Nursing School Dress Code: All White Scrubs

loriangel14, RN · May 26, 2006

I have found that Marks Work Warehouse carries the best white scrubs.The ones I got were fairly heavy and still pretty comfortable.We were required to wear white for our placements only.Most people (including me) groaned about the white I grew to like them.Keeping them clean was a problem but I did the best I could with bleach.Good luck.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 26, 2006

as far as seeing through the fabric, you have to look at what is on the rack. i believe that cherokee has a thicker fabric, but i could be wrong. i suggest that if you are worried about see through that you at least wear a camisole under your scrub top and the same camisole type underpants. i used to buy my scrubs mail order from tafford and i liked that their fabrics were thicker. we used to often use patient gowns to protect our uniforms when cleaning up messes--just throw them in the dirty laundry when we were done. if the hospital allows warm up jackets consider wearing one over your white scrub top. you can get them in plain white and pastels as well as prints from tafford.

as far as keeping them stain free (that is the real concern, right?). . .if you notice any blood on them, get hydrogen peroxide on the spot while it's wet to try to get out as much of the blood as you can. once home, zout, perm-press or the stain removers the uniform stores sell worked into the blood stain until it starts to look like its fading and allowed to sit on the fabric for 15 or 20 minutes before putting the garment into the washing machine will usually get blood out. i found that the same stain removers worked with almost all other body fluids as well--apply, rub it in and let sit a bit before laundering. the armpits of white uniforms will accumulate a residue from the ingredients in deodorants and develop a gray discoloration. a application to those areas with these same stain removers every once in awhile, as well as to any body oils on collars will take care of those as well. the only problem stain is ink--that one you are on your own with. it is important that you check every inch of your white uniforms for stains and treat them before you put them into the wash. once a stain goes through one wash cycle with detergent it will be set and nearly impossible to remove.

mad9 · May 26, 2006

Thanks for the helpful info. Since I live in Canada and Mark's is nearby I'll go check them out first. I'll ask about the warm up jackets, only solid white I'm afraid. Do you know off hand if they have painter style scrub pants in white at Mark's? I hear pockets are a nurses best friend, so they'll be a nursing best friend too!

The stain remover tips are excellent. Thanks so much:flowersfo

MIA-RN1, RN · May 26, 2006

In my school we were supposed to wear crest brand but by the final semester we were mostly just wearing the required shirt and whatever brand white pants we were comfy in. My vote is always on cherokee workwear.

Wear underwear that matches your skin tone and a white or skin-tone tank top under your shirt.

Oxyclean is a miracle stain remover IMHO.

abbythetabby · May 26, 2006

Yep, we have to wear whites too. And are were all required to wear the same brand/style of sheer pants. I think we will have a bonfire at graduation and burn the darn things! Anyone want to join us?

SouthernLPN2RN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · May 26, 2006

The Tide pen works wonders on small splatters of betadine.

luvmy2angels · May 26, 2006

Hey, at least you get to wear scrubs!! We had to wear a YUCKY uniform that was UGLY and UNCOMFORTBALE!! Good luck in school!!

WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN · May 26, 2006

I wear all white.... we weren't required to by my school, as we had another awful uniform, but where I did my externship required whites. In my last quarter during my preceptorship, I didn't want to purchase any other scrubs, since we were allowed to wear what ever we wanted, so I wore my whites.

I have found that Landau is the best brand. The frabic is not too see through, and with skin tone undies, you can't see them at all! The fabric is also the softest out of any scrubs I have ever felt... they almost feel like t-shirt material! THey are great...

As far as keeping them clean, I personally dont' bleach them... somehow when I bleach, things turn yellow, and I didn't want that to happen. But I do agree with the other poster that mentioned the tide pen... whoever invented it I just want to kiss! IT's the greatest thing ever! For stains I find when I'm washing laundry, I use the stuff by spray-n-wash that is a dual action... it's got both pink and clear liquid that combine when you squeeze it out on the stains... It takes out mysterious stains on scrubs and ink, both before you wash them, and also after they have been washed and dried...

Good luck with your whites! They really aren't as bad as everyone seems to think they are!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 26, 2006

The best material for pants is white stretch poplin if you can find it and you can sew. It's similar to denim and you definitely can't see through it. The hospital that I worked for years ago used to buy white warm up jackets in bulk and sell them to the nurses since at that time pastel and prints were absolutely not even on the horizon. They didn't like us wearing the patient gowns over our uniforms for extra warmth all the time--looked tacky.

When it comes to getting out whole blood or betadine stains you really need to make sure that the stain has started to come out with whatever you are using before putting it through a detergent wash. Those are the two toughest stains to remove and they will permanently stain cloth.

Something else you can do is treat a new uniform with Scotch Fabric Guard if the manufacturer hasn't already done it. It helps prevent fluids from being absorbed into the fabric and taking on the stain. Treat them outside where there is air circulating as it stinks and you don't want to breathe in the fumes.

Pbe · May 26, 2006

My advice on see thru whites is: Dont wear any underwear with a print or color. I wore white underwear. We had to wear this awful blue top with a sleeveless blue t-shirt under it, which came in handy when you were busy with a patient and your shirt popped unbutton. I found that Oxyclean with Bleach did wonders on the stains. Good luck in school, just take it one day at a time.

paytbeth · May 26, 2006

At my school, we have to wear white pants and these ugly green polo shirts. I can't wait for the day when I finally get to wear scrubs, mostly for the pocket room!!

Anyways, just a little advice. White panties are a terrible no no. I have seen panty lines on students that you would not believe. I've invested in a few pairs of nice seamless nude colored ones from victoria's secret, esp the ipex and the body by victoria. They're wonderful!! Another word of advice.. if possible, keep your scrubs at school and then change into them when you get there. It really saves the bottoms of the pants and unnecessary scrubbing on laundry day.