Professional in scrubs?

[Kora0880]

Hello,

I just flipped through the April AJN and came across an interesting article r/t history of RN uniforms. An interesting point was made, that although new scrubs are cheaper, easier to take care of and maybe more comfortable there is a big problem with them: We all look alike, nurses, PCT/CNA, respiratory techs, housekeepers, etc. Patients have a difficult time distinguishing among healthcare professionals, and so do we.

Personally I do believe we should go back to nursing uniforms-it's a great tradition, maybe aside from the cap :chuckle We are professionals and our uniform is our singnature, after all if we respect it others may too. Now don't get me wrong, I do not wish to be looking like Florence, but a new, professional, clean cut design would do it for me. (Maybe that's why I'm going to the military? :rotfl: )

What do you think?

[jaimealmostRN]

I personally don't like patterned tops either for myself. Whenever I get those Jasco/Life catalogs I always see some cute design but would never buy/wear it. I like how the solids look, but it definatly does limit your uniform "combinations" just wearing the solids. I have always secretly wanted to float to the NICU one day so I would wear Hello Kitty scrubs! The fake nail issue: My school forbids fake nails/tips/acryillyics and so do the hospitals I have worked in (NJ). But in the hospitals (as oppose to school) many get away with wearing the nails b/c due to buget cuts, we no longer have the acryllic/hair in your face police :chuckle

[StrbryJelo]

Paint, you didn't sound rude. When I said, "not to sound rude", I wanted you to know I meant no offense to you. British nurses do look good, but I've seen some of them in colors & prints also. I understand where you're coming from and you could always wear a print warm up jacket with your uniform for some variety. They're not all little kid prints, but they can be fun and you don't have to work in pediatrics to wear them. As for fingernails....When I started in nursing 27 years ago short nails were required and NO nail polish. Not even clear. This wasn't an aesthetic issue. It was infection control. People started sneaking polish and artificial/acrylic nails in and through lack of follow through on existing policies it became common, if not the norm. Now we're back to the realizaton that even un noticed gaps between the natural nail and the overlays or even micro cracks in the surface of nail polish can, and does, harbor organisms.

CYA,

Mick

[Kora0880, BSN, RN]

Ok so here's my perspective after 4 yrs of wearing high heals and full uniform of a Navy Nurse Corps......yes its harder to maintain it, but noone EVER mistaken me for anything else but an officer and a nurse. Pt's loved it, I loved it and maybe its just me....but looking professional is part of being professional :)

Now im back to civilian and not sure I want to wear scrubs........

[everlasting]

I think it's a good idea to have designated colors for different professions. I know at most hospitals around here, all RN's are in navy or a combination of navy/white. CNA's are in green, respiratory techs in maroon, etc. We have never had difficulty distinguishing the RN's from the CNA's and vice versa. However, at the nursing home that my grandmother is at, you can wear whatever color/pattern of scrubs that you want. I've found it really hard to figure out who the RN's are because everyone is wearing different colors.

Also, I don't think professionalism comes only by how you dress. You could be wearing the best outfit and be dressed to the nines, but if you don't act like a professional, then you won't be treated like one. It goes the other way as well. I think if you're just wearing plain navy scrubs, but you act in a professional manner, then people will see you as professional.

I didn't read through all the posts, so I hope I'm not on repeat. :)