Published Aug 9, 2014
64 members have participated
Nola009
940 Posts
...especially those of you in direct patient care? To the married lady nurses~ Do you wear your original band AND engagement ring to work??
NicuGal, MSN, RN
2,743 Posts
No jewelry below the elbows in our hospital.
OwlieO.O
193 Posts
I am allowed to wear it, but I don't. It gets in my way, I'm overly conscious of it while performing tasks, and believe it's an infection control issue (especially because mine has a taper that is inlet which is more difficult to clean).
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,305 Posts
Nope. With all the hand washing, it is just an infection control risk. If I take it off at work to wash, I risk losing it.
llg, PhD, RN
13,469 Posts
I am not married/engaged -- but if I were, I wouldn't. It's an infection control risk both for the patients and for me. Also, I would be afraid of losing it down a drain. Finally, when I used to do patient care, nothing was allowed below the elbows.
#NurseB
113 Posts
I don't either. I'm afraid it will tear my gloves. It's just an unnecessary risk.
Nurse SMS, MSN, RN
6,843 Posts
I wear my band but not my engagement ring. I notice a real difference in inappropriate behavior when I don't have it on. But my engagement ring sits high and tears up the gloves.
vintage_RN, BSN, RN
717 Posts
I do wear both, but I probably shouldn't. My engagement ring is pretty high and can scratch someone (although it's never happened.) I've never had an issue while wearing them..but I probably should consider removing them. I just feel so naked without them!
Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN
4 Articles; 7,907 Posts
I don't wear any jewelry other than my watch. It's an infection and safety risk, especially given I work with a patient population where Hep B and/or C seems to be the norm and not the exception.
Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN
6 Articles; 11,935 Posts
Before my SO's death, I never wore any rings at work. Granted, I do work in the OR but don't routinely scrub, but for me it's an infection control thing- so many little crevices and things where who knows what could be living. However, for a while after her death, I did wear my rings as I just couldn't bear to take them off at the time. I was not directly involved with patient care at the time, and probably would have worn them on a chain around my neck or (as is the norm in my OR to prevent loss for those who do bring them in) pinned to my bra strap if I were. If I were to get engaged/married again, no way would I wear them at work for the same reason. Heck, according to dress code, we can't have anything but a pair of stud earrings covered by our hats.
Mom2boysRN
218 Posts
I bought a plain band to wear at work there are no grooves that germs can hide in. I usually don't wear even the plain band though.
Twinmom06, ASN, APN
1,171 Posts
yea I do - in fact I had them sized down so that they won't slip over my knuckle while hand washing/gloving.