I have been more aware lately that there are all sorts of people wearing scrubs.... dietary, housekeeping, and just recently, I noticed the hairdresser at the LTC where I do agency staffing wearing scrubs.
It really bugs me.... I worked long and hard to be an LPN, and feel that if you are NOT in medicine, you should not wear scrubs.
Along those lines.... I would LOVE to see a "color" code.... ie, nursing wears bright prints, lab wears ____, etc.....
It kinda bugs me...But not that much. I mean, for what purpose does a recptionist at a nursing home need to wear scrubs for? It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but I'm not going to go and tell someone that they have no right to be wearing what their wearing as long as its not offensive or inappropriate. I mean, lets face it. Alot of prisons have their inmates wear them.
Sometime back our hospital was going to make nurses start wearing all white again, because patients/visitors couldn't tell us from housekeeping/dietary/pharmacy staff, etc..
We argued that nurses have worn scrubs longer than anyone- that is why everyone thinks anyone in scrubs is a nurse- so the nursing staff should be the ones who keep scrubs, and everyone else should
change. (there are a lot of nice looking uniforms for these other disciplines).
Sometime back our hospital was going to make nurses start wearing all white again, because patients/visitors couldn't tell us from housekeeping/dietary/pharmacy staff, etc..
We argued that nurses have worn scrubs longer than anyone- that is why everyone thinks anyone in scrubs is a nurse- so the nursing staff should be the ones who keep scrubs, and everyone else should
change. (there are a lot of nice looking uniforms for these other disciplines).
I'd love to have the white uniforms again! I think they are so much more professional looking, and people can tell right away that the person is a nurse by the uniform. It would be nice if CNA's still got to wear the cute pink and white candy striper uniforms as well, which were basically the same as the nurse outfit except minus the hat but having pink stripes on the dress. Oh well.
Our housekeeping staff started wearing scrubs because of the dirty job they do. They end up handling a lot of the same contaminated articles that the nursing staff does.
I don't feel threatened by other professions wearing scrubs. It's a cheap way to have a uniform look that is easy to care for and it's comfortable to work in.
We have a lot of nurses at my place that are in administrative or computer information positions (who don't care for patients) but tstill wear scrubs. The other members of these departments wear dress clothes, but the nurses are used to the scrubs from their years on the floor and they like wearing them.
It bothers me somewhat that other departments wear scrubs. But the main thing for me is the confusion that it creates. Almost every department in my facility wears scrubs and it's confusing for the families and resident. They don't know who to ask for what.
Not sure if it is the right answer for every facility, or even the right answer in general. I have read through several of these threads on Allnurses, and it seems that the same concerns and responses get stated eventually...
I've been wearing scrubs for years in the dental office, and find them very comfortable. But, I had instuctor (VERY old school - wore the white uniform to clinicals) who went off on a rant during lecture one day about how did we expect MDs and patients to treat us w/ respect when we came to work in our cartoon themed pyjamas every day. It wasn't enough to make buy new white dresses when I was increasing my professional wardrobe, but I was a little more deliberate and selective about prints (and solids) that I chose...
Eeeek. Not nursing related, that reminds me of when I was in Target earlier this season scanning for my wedding registry. I was wearing a red thermal and olive green cargo pants and I had the scanner in my hand. I was musing over artwork with my fiancee when this lady walked up and asked if the store had electric blankets. I sort of just looked at her and said "well I am sure they do, however I haven't come across them while I was shopping" she did a double take and apologized profusely and ran off.
The clerk at the desk got a good laugh over it when I was turning in the scanner gun :)
I think it's funny too. Why would the lady feel the need to apoligize profusely? It was an honest mistake. I've done it more than once.
That was interesting, Thanks. I was thinking about getting a patch or two since I'm the only nurse on duty during my shift in medical imaging. I often get asked, even by the radiologist, about why I did a sagital view instead of a whatever view. I dunno know, I'm a nurse!
I've thought about the patch, I've thought about just having all scrubs embroidered (like a lab jacket). I haven't done anything yet, mostly 'cause I've had bigger fish to fry...
Specializes in ICU, CCU,Wound Care,LTC, Hospice, MDS.
Hello,
What do I think? I think that wearing scrubs is like walking around in floppy looking, ill fitting pajamas all day...Hmph. I do not feel like it makes me look professional at all and wish that I was not required to wear them.
Gen
I agree. If I could find regular nursing uniforms, I would buy them! But I haven't seen any in at least fifteen years. Uniform shops only carry scrubs.
We still have regular nursing uniforms for nurses who work in the ward areas. They aren't really the most attractive you have to take them home and wash them. I'm glad i get to wear the scrubs, less hassle and someone else washes them.
I agree with the color coding idea, it would be helpful for staff to recognize who is a doc, who is a nurse etc.
I prefer the unisex cargo pants by Dickies with a fitted scrub top. I think fitted tops look a little more tidy than the traditional square style. I like the big side pockets on the cargos because I can put my PDA in one pocket and my phone in the other. I try to avoid big flashy prints and stick with solids or small prints in muted tones. With a pair of clean shoes in good repair, I think this can look quite professional.
At my facility, only clinical staff wears scrubs, although some of the housekeepers wear scrub tops with blue jeans. The phlebotomists, echo techs, EKG techs, etc., all wear collared shirts with slacks and a white lab coat. The kitchen and dietary workers wear black bottoms and white tops.
Ginny Weasley
64 Posts
It kinda bugs me...But not that much. I mean, for what purpose does a recptionist at a nursing home need to wear scrubs for? It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but I'm not going to go and tell someone that they have no right to be wearing what their wearing as long as its not offensive or inappropriate. I mean, lets face it. Alot of prisons have their inmates wear them.