"cutesy" printed scrubs - staff response?

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Specializes in adult psych, LTC/SNF, child psych.

Hello everyone! When I first started out working in the hospital, I was a nursing tech in pre-op/post-op for same day surgery and then switched to pedi inpt/ED. There were no limits to the dress code, so I had some fun with it. I'm a kid at heart and so I bought some "cutesy" scrubs, from Bambi to flowers. After NS, I worked in psych nursing. I continued to wear the scrubs that I'd already had from working as a tech and accumulated a bunch more scrubs. Pretty much all of my scrubs are "cutesy", from cartoon characters to butterflies and the like. I've never had a patient complain about my appearance and my scrubs have often served as a conversation starter, "Hey, I used to like XYZ movie or cartoon."

I'm about ready to switch to a role as an RN in a SNF and think my scrubs will be just fine there, but I'm worried about perception of my professionalism from other staff. I feel comfortable with what I'm wearing and don't think the patients will have objections, but I'm nervous that my new colleagues might think I'm "childish" for my scrub choices. Am I just being silly and paranoid?

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Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.

I don't think in a SNF it matters as much, personally, I used to have scrubs with butterflies or bright colors and a lot of the residents would compliment me on them. There will be people who tell you they're unprofessional though. :rolleyes:

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I'm a scrub hog and go out my way to wear different colors, a lady stopped me at the hospital and told me I make her day because I always wear happy colors. Wear ur scrubs. I also have colored sneakers n socks to match

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I work in a SNF. Cutesy print scrubs are not uncommon amongst nurses. I have never heard anyone comment negatively on anyone's scrubs.

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Specializes in adult psych, LTC/SNF, child psych.

OMG colored socks and shoes! I just stumbled upon the cutest printed Danskos and am trying to convince myself that I don't need the same shoe in multiple colors...

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We have a dress code. I've worn ceil blue every single day for the past 3 years. I'm sick of it!!

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Specializes in ICU.
OMG colored socks and shoes! I just stumbled upon the cutest printed Danskos and am trying to convince myself that I don't need the same shoe in multiple colors...

I may or may not have five pairs of Danskos... ;)

The thing is, I now wear them everywhere, and with everything from blue jeans to business casual to scrubs, and they last forever, so it's totally an investment and not a waste.

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Specializes in adult psych, LTC/SNF, child psych.

I may or may not have five pairs of Danskos... ;)

The thing is, I now wear them everywhere, and with everything from blue jeans to business casual to scrubs, and they last forever, so it's totally an investment and not a waste.

Love it. They can look pretty fashionable, so why not?

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Specializes in Med/Surg & Hospice & Dialysis.

I may or may not have five pairs of Danskos... ;)

The thing is, I now wear them everywhere, and with everything from blue jeans to business casual to scrubs, and they last forever, so it's totally an investment and not a waste.

I may or may not do the same thing. My rain drop pair is work only.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I'm going to be an old fart and go against the grain here. I think in the majority of specialties, they look unprofessional. I was a Peds nurse, and I did get caught up in having every character under the sun. After a few years, I started to feel like I got too old for it. I don't think they are inappropriate in a Peds setting though, I just felt like I needed to tone it down a bit. I would wear visually appealing colors, but mostly solid tops. I had my holiday ones at I would bring out PRN. Kids definitely respond to them though.

I don't think anyone in an adult setting should be wearing Sesame Street or Dora. I think some of the non-kiddie prints are way too busy.

The trend where I live seems to be back to basics. The hospital where I go to clinicals has an all-white dress code for the floors. The Peds units have the option of wearing one specific color top, and white pants. Some just wear all white.

Like I said, I'm old now (well, oldER). When I was younger, the first hospital I worked at was all-whites. I though it was so lame. Now I see the value in it. Or at least, the value of one designated color for nurses (but it is anything other than white, it doesn't necessarily scream "I am your nurse", where white usually does).

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I am a LTC rehab nurse manager. I personally wear solid colors, mostly whites, grey, and black pants with a solid top. I am not super old, but not twenty anymore either. I just don't feel like I'd be taken seriously in cartoons. I have two printed Koi brand tops that I fell in love with. I may get some more of those, but never, ever anything with a character. I am also fond of white coats. I feel like the staff and patients should be able to easily identify me as the leader. I wear my pins on my lapels as well. I worked hard for those shiny bits and I feel good about wearing them. I am the only nurse at my facility that does, though. The other managers and the ADON and DON wear business casual (sometimes too casual). I choose scrubs because I know I may deliver care on my floor, and it makes me feel like part of my team, not separate.

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Cutesy and childish don't have to be the same thing. Dora the Explorer is childish, there's no way around it, but floral prints, butterflies, and other nature motifs can be fun in a variety of settings.

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