Nursing School Uniform

afaulknerSVN · May 26, 2007

Ask them if you can purchase your own shoes through another vendor. You can get shoes that look similar to leather that aren't leather. Honestly, when I shopped for shoes, I ended up with the ugliest pair because they were the most comfortable, lol. I didn't shop for aesthetics.

MySimplePlan · May 27, 2007

We were told our shoes HAD to be leather. It's a protection thing. There HAS to be an alternative, though, that's just as protective. Try to find out some info about your preferred type of shoe and present it to them. I'll bet it's all in the manner of how you approach it. Good luck!

DooWopNurse · May 27, 2007

They can't discriminate against you because you're a vegan. You should tell them before class gets started. Call them after Memorial day and express your concern and that you hope it won't interfere with your participation in the class if you don't wear their sneakers.

I wonder if they'll allow you to wear crocs, lol.

Anywho, I doubt you'll have any problems if you bring it to their attention immediately.

tiriba · May 27, 2007

I never heard about leather protecting more than other materials. We don't wear leather gloves for patient care. Under that rationale, the pants would also have to be leather.

At our school, allowances had to be made for the ladies who could not wear pants and for those who could not wear the short-sleeve shirts.

MySimplePlan · May 27, 2007

I never heard about leather protecting more than other materials. We don't wear leather gloves for patient care. Under that rationale, the pants would also have to be leather.
At our school, allowances had to be made for the ladies who could not wear pants and for those who could not wear the short-sleeve shirts.

For some reason, many nursing schools and hospitals ask their students and nurses to wear leather shoes for their protective qualities. Call me crazy, but it seems they know what they are talking about. If you have knowledge they don't have, please inform the nursing community in your area ASAP they have been wrong all these years. :uhoh3:

celery · May 27, 2007

I hope things work out for you. I do not envy you for having to buck the system from the very first day!!

Megsd, BSN, RN · May 27, 2007

The point of "leather" shoes is that they are not canvas, so things like body fluids, needles, etc. can't land on your shoes and soak in to your socks and feet. Ask the school if you can wear synthetic leather (if that would be acceptable to you, and you can find some shoes made of this material). The purpose is not so much the leather itself, but the waterproof qualities. This is usually why regular crocs aren't allowed -- they have holes in them.

justme1972 · May 27, 2007

They can't discriminate against you because you're a vegan. You should tell them before class gets started. Call them after Memorial day and express your concern and that you hope it won't interfere with your participation in the class if you don't wear their sneakers.
I wonder if they'll allow you to wear crocs, lol.
Anywho, I doubt you'll have any problems if you bring it to their attention immediately.

I would disagree with that. Being vegan is not a religion, is a lifestyle practice, therefore, doesn't fall into a legally protected class. If the school requires them to wear leather shoes, and will not give her an alternative, then they don't have to make additional accomodations.

justme1972 · May 27, 2007

I never heard about leather protecting more than other materials. We don't wear leather gloves for patient care. Under that rationale, the pants would also have to be leather.
At our school, allowances had to be made for the ladies who could not wear pants and for those who could not wear the short-sleeve shirts.

Sorry for the double post, but here, there are certain religions that will not allow women to wear pants or short sleeves. That is a protected class and schools MUST make an accomodation.

ann945n, RN · May 31, 2007

I too had students that didnt wear pants for cultural reasons, they were accomidated, you should be too.

platinum_garb · May 31, 2007

For some reason, many nursing schools and hospitals ask their students and nurses to wear leather shoes for their protective qualities. Call me crazy, but it seems they know what they are talking about. If you have knowledge they don't have, please inform the nursing community in your area ASAP they have been wrong all these years.

I personally have never heard this leather shoe business before. It is my understanding that you must have a low-sole, close-toed, white shoe. Leather? Never heard that one before. I suppose that most sneakers out there that one would wear as a nurse/student probably are leather. However, I think that your moral objection to wearing leather is just as valid an argument as any other moral objection one might have in our wonderful medical community. We are humans, and humans have the right to have opposing views on subjects. I think that fact that yours is not a religious conviction has nothing to do with it.

I think your life decision to not wear animal products is a valid one and should be resolved easily after a conversation with the appropriate person at your school.

Please tell us how it goes.

Good luck!