Pinning up long hair

[annetter]

I am wondering what everyone's opinion is about wearing long hair down in the work place as an RN. I work at a hospital and I see this with alot of the RN's and I think its a safety hazard to our patients because nurses do sterile procedures and work with food, not to mention a combative patient could grab hair.

[JDZ344]

Hair off the collar. I wear mine in a bun or pony tail.

[wsuRN09]

Mine is always in a bun for all of the reasons previous posters mentioned, but mostly because I work with infants to toddlers and any loose hair loves to wrap around those little fingers. Ouch!

[tachybradyRN]

eh, personally i sweat like a beast when i'm running up and down the halls caring for my patients, so nine times out of ten my hair is up as a matter of necessity. i have worn it down a few times, but i generally prefer to pull it back.

[Amanda.RN]

When I worked in a hospital setting, I always wore my hair up because you'd never know when you'd have to do something and not have time to tie it back. Now that I'm working in a clinic setting, I wear it down most of the time, but I do always keep a hair tie on my wrist so that I can quickly put it up if I have to. During school, my instructors were always very adamant that it had to be up at all times. I agree that hair should always be tied back when working with a patient, whether it's a procedure, helping them eat, or anything else.

I'm also a fan of the minimal jewelry rule when you're in a job that you have a lot of patient contact. And low or no perfume. Shoes should always be closed-toed -- not just for safety, but for cleanliness too (feet are kinda gross...).

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I usually braid it. Its not long enough though that it falls forward when I bend over so its ok. If not a braid then a ponytail.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

our policy says off the collar, but nobody listens. I put mine up cause I don't want poop on it. But some have waist length hair and son't put it up. I don't understand why so many people won't go with the policys.

Because they can. Simple. If noone is going to enforce those policies, staff will walk all over them. In school I had a fellow student with a facial piercing (eyebrow). Our handbook specifically told you what you could and could not wear for jewelry (watch, wedding ring, medic alert piece, and one pair of small earrings: stone, pearl-like or metal stud). Another student pointed out that she had left her eyebrow ring in and she said "yeah, I know, but if they aren't going to say anything, I'm NOT taking it out!"

[jalarcrn]

The unit that i work on hair is worn however the nurse wishes. i have shoulder length hair and always keep it pulled back. Can't stand leaning over a pt and have hair falling in my face.

[Lynx25, LPN]

Mine is long- while doing medpass, It's either up in a loose bun, or down in a ponytail. I like it better that way, and it looks better like that.

Now, doing wound care? It's up, and it's TIGHT. No hair in the pressure sores, m'kay?

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

When I worked in a hospital setting, I always wore my hair up because you'd never know when you'd have to do something and not have time to tie it back. Now that I'm working in a clinic setting, I wear it down most of the time, but I do always keep a hair tie on my wrist so that I can quickly put it up if I have to. During school, my instructors were always very adamant that it had to be up at all times. I agree that hair should always be tied back when working with a patient, whether it's a procedure, helping them eat, or anything else.

I'm also a fan of the minimal jewelry rule when you're in a job that you have a lot of patient contact. And low or no perfume. Shoes should always be closed-toed -- not just for safety, but for cleanliness too (feet are kinda gross...).

Definitely minimal jewelry. I only wear bracelets. That can easily come off. I am afraid to wear necklaces or earrings because we may have a resident who decides to go wacko and pull on my necklace or pull out my earrings.

[annetter]

The one and only time I had my hair down at work, a psych patient thought my hair would make a great 3am snack when I was positioning her. Never again. When it's long it's in a pony tail and when I chop it off, it's pinned back with a head band.

I happen to like my hair on my head, thanks.[/quote

I agree! As nurses we never know what situations may arise. People are unpredictable at times so it is better to be safe than sorry. Wear the hair up! That is my philosophy.

[annetter]

Definitely minimal jewelry. I only wear bracelets. That can easily come off. I am afraid to wear necklaces or earrings because we may have a resident who decides to go wacko and pull on my necklace or pull out my earrings.

Wearing jewelry can be an issue as well. I couldn't imagine having an earring pulled out or being trapped by a necklace. Yikes!

[annetter]

When I went to school and first in nursing we had some really strict rules. Hair was to be OFF the collar and not hanging down the back......but I think as long as when they bend over it doesn't drape across the patents face and can stay out of a sterile field then a pony tail or braid is just fine.

I agree. If someone has shoulder length hair, it would be hard to pin up but if the hair stays out of the sterile field and out of the face then its fine.