Nail polish and wraps

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Nov 20, 2014

Well, pretty much every healthcare facility has a policy addressing this. And the policy typically states "Just Say No"!

This is frequently discussed on AN, so if you do a search using key words, you'll likely find more information.

In a nutshell, it'd be a rare facility that would allow you to do ANYTHING to your nails other than cut and file them. Some allow nail color as long as it is kept perfectly manicured; chips allow bacteria to reside under the colored surface. And anything longer than the end of your finger is also a no-no, as germs love living under there, too.

Now, whether a facility enforces their own policy is another issue. But today, with infection control being such a HOT topic....most do.

Editorial Team / Admin · Nov 20, 2014

I'm going to go with every facility has a general policy and some departments may have a stricter policy. I could wear regular nail polish only, no older than 4 days, and chip free. No gel, no acrylic. Based on AORN recommendations. This may be OR specific, not sure if it's hospital wide or if the hospital wide one is less restrictive.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Nov 20, 2014

We're currently amending our policy specifically to ban the jamberry nail decals/ wraps. They weren't in existence when the policy was first written.

Momma1RN, MSN, RN, APRN · Nov 20, 2014

Our policy says that color is okay as long as it isn't chipped. Is it enforced? Errrr...... not sure. I don't wear nail polish, and keep my nails filed and short, because bacteria.

firstinfamily, RN · Nov 21, 2014

In the LTC facility where I once worked there was nail designs, false nails, and long nails were allowed even though the policy stated they were not to be on the clinical staff. At the acute care facility where I currently work short no more than 1/4 inch nails are what the policy states, no false nails, may be painted in conservative colors and well manicured only. No chips, no wild designs etc. I am not sure if there is a separate policy for the OR staff.

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 22, 2014

What the heck is a nail wrap?

Just googled - OMG, some of them are so cool!

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Nov 22, 2014

Every facility I know of in our area says no to anything. Not even clear nail polish. Nails must be clipped short and files appropriately. I understand it's for infection but I wish I could have my nails back! No Jamberry. Those are just and infection waiting to happen.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Nov 22, 2014

It's bad but at my LTC facility I've seen acrylics and I hate to admit it but I'm growing my nails out again :/ I just miss them so much. They're not really strict about it here but I know at other (most) places you can't have nails or nail polish.

FurBabyMom, MSN, RN · Nov 22, 2014

In the LTC facility where I once worked there was nail designs, false nails, and long nails were allowed even though the policy stated they were not to be on the clinical staff. At the acute care facility where I currently work short no more than 1/4 inch nails are what the policy states, no false nails, may be painted in conservative colors and well manicured only. No chips, no wild designs etc. I am not sure if there is a separate policy for the OR staff.

Our facility has a specialized policy for the OR. In fact the surgical services infection control policy is something like over 70 pages with something like 50 pages just about the OR. It's a blessing that the policy is online and searchable within the policy (otherwise we'd never find anything). Right now, our infection control and epidemiology department allow OR and surgical services staff to have nails no longer than 1/4", and perfectly manicured polish (traditional polish or gel polish - no gel nails/acrylics) with no chips/cracks, and in a tasteful color, etc.

I have used gel polish before, and it's nice...until I try to take it off. The folks in the salon say it makes your nails stronger to seal them from outside damaging chemicals, but taking the gel polish off always made my nails seem weaker. As for traditional nail polish? I'm lucky if that lasts a day with the alcohol hand wash (regular hand sanitizer). The waterless scrub solution we can use? That stuff works really well to remove traditional nail polish (and really anything else - marker/dyes of any kind, etc). Also, my nails are rarely longer than the tip of my finger as they break too darn easily.

nf nurse · Jan 20, 2015

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like we are all in agreement.