It is so hard for me to know who is what (it is all about me after all ) -- RT vs Tech vs RN vs housekeeping vs. volunteers vs. lab personnel and so on. Patients seem to find it hard as well.
I know that if you are working on a unit you get to know everyone and such. That's great...really. Also, love the whole express yourself thing (well not all of it), but is it me or are women's scrub tops becoming more and more like fashion tops? I come from a different professional background so the very girly tops, although pretty, wouldn't really go down well.
I am interested if anyone knows the history behind this move here too.
No I am NOT suggesting that nursing goes back to the starched caps etc.
yes, just by the nurse building that client-nurse relationship, the patient will have no problems knowing who the RN is. But, some patients can become a little disoriented, and perhaps the nursing hat settles things real quick. No mistaking there who the nurse is. That hat resembles authority.
The color coded scubs would work best if the practice was universally adopted. If all the nurses in all hospitals were associated with a certain color, then the idea would work.
The girly style top is not unusual. Nursing clothes have always had some reference to street fashion.
The baggy scrubs I wore in the '90's were not unlike my Gap one pocket tee and relaxed fit khakis.
There was a lingering 80's styling in my earlier more tailored uniforms with big shoulders.
More fitted styles do eventually make their way into work uniforms.
My organization requires color coding ( RN royal blue, LPN carribean blue, OR light blue, RT navy, tech burgundy, student nurse tan, etc...) and that name badges be placed at your collar (rather than a the hip as many people do) so that your name and title is viewable as well.
We also aren't allowed to cover our last names. Hope I don't accrue any stalkers.
How will staff know which color is the RT or RN, or housekeeper?
Unless we provide all pts with some kind of reference card which is to remain at the bedside with colors then they won't be able to keep track! Nor will they care. (Maybe we can keep the card in thier front pocket of the gown???)
The fact is, the pt (or family) knows that I'm there nurse because I say so. Because I introduce myself and make myself available, and because I'm the one doing all the care.
The last hospital I worked at color coded thier scrubs. But the CNA students wore the same color as the RNs, and the EMTs wore the same color as the housekeepers, and the Drs wore whatever the heck they wanted.
It just doesn't work. Not the way it is 'intended'.
Our hospital is color coded-- this was very helpful for me when I went from wearing ciel blue as a monitor tech to galaxy blue as a nurse a couple weeks ago.
Everyone in the facility who I see day in and day out knows my role has changed. If there wasn't color coding, I'm sure there would be much confusion amongst everyone.
I don't care what color they put us in... but my lord... my facility went to all white for nurses, and I can't tell you the number of times I've had to go to laundry and find someones clothing to work in because I've been bled all over/throw up on/etc.
) -- RT vs Tech vs RN vs housekeeping vs. volunteers vs. lab personnel and so on. Patients seem to find it hard as well.
doesanyoneknowwhy
43 Posts
yes, just by the nurse building that client-nurse relationship, the patient will have no problems knowing who the RN is. But, some patients can become a little disoriented, and perhaps the nursing hat settles things real quick. No mistaking there who the nurse is. That hat resembles authority.