Nail Manicures

[SamiGee]

Just wanted some feedback from nurses. My facility allows nurses to have get nail manicure including polish, gels, and dip powders. Just wondering if if anyone has these manicures and if they hold up with frequent hand washing and rolling and lifting patients constantly.

Please save your comments about how "real nurses don't wear nails." I practice hand hygiene and wear gloves and wash hands all day. It doesn't make me any less of a nurse.

Thanks in advance!

[morbidlycurious]

Right now I'm rocking natural nails, but when I wear gel polish, I have them on the short side in a neutral color. I can usually get away with almost 4 weeks, with using hand lotion regularly. Brighter colors will make new nail growth stand out.

[Persephone Paige, ADN]

I graduated before they had done all the studies they have out now. That being said, I have had fake nails before and I loved them. I felt so pretty in them. And on occasion, I will have a random thought about going out and getting them. But, it only lasts a few minutes, because I can't unknow what I now know.

Even thought gloves are used during every patient interaction now, I'd need to be able to count on every nurse being just as fastidious as I am. And, I can't do that. Every surface I touch is a potential for contamination, when I think about touching my face when I get home, I get nervous. Yuck!

Then, I stop thinking about nails for a while, then it will come back. Then, I think about germs around my eyes, nose, mouth and pores and it goes away again. And round and round I go... I have short nails now, purposely. Any beauty I might feel because of the nails is going to be engulfed by intrusive thoughts of germs. When I break it down, it's just not worth it. So, I'm taking my stand in the 'ugly' in favor of cleanliness corner.

Blech!