Required to wear girly scrubs

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Apr 22, 2005

You think lavender is bad...our poor guys had to wear PINK tops and white pants for a while :chuckle Our ICU's where purple and there are lots of guys there. Are there other guys in the NICU there? What are they wearing? You make the best of it, esp. if you really want the job.

And most places don't issue hospital laundered scrubs for NICU anymore...there have been studies on infection, and it really didn't matter. All places in our hospital purchase their own scrubs.

butterflynurse03, RN · Apr 22, 2005

Hi All,
I have a bit of a dilemma on my hands. I am considering accepting a position in a Level III NICU, and just found out from the staff that I will be required to wear lavender scrubs or all-white scrubs. Lavender I could MAYBE deal with, but all white and even lavender almost makes me want to reconsider. How am I supposed to maintain any dignity while wearing those colors? Any suggestions? Should I approach the manager? Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks!

Our floor color is lavender as well and none of our male nurses have had any problems with it. If it really bothers you, speak to the manager. Maybe you can wear deep purple or some such. But in truth, do you really think the babies will care?

SmilingBluEyes · Apr 22, 2005

I doubt the babies are what concern the OP. The babies are not the psychologic issue in any NICU, anyhow. We all know NICU personnel are caring as much for the FAMILIES as the babies.

I sympathize. It seems lavendar is a bit unreasonable....but white is ok, isn't it?

mattsmom81 · Apr 22, 2005

I had to smile reading this. One of my favorite coworkers was a traveler in my Texas ICU. He wore the neatest pressed scrubs in solid colors...'easter egg colors' bright yellow, hot pink, purple, lavander. It was like his badge of honor...and nobody would DARE question a 'girlyman image'!! He took zero crap from anyone, and was a joy to work with too...sharp as a whip.

He always looked great too. Finally our manager pressured him to wear 'our' scrubs...she let him go when he said no. I don't think travelers should be forced to buy new scrubs every position.

I guess in different parts of the country guys might resist wearing these colors, but its quite acceptable in others..

lady_jezebel · Apr 22, 2005

Hi All,
I have a bit of a dilemma on my hands. I am considering accepting a position in a Level III NICU, and just found out from the staff that I will be required to wear lavender scrubs or all-white scrubs. Lavender I could MAYBE deal with, but all white and even lavender almost makes me want to reconsider. How am I supposed to maintain any dignity while wearing those colors? Any suggestions? Should I approach the manager? Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks!

What is "girly" about all white???? Or light purple for that matter? Our hospital scrubs are baby blue -- is that girly or manly? I can understand flowers being over the top, but I think you're being silly.

LT Dave · Apr 26, 2005

I would not wear that girlie scrubs. Wear a nice set of normal male colored scrubs and if any one give you trouble file an EEO complaint! I have a BLACK pair I wear in the ICU and ER on weekends. I do not even like the zRoyle blue scubs we wear in the unit so I wear green. White is not pratical. Lavender... :chuckle

Nurse Ratched, RN · Apr 26, 2005

Dude, my hubby likes to shop international male. Here's a recent purchase... (The shirt, not the pants lol.)

Trust me, you're man enough.

nursesinabox · Apr 26, 2005

I would not wear that girlie scrubs. Wear a nice set of normal male colored scrubs and if any one give you trouble file an EEO complaint! I have a BLACK pair I wear in the ICU and ER on weekends. I do not even like the zRoyle blue scubs we wear in the unit so I wear green. White is not pratical. Lavender... :chuckle

uh...white's not practical??? Why? Could it be that it shows the dirt, because I think that's the WHOLE POINT!!!!!!!!

wsmbarn03 · Apr 27, 2005

There is too much of this do as we say or we can and will make life hard for you. Do some research in the hospital handbook/guidelines and see if you can find a loophole. If all else fails tell them that you are allergic.

Hi All,
I have a bit of a dilemma on my hands. I am considering accepting a position in a Level III NICU, and just found out from the staff that I will be required to wear lavender scrubs or all-white scrubs. Lavender I could MAYBE deal with, but all white and even lavender almost makes me want to reconsider. How am I supposed to maintain any dignity while wearing those colors? Any suggestions? Should I approach the manager? Any feedback is appreciated.
Thanks!

nursemike, ASN, RN · Apr 28, 2005

Faced with this choice, I think I would wear white. But I do feel for you. "Feminine" color schemes could well be seen as a subtle form of discrimination. Lavender or pink certainly don't sound like they were chosen with much consideration for what a male might be comfortable in. On the other hand, I would be pretty reluctant to ask that everyone invest in all new scrubs to suit my taste.

One nurse at my hospital wears white Dickies and a white polo. He looks pretty sharp, he has a belt to hold his pants up, and I have no idea what color or style his underwear is.

I think I would lobby for a more neutral scheme, next time they change. (From what I hear, they always change.)

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Apr 28, 2005

Now, filing an complaint is just plain silly. Most places are going to whites or all one color, you make the best of it if you really want the job. Our guys will even where pink panther shirts and one has bought some "girly" prints...the parents love the quirkiness and all the dads love our guys, no matter what they wear. One of the others has Elvis tops he wears...very cool :rolleyes:

nursemike, ASN, RN · Apr 28, 2005

Now, filing an complaint is just plain silly. Most places are going to whites or all one color, you make the best of it if you really want the job. Our guys will even where pink panther shirts and one has bought some "girly" prints...the parents love the quirkiness and all the dads love our guys, no matter what they wear. One of the others has Elvis tops he wears...very cool

I seriously doubt if would seem silly if you were the one who found your required uniform embarrassing. I, for one, am not suggesting making a federal case of it, but I don't think it's a bit unreasonable to ask--to demand--that employers take into consideration that some nurses they hire will be males.

I've also heard female nurses express dismay over pink unis--they don't feel they were hired to be pretty or feminine, or even to color-coordinate with the wallpaper.

Doctors are recognized as professionals because the vast majority of them insist upon it, and they don't come to work in Elvis tops.