To the smokers I work with, please do yourselves and patients a favor by brushing your teeth after smoking. the smell of smoke makes me gag, and I feel sorry for your already nauseated patients.
To the supervisor that baths in his cologne... don't. it smells horrible.
To the nurse with the huge blond hair. it looks like a bomb was set off in your hair. did you use a whole bottle of stiff on it? and you may want to wear better fitting scrubs, I'm curvy as well, but I don't like to show my curves at work.
Yes, I do like to wear make up and manicured nails( no chipping, or fakes nails) to work everyday. not only does it make me feel good but patients notice as well. looks are first impressions, and I like to make a good one.
I'm starting to agree with my overseas friends that people in this country are waaaaayy too sensitive when it comes to any type of constructive criticism.
Whether or not something is constructive is a matter of opinion. By my measure, the criticism needs to be useful and valid, for one thing. And it also needs to be given with the intent of building someone up.
Whether or not this post meets that criteria is debatable. .
. . . I had to have a heart to heart conversation with one nurse who had really offensive BO, and she told me that her boyfriend LOVES the way her natural smell radiates from her...so I had to let her know that her pt's didn't share the same sentiments, and that she should shower during the work week so we ALL didn't have to deal with the 'radiation'. . . .
This may be waay off thread but - Hey, am I the only one who has ever had to 'counsel' staff nurses about their underwear choices??? Over the years as an ICU manager and educator, I have had to do this on a fairly regular basis. Brightly patterned bikini undies under white scrubs - not a good look. But, better than the time I had to talk to a male nurse about going commando -- with white scrubs again (AWK!!)
And then there was the time I took the very disheveled nurse aside and told her that she looked as though she had slept on the beach the night before. Her response? She had - didn't have time to go back home and clean up before work. She earned a trip to the Anesthesia staff room for a quick shower & clean scrubs.
I really appreciate all the 'totally put together' people, but it's never been my priority. It's a crazy random world --- and I think that's just great.
Whether or not something is constructive is a matter of opinion. By my measure, the criticism needs to be useful and valid, for one thing. And it also needs to be given with the intent of building someone up.
Whether or not this post meets that criteria is debatable. .
What exactly did she say that was so rude/out of line? Try to clear off any cigarrete smoke you may be carrying, don't overdo it with cologne/perfume, don't show up to work looking like you just fell out of bed, wear appropriately sized clothing. I mean people are going to take offense to that? Seriously?
Jasel, constructive criticism builds others up, but this poster is tearing others down while elevating herself. By many here, that is not considered constructive criticism, but rather, holier-than-thou preaching.
I don't take issue with the message that folks should practice good personal hygeine in the workplace. I happen to agree. It's the way the message is delivered that I consider very off-putting.
What exactly did she say that was so rude/out of line? Try to clear off any cigarrete smoke you may be carrying, don't overdo it with cologne/perfume, don't show up to work looking like you just fell out of bed, wear appropriately sized clothing. I mean people are going to take offense to that? Seriously?
I said it was debatable...not that I was interested debating it, personally.
I'd hazard a guess that the overall tone was the aggravator of the few people that seemed to be offended. Complaining and insulting while telling us how awesomely professional she is.
Like I said...intent to build someone up, versus tear them down. Ranting on the Internet is rarely meant to be constructive.
I'll also add that there are always clues to the actual agenda behind someone's words. In this case, I'd say it's the comment about the woman with blonde hair.
I think nurses should look professional and that amounts to being showered, clean hair and clothing, and nails that are clean and trimmed. We should also be considerate of the people we work with, and that means brushing teeth and not wearing an overwhelming scent. Most of the rest is who ever you want to be. We are all unique individuals, and it is difficult to be so sometimes when there are so many rules and regulations in a hospital concerning appearance. Some mornings I feel like part of a nurse army walking into work in my blue scrubs with my fellow RNs. Some of us are just ,way too judgmental of others.
I worked with a Vet (male) who once told my VT friend/supervisor, who was standing next to me, that she should start putting on make-up so it alteast looked like she trys (to look attractive?). This was not part of a personal conversation, we were discussing scrub colors, dress code, etc. My mouth was just hanging open, I didn't even know what to say! She didn't say anything, she was always letting him run her over. If it was me I would have come to work the next day with hooker make-up on.
"Yet here you are bashing other people. That is not very Christian."
I just could not resist this...I live in the bible belt, and from what I go through and see as an atheist on a daily basis, the christians in my area are the first to look down on someone and be judgemental. No all of course, but in my lifetime I could count on one hand the amount of true christians I have ever met. Off topic but couldn't let it slide.
Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
"Yet here you are bashing other people. That is not very Christian."
I just could not resist this...I live in the bible belt, and from what I go through and see as an atheist on a daily basis, the christians in my area are the first to look down on someone and be judgemental. No all of course, but in my lifetime I could count on one hand the amount of true christians I have ever met. Off topic but couldn't let it slide.
Like you, PTP, I also live in the Bible belt. I have also experienced the judgment of Christians...my sister-in-law wouldn't even attend my wedding because she didn't believe that a divorced woman should re-marry, even though the very man that she had married-my brother-was divorced! Hypocritical? Absolutely. Do I let it take up rental space in my mind? Not even for a minute. She has the right to feel the way she does. It matters not to me.
As I stated earlier, the only thing that one can do is to be an example for others. If you hold yourself to a certain standard, then you should concentrate on maintaining that standard instead of mentally degrading those who don't hold your own set of standards. Influence is usually achieved by finding a truly comfortable and confident sense of self and by living it. "Walk the talk". It isn't up to any of us to judge, but if we really want to make a difference, we only have to focus on how well we receive others and how well we present ourselves; with honesty, integrity and a sense of acceptance.
I have been a nurse for many years, and I think it is more important to come to work clean versus polished. I was taught in training to have my hair kept up off my shoulders, no dangling earrings, rings with stones, bracelets, necklaces. Nails trimmed and clean. Shoes clean (not that they went home that way). I have seen nurses today wearing hoop earrings (wait until someone latches onto that), and Pandora bracelets. I always chose a simple haircut that was quick to get ready for the day (remember the Dorothy Hamill haircut?) I think makeup is a personal issue, but don't forget to use a little deoderant. I have had to counsel staff who needed some enlightening regarding their hygiene, it is not comfortable for either party. I would like to think we are all aware one can work up a sweat after along hard day, but coming to work smelling of old BO is quite different.
I may be wrong, but OnlybyHisGrace seems to have some kind of personal vendetta against someone! I have not known any nurse who smells like they bath in cologne. Where I work all nurses are required to keep their hair off their collar and are not allowed to have any unnatural hair color. Not everyone wants to wear make up and should not be forced expected to. As for wearing scrubs that do not show your curves - get a life! nurses do not deliberately wear scrubs that are too small. Oh yes, how do you have so much time to spend concerning yourself with how your colleagues present themselves for work everyday? Real nurses spend their time on patient care.
Stephalump
2,723 Posts
Whether or not something is constructive is a matter of opinion. By my measure, the criticism needs to be useful and valid, for one thing. And it also needs to be given with the intent of building someone up.
Whether or not this post meets that criteria is debatable. .