No more fun scrubs

[EJBNeuroRN]

It was recently decided at my place of work that the staff is to change to all one color scrubs, for example, RN's are navy blue, PT is royal blue, LPN's are eggplant...and so on.

The hospital thought it would increase patient satisfaction because they would be able to tell what discipline is assisting them by just looking at the color of their scrubs.

The union is up in arms because we are letting the hospital decide what we wear and how do they reimburse us for all the scrubs we already own. The hospital did respond by giving each staff member a predetermined amount of money to use to buy scrubs based on hours worked.

What are some thoughts about changing to one color scrubs? Has it happened at your hospital? Was it well received or fought by the union?

I'm going to miss all my colors, patterns, and prints. I may have to go out and buy hot pink crocs!

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Im going from a hospital with freedom to wear what you want to one that requires one color like yours. Honestly, it doesnt bother me one bit. I wear loud enough shoes that I dont care ha ha.

[Despareux]

I prefer one color per discipline. I think it looks more professional.

[rn/writer, RN]

A few years ago, the hospital where I work went the other direction. The color we nurses had to wear was getting harder to find. And research within the hospital showed that the patients either didn't remember the color scheme, didn't give a hoot, or both.

I'll tell you this much, staff morale went up with being allowed to wear what we wanted. It's similar to the idea that people who have to work in cubicles do better when they're allowed to decorate and personalize their little bit of space. There's enough regimentation to our jobs without taking away this small flicker of individuality.

Can the union take issue with this edict from on high? I wonder how the suits would feel if they had to dress identically.

[prettymica, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN, APRN, NP]

This happened @ the LTC i used t work for.. LPNs hunter green, CNAs jade green etc.. whatever. Also you could only buy them from the company and it has the company logo and rubber waist-ed pants . This was so they say" family members would be able to identify who was who. Honestly I believe so the company could make more money. They furnished the first 2 and you had to buy the rest about 65 bucks not including a jacket. Needless to say I never paid for any. GOOD LUCK scrub shopping and remember you can always wear them somewhere else :)!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

We used to have to wear all white.......

I like color specific to positions as I have seen patients complaints lessen as they know who the RN is and realize she is there alot. Places I have worked have given a uniform allowance (only if union, non union facilities don't give allowances) they have allowed the different scrub jackets as a consolation for color.

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

The colors don't bother me. What bothers me is they go through all of this so the paitent can easily identify who is helping them, but they never educate the patient on who wears what color.

[rn/writer, RN]

The colors don't bother me. What bothers me is they go through all of this so the paitent can easily identify who is helping them, but they never educate the patient on who wears what color.

Even when they do, it doesn't stick. I don't think the colors matter that much to the patients.

The best way to make sure patients know who their nurses are is to stress the importance of introducing yourself at the beginning of the shift and writing your name on the board in the patient's room. This means a lot to the patients and family members. And it doesn't cost a thing.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

All color coded at hospitals around me for many years now.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

No color coding where I've worked...in fact, in my current facility I could wear business casual if I wanted. Not sure I want to dress that casually just yet

[NurseCard, ADN]

At my hospital, nurses wear royal blue, and MHA's wear ceil blue. I actually like it; I like knowing who is a nurse and

who is an aide without having to look at the name badge. Other personnel wear business casual.

I worked at another hospital where nurses were forced to wear white. It was awful, seeing as how I'm the messiest person alive.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Where I work there has been a policy on 'color codes' for various positions--RNs in ceil blue, techs in green, RT in navy blue, etc... Their has been spotty enforcement. Now the hospital is moving toward not only enforcing the color codes, but also requiring staff to buy scrubs that has the hospital logo on them. We a non-union but we are getting an allowance for buying these new uniforms. Side note: I would be quite disappointed in my union if they spent time getting "up in arms" over standardized scrub colors while ignoring other bigger issues that face the staff.