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?

[Kora0880, BSN, RN]

LPN2Be2004- Boldfacing is what you make out of it. Besides it was a metaphor, meaning let's not make a battle ground of this topic, no need to get offensive or defensive, just exchange ideas. Let's all get along and respect one another. Unless you wanna stick to your "No thanks"

Anyway let's go back to our discussion. . . :)

[barbiedee]

On our hospital's psychiatric floor, nurses can wear street clothes, with their appropriate hospital ID badge. That being said, I had one patient say to me "If it weren't for your name tag, I'd think you were one of us!" Was that a compliment or not???? From then on, I only wore nursing attire when working on that floor!:rotfl:

[#1rnstudent]

Patients come to health care facilities to be healed. Not for a fashion show. If they are too busy to be bothered by a health provider wearing scrubs then maybe they are not that sick after all. I don't really care what someone wears when they are providing me with good healthcare, so long as all the naughty bits are covered.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

And that the clothing has been washed.

[jaimealmostRN]

A few days ago, my class had to do professional presentations (eg: we had to wear dress clothes). I wore my "interview" pants, a nice silk button down shirt and (gasp) heels. OMG, after the short walk from the parking lot to our classroom my feet were so uncomfortable, by the end of the day I was walking around our school in stocking bare feet. As soon as I got back to my car, I put on my flip flops! I never want to dress up at my job! Ever!!! And I can't wear flats b/c I'm 5'3'', even my nursing shoes (clogs) have about a 1.5'' platform! I think to look professional at our jobs we should have clean, short or tied back hair, appropriate make-up and act accordingly. I have never gotten any disrespect from other professionals, including doctors b/c I don't act silly, giggly, or dumb (despite being blonde :rotfl: ). And if I sense an attitude the get the "eye" (my raised one eyebrow) that sets them straight!

[SmilingBluEyes]

I think you have your concensus, kora.

[Energizer Bunny]

Would have been a good poll!

[1guy2pups]

All white uniforms?? They are really inconvenient when they are exposed to the four P's - puke, poop, pee, and puss.

There have been times I was very grateful for colored scrubs. They don't show the mess as much. Yuck.

I agree that uniformity of color is a very good way to differentiate between the nursing roles. There are many times when I can't figure out who is the RN or the cafeteria worker.

[Kingbandit]

If nurses are to be taken seriously as professionals, we have to get away from the uniform idea. Do we put our physicians in a uniform? How do we know that they are physicians? Their paychecks!

I get really thrilled when I see nurse practitioners blending in with the physician crowd. Getting rid of the uniform has set us free and has helped opened the door to the male gender. Nursing, as a whole, is trying to integrate into health care as an equal independent team players on par with the physicians. The caps and starched whites of the nurse of previous generations is romantic and something to be proud of. However, it also served to oppress and stereotype them. If they can read and they're not confused, the patients know who we are. If they can't read or they're confused, I don't think it's going to matter what we wear.

I am a male who will graduate in two weeks. I like to look professional but I also want to not stand out either. If I were forced to wear a certain uniform then I wouldn't feel comfortable. I am the type who must be themselves. and if you force me to follow I would probable find an other job.

[mstewart]

What about screen printing "NURSE" on accross the back of the scrubs top and on teh front corner...LPN, RN, MSN-whatever. Or better yet....NURSE on the butt of scub bottoms!!! Yeah, that will get people's attention!

[RNGrammy]

I agree, white is not practical. Dresses, well how can you crawl around? I like the idea of different color badges.....your professionalism in how you perform your job should speak higher of you than your uniform. I am one of those who miss the cap and white unioform, until I go to work in ICU and then I am real glad we don't have them anymore. White uniform adn caps are for graduation picyures only....they look great but are very impractical.:rotfl:

[Farkinott, RN]

If nurses are to be taken seriously as professionals, we have to get away from the uniform idea. Do we put our physicians in a uniform? How do we know that they are physicians? Their paychecks!

I get really thrilled when I see nurse practitioners blending in with the physician crowd. Getting rid of the uniform has set us free and has helped opened the door to the male gender. Nursing, as a whole, is trying to integrate into health care as an equal independent team players on par with the physicians. The caps and starched whites of the nurse of previous generations is romantic and something to be proud of. However, it also served to oppress and stereotype them. If they can read and they're not confused, the patients know who we are. If they can't read or they're confused, I don't think it's going to matter what we wear.

Good commentary!