have to be scrubs actually.

I've also worked in hospitals where you had to wear scrubs and they had to be one certain shade of blue, and scrub jackets and undershirts had to be only white, and shoes could only be white, blue, or black.

So it really depends on where you work. Where allowed, I like to choose shoes in colors that I like, and wear various colored or patterned undershirts. Other than that, I keep it simple - solid colored scrubs and a black jacket. Just because its what I like. :)

When it comes to jewelry, obviously there are a lot of limitations. The only thing I would mention is that I would be careful if you choose to wear earrings because if you have to wear PPE masks, you will inevitably get you earrings caught taking them off at some point...and ouch.

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

I wore my T-shirt on backwards and inside out once. i didn't notice until I was having a discussion with my boss. We had a good laugh over that.

Yeah, I've done that more than once. One time just backwards but I caught myself before anyone saw me. The other time I wasn't so lucky. My friend from high school used me as a reference for his job application with the NSA. I had worked six 12hr shifts in a row and overslept when the interviewer for the agency was knocking at my front door. I jumped out of bed, grabbed a pair of scrubs to wear, threw on a pair of glasses I hadn't worn in over five years (no time to put in the contacts) and ran to answer the door bedhead and all. Only after he left after questioning me about my friend for over an hour I went into my bathroom, looked in the mirror and saw that I had sat one foot across from the guy at my kitchen table with my print scrub top inside out and backwards...what a character reference I must have been!

[scaredsilly, BSN, RN]

Me too! And like you said, nobody noticed. I don't care how many years go by I still cannot get used to waking up at 5am. One day I walked into the bathroom before starting my shift and luckily noticed my top was on backwards! Luckily I fixed that one before anyone saw me. Lets just say I'm not the least interested in making a fashion statement. I just wash 'em, wear 'em, and go!

Exactly! Besides, I think its the "individuals" that killed out there! Be glad you are part of a team, embrace it! They will have your back because you are one of them not because you looked good at work!

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

You can be an individual and still be part of the team. They aren't mutually exclusive.

[SmilingBluEyes]

You can also stand out in your daily work performance and how you treat others. Being above the fray, refusing to feed the gossip machine and being truly appreciative and kind....believe me, you will stand out.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

Depends on where you work. We wear all black hospital issued scrubs, only white or black short sleeve tshirts under, solid black jacket. No rings, watches or bracelets. We do wear funky shoes and socks though :)

[Overland1, RN]

If you want to "stand out", do so with a "safety" twist to it. Do not wear your stethoscope around your neck (looks incredibly cool on TV, but this is real life). Stuff it in a sufficiently large pocket or, if wearing a holster with shears, etc., hang it over that. Having been the one to stop an agitated malefactor from choking a nurse with that nurse's 'scope, I will readily attest that looking cool is not always the safest way to practice.

[AspiringNurseMW]

Isn't this a duplicate post?

[Red Kryptonite]

Jeez, I really need to learn to check which forum I'm posting in when I look at "what's new" in the app. Sorry, I guess fancy hair bands aren't a useful suggestion for most guys.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Isn't this a duplicate post?

yes it is

[RNperdiem, RN]

I wouldn't worry about standing out, but there is nothing wrong with trying to look your best in a way that is work appropriate. If you have long hair, find a couple of different ways to wear it up or back that will still look good 12 hours later. If a certain color uniform is required, try different brands to find a flattering fit. I personally like the Gray's Anatomy scrubs, they have a little shaping compared to the very baggy scrubs. Some subtle and flattering makeup does a lot for my face, but there isn't usually time at work for a touch up, so after 12 hours, little is left.