nursing uniforms...plz respond

suzanne4, RN · Sep 25, 2008

Nursing students all over wear nursing uniforms and they do not wear scrubs when they are students in most cases. Your uniforms are not very different from what many schools still require here, other than the majority of the uniform now has pants.

Only thing that is different is that we do not use the caps any longer here.

pofi · Sep 25, 2008

Some tertiary hospital nurses do wear scrubs as their uniform. In my opinion, scrub suits are much appropriate uniforms especially with our hot climate. Nurses look more sophisticated when they are in a scrub suit.

On the other hand, old fashion uniforms still carry for a nurse, respect. My classmate, a girl, got a complement and respect from a group of bummer in their area..:wink2:

aznhunnie89 · Sep 25, 2008

oh, is that right, does that mean they get to wear either uniforms or scrubs when they graduate? thnx 4 ur response=)

g_l · Sep 27, 2008

i asked my oldest professors( one has retired a year ago) and a friend of my aunt(both are nurses) and here is what they have to say:

the cap is a symbol, makes you stand out, yes, but aside from that not much.

the uniform, on the other hand(this also includes the male variant, right down to the shoes), is there for respectability and DISCIPLINE. that respectability basically comes from wearing white cleanly.

ever seen someone in a three-piece white suit? spotlessly clean. you'd admire or even envy his fastidiousness.

now in our case, we work on stain-making substances(blood, iodine; you name it) maintaining our spotlessness is a mark that we are careful on our every move, we maintain our presentability to the different clients we meet, we know what we are doing and so we are disciplined, especially when we are encumbered with the layers of cloth around our bodies together with our white shoes.

as my old officers from way back then used to holler:

"BEARING IS 9 POINTS OF COMMAND! LOOK SNAPPY!"

pofi · Sep 28, 2008

oh, is that right, does that mean they get to wear either uniforms or scrubs when they graduate? thnx 4 ur response=)

It really depends on the institution but most are still using the old fashion. And as far as I know, all nursing schools still use the same (old) uniform.

RNHawaii34 · Sep 28, 2008

i definitely say i am a big fan of old white dress with apron uniform. it does look nice and pretty, looks professional, and it does tell others you are a nursing student, not a staff ( yet). but i hate the fact that i have to wear a starchy stiff nursing cap, which to me is so unnecessary if you have a clinical in hot, humid, dusty facility. and i don't like the fact that you go home, at the end of the day, your white uniform gets so dirty and it looked like you have the map of the entire philippine archipelago in it :-). in my school ( circa 2004-2005), during lecture hours we use white pants and white buttoned tops. which is fine to me, again, i don't like what it looks like at the end of the day. and oh, the cloth material is so thick that it makes no difference when you wear a white uniform with apron on, its just too humid!! i guess as a nursing student doesn't give me much choice, eh? but the bottomline? i knew that i was a student nurse, and it should be that way. now that i am a staff nurse, i have the freedom to wear whatever scrubs i want. i love dickies pants, or whatever pant brands as long as they are on sale ( i shop online for uniforms). i favor those with at least 3 pockets, then a deep pocket for bandage scissors, pen, gums?, and cellphone). i like only either blue or black scrub pants, because i come home and throw em in the washer, and not to worry about stains. scrub tops? i like it in any color and designs, now i wear extra long sleeve shirt under my scrub tops, because it gets really cold most of the time in my unit. and oh, i love nursing shoes too, but i guess that will be on the different topic, right? ahhhhh, i love scrubs!!

wishiwereanurse, BSN, RN · Sep 29, 2008

I think the white uniforms should die, or if wished to be preserved, to be worn only during formal events. I was always reprimanded for rolling up my sleeves during duty, but I cannot freely move my arms so how am I supposed to work? it is also made of material that's just too hot especially during the summer afternoons, and during the rainy days, there's much hassle trying to maintain its whiteness when you have to battle against mud and rust.

The cap is a symbol of putting your profession above yourself, and carries a lot of germs depending on how often it is washed and starched. I had a friend who got frustrated washing ans starching her cap, so instead she started making her own with white morocco folders (which was disposable, sanitary, promotes cleanliness, makes sense!)

I agree that the uniform invokes some sort of respect from patients and members of the community, but then again, respect is earned and people will know you better and respect you by how you took care of them rather than by how you keep your uniform glistening white.

RNHawaii34 · Oct 1, 2008

i think the white uniforms should die, or if wished to be preserved, to be worn only during formal events. i was always reprimanded for rolling up my sleeves during duty, but i cannot freely move my arms so how am i supposed to work? it is also made of material that's just too hot especially during the summer afternoons, and during the rainy days, there's much hassle trying to maintain its whiteness when you have to battle against mud and rust.
the cap is a symbol of putting your profession above yourself, and carries a lot of germs depending on how often it is washed and starched. i had a friend who got frustrated washing ans starching her cap, so instead she started making her own with white morocco folders (which was disposable, sanitary, promotes cleanliness, makes sense!)
i agree that the uniform invokes some sort of respect from patients and members of the community, but then again, respect is earned and people will know you better and respect you by how you took care of them rather than by how you keep your uniform glistening white.

:chuckle !! you know, that comment i find really hilarious! i never thought of it before, but can you actually imagine how much time you spend on worrying about your white uniform? like, oh my goodness, i better make sure i don't dirty my uniform or i will get dinged by my clinical instructor. you know what? i felt terrible during rainy season specially when are en route to your clinical duty and you have to take the jeepny, or tricyle......ahhhhhhh!!! glad i am so done with that chapter!:wink2:

Daly City RN · Oct 3, 2008

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As a relief charge nurse in a large acute care hospital here in the San Francisco Bay Area, I have always worn a white lab coat over my scrubs. When I was a part-time nursing supervisor in a SNF I was expected to wear a white lab coat at work at all times.

I feel that wearing this uniform I have gotten more respect from patients and their relatives and at the same time I projected an air of authority to the other nurses and to the other members of the health care team. Of course one's actions, skills and knowledge is more important than a nurse's uniform but a proper professional appearance counts a lot.

As some of the bloggers here may know, I am on a temporary "retirement" from my nursing career. Having worked 27+ years in my civil service job I have decided to rest for a while. I have gotten two job offers already but I plan to take a short vacation in the Philippines in the middle of October 2008.

Therefore my lab coats and srubs are also taking a break from the hospital. I plan to buy a few new lab coats before I go back to work in the private sector in 2009.

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wishiwereanurse, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2008

The white uniform is also a symbol of the nursing school or the hospital a person goes to. It's easy to tell which person comes from which place by the cut and style, and color of the uniform, and by the shape of the cut. In a sense, the uniform is a walking advertisment. That's why nursing schools are strict--they don't want you walking around town on your uniform when you're not on duty, they want you to maintain cleanliness and professional appearance, because when you're out in your uniform, you are representing.

But I've seen Registered Nurses (not students...RNs!!!) going to casinos and bars ON THEIR UNIFORM after duty. PNA has guidelines on haircut, uniform, and all that stuff for nurses, but did they make any guidelines regarding where and when the uniform should be worn? In nursing school, one of my friends got sent to the dean for smoking in public while on uniform. But I guess once you're an RN, you're licensed to go disco in white if you want...