why nurses cannot have a nail polish..?

Nurses Safety

Published

im just wondering why nurses cannot paint their nails during duty...??

is it a general rule or only to the hospital where i work..

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You should not wear nail polish period because when it is chipped it can trap bacteria.

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you got a point.. can maintain short and trim nails but with colors :)

i think, maybe, its because of simplicity.

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Specializes in Future DNP.

it's not considered professional. when you're constantly washing and scrubbing your hands, the nail polish chips off really easily and makes it look unprofessional. ive never heard of the bacteria one.

do you think maybe it's because when you have nail polish on you're really careful to not chip the polish and therefore you're not scrubbing your hands as you should?

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true i agree..

i forgot about scrubbing.. i haven't been in OR for long time. thats valid and acceptable reason. thanks.

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I seldom wear nail polish anyway. But I always assumed it had more to do with you can not see if there is dirt under your nails if they have polish on them? I guess if it was clear polish that wouldn't apply?

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

Both of the hospitals in my area allow nail polish if it is a soft reasonable color that is well maintained free of chips, nails are short and clean. The policy says you are supposed to change the polish every 3 days.

I usually go polish free.

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Specializes in Obs & gynae theatres.

For infection prevention reasons. As stated previously, chips can harbour bacteria. Plus the patient really doesn't want those chips in their wounds, medication or food.

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Specializes in MSP, Informatics.

Our hospital only banns fake nails, because of the risk of carrying bacteria. I think even JCAHO mentions it in one of their standards.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Can't find a color to match my beard.

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Specializes in acute care med/surg, LTC, orthopedics.

I still work with nurses who have long perfect nails, french manicures and big honking rings and bracelets on. Personally I find it repulsive, the hospital ain't no fashion show.

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I work on a M/S floor and I wear nail polish. No coworkers or managers have mentioned anything about them. I do keep my nails trimmed, so it's almost impossible to get dirt under them. And, I do just about everything with gloves on, so the patients don't usually get to see my nails. I wear my nail polish for at least a week before changing the color.

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