"A good first impression???"

[ahett]

Recently, the hospital where I work has decided that all Nursing staff will wear navy scrubs. ( Tops and bottoms). The employer is not purchasing the scrubs. This is going to be a great cost for many of us. Administration says this is going to boost our patient satisfaction. Our unit has consistantly scored high on patient satisfaction scores, and we wear scrubs of all different colors and prints. I have asked patents for 3 weeks now, "What would you like to see your nurses wear, and what they thought about all navy uniforms?" None of the patients wanted all navy uniforms. Most of them said, I like all the colors you wear." Those of you who wear all one color, did you find a jump in your satisfaction scores? Thoughts one way or the other?

[AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

You might want to check on the laws in your state. I beleive that they may be obligated to purchase the uniforms since you are already working there when they decided to institute them and if not tell them you plain and simply cannot afford to buy new uniforms at this time.

Sweetooth

[LPN2RNin6]

Our facility started uniforms as well, but they told us about them in December and stated that all will have to be in full dress code by June, 1 that way everyone will have time to buy them. I guess they figured we could afford maybe one top per week or one pair of pants, that way by june we should have a decent wardrobe built up

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

I have worked in two facilities that required color-coded uniforms. No one reimbursed us. I appreciate being able to know which dept someone is from but am not sure it means anything to the patients.

[catlynLPN]

You know that uniforms you have to buy are tax deductible?

You will get some of your cost back that way.

[I_am_Julia]

i think having color-coded uniforms is a great idea. more hospitals should adopt the policy. it's uniformed. with all of the patterns out, it's somewhat tacky to have so many scattered around, imho. each group should be designated a color.

[I_am_Julia]

yes, it does help with identifying staff very much. patients may not notice but the various departments benefit greatly, i believe.

i have worked in two facilities that required color-coded uniforms. no one reimbursed us. i appreciate being able to know which dept someone is from but am not sure it means anything to the patients.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

You know that uniforms you have to buy are tax deductible?

You will get some of your cost back that way.

Thanks for saying that. I was going to point that out.

I wonder if there is research that documents the position that Navy uniforms improve satisfaction. Where is management getting this idea from?

[reesern63, RN]

It's also a wonderful way to make it look like you have more nurses than you really do if you also have the aides wear the same uniform as the licensed staff. Don't tell me that doesn't cross the minds of administrators when this idea gets kicked around in meetings.

[Myxel67]

You know that uniforms you have to buy are tax deductible?

You will get some of your cost back that way.

They aren't deductible unless the total of all your business related expenses exceeds a certain percent of adjusted gross income (joint returns include spouse's income in AGI). I think it must be over 2%--whatever it is, we never break the line

[Myxel67]

Bedside nurses at my hospital started wearing color-coded uniforms in January, 2006. They were given 6 mos notice, and the hospital gave each nurse 2 uniforms. At my old hospital, we changed about 5 years ago, but we had to buy our own. In both cases, hospital stated security as one of the reasons for change. I don't buy that though, because once you've been to the floor/unit once, you'd know what colr scrubs to buy if you wanted to blend in for some sinister reason.

[reesern63, RN]

Your computer still has hiccups.

In my state you may deduct uniforms from your state income taxes as an allowable expense. That doesn't help you when you have to pay up front, though.