I am starting nursing school in August after completing all my AAS coursework over the past 3 years. This is probably one of the most ridiculous questions you have ever heard but, I have to ask.
Do any of you wear artificial nails or do you recommend or not recommend them in nursing school?
I am not a priss or anything like that, I work hard and play hard and have have hard working hands, I do everything from needlepoint t remodeling the house to working on the car, and yes I do this while in school and still maintain a 3.66 GPA.
My concern is with opening things and all during clinicals, we start our clinicals 3 weeks into the program, and if they frown up the nails, I am going to grow them out now. Responses would be appreciated. Oh ya getting really excited and nervous on starting nursing school! :roll
This is probably one of the most ridiculous questions you have ever heard but, I have to ask.
My response is almost totally off topic, but this is a lesson you have to learn, live, love, starting yesterday. In nursing, the only rediculous questions are the ones you don't ask. If you don't ask, you won't know the answer.
Congrats on starting your jouney and good luck to you.
nope no nails aloud and believe it or not, we had a lady quit school because of it. I had worn nails for almost 15 years STRAIGHT and am like you as far as being rough and tough with them. I took them off 2 months before so they would look half way decent, BUT, I put them on during Christmas Break (6 weeks long) and then I will put them back on right before graduation. Which is 3 months away and counting....
You will get used to not having them but It took me awhile, I feel like my hands look so fat without them.
As above, fake nails or long nails are no-no's. During school breaks or times when you don't have clinical or are not working as a CNA, LPN, whomever, then nails are ok. I had a manicure/pedicure after clinical ended last year. For graduation recently (also a lot of girls were in weddings recently) a lot of girls got fake nails.
I know how grubby my short nails can get with everyday stuff, I cannot imagine how bad it would be working with body fluids all day! -Andrea
Yikes, you'll be touching lots of things you didn't even know were there. Besides, it's hard to keep fungus from growing under nails with your hands constantly in soap and water. You probably won't have to make the decision on your own anyhow...your instructors will spot them, and ask you take them off or stay home tomorrow.
Thanks everyone for your responses, congrats and encouragement! I am going to let the nails grow out naturally right from now on, that way they will be back to normal by the time school starts. I will be on here during nursing courses, but I am determined to become and RN....so what are a few more gray hairs anyways!
Should have asked about rings also, well maybe I will find a thread on that!!!
At my school, wedding bands are ok-but anything else will just get in the way. Personally, I prefer no rings with any kind of stone b/c they make gloves more complicated. :chuckle Anyways, congrats!
that was a great question! i took off my nails the night before last because i know i wont be able to afford to get them done once i quit my full time job and go to part time and i want to let them get healthy before school starts. i have worn nails for 15 years so i feel like i am missing a body part, not to mention my natural nails look and feel like crap, and i'm having trouble typing and picking things up too. i guess i'll get used to not having them. eventually.
i was feeling bad that i had to remove them because of the whole money issue. i feel much better now, knowing that i would have had to take them off for school anyway.
I am starting nursing school in August after completing all my AAS coursework over the past 3 years. This is probably one of the most ridiculous questions you have ever heard but, I have to ask.
Do any of you wear artificial nails or do you recommend or not recommend them in nursing school?
I am not a priss or anything like that, I work hard and play hard and have have hard working hands, I do everything from needlepoint t remodeling the house to working on the car, and yes I do this while in school and still maintain a 3.66 GPA.
My concern is with opening things and all during clinicals, we start our clinicals 3 weeks into the program, and if they frown up the nails, I am going to grow them out now. Responses would be appreciated. Oh ya getting really excited and nervous on starting nursing school! :roll
Get rid of those nasty things! most hospitals and nursing schools have policies against them anyway. Here was the gist of my schools dress code:
Hair clean, fixed, and up off the collar.
Clean, white leather shoes with CLEAN shoelaces.
Pressed, clean scrubs. No tears, stains, splotches.
Nails: short, clean, with no polish preferred. no artificial nails. If you must, clear or pale pink is the only allowed.
Get rid of those nasty things! most hospitals and nursing schools have policies against them anyway. Here was the gist of my schools dress code:
Hair clean, fixed, and up off the collar.
Clean, white leather shoes with CLEAN shoelaces.
Pressed, clean scrubs. No tears, stains, splotches.
Nails: short, clean, with no polish preferred. no artificial nails. If you must, clear or pale pink is the only allowed.
Wear makeup and be well groomed!
Yeah, our school is the same. Except we weren't allowed to wear even pink polish. We had a girl come in on her first day of clinicals with worn down chipped nail polish. Let's just say she had a tough time with that instructor. She hated her. She also wore her long hair down. She ended up failing her for her unprofessionalism, and since she failed a class once before she's totally out of the program.
Why wear makeup? Is it a suggestion or a requirement for the women? What about women like me who don't like to wear makeup?
That is kind of weird because back in the Florence Nightengale days, they would pick the homleist looking women 1st.
Another thought is, sometimes when patients feel like crap, the last thing they want (especially if they are women) is a female nurse/nursing student to come into their room, looking like they are ready for a night on the town. It makes them feel self conscious.
This is a good question. Artificial nails are a big infection control no no.. They also cause skin tears on the frail elderly. Nails should be short, neat, clean. Preferably 1/4 inch long. Good luck in school.
Artificial nails are not allowed where I work, although you may wear polish, but preferably clear or light colored. Nails must be short, very short. 1/4" is too long for us.
because i know i wont be able to afford to get them done once i quit my full time job and go to part time and i want to let them get healthy before school starts. i have worn nails for 15 years so i feel like i am missing a body part, not to mention my natural nails look and feel like crap, and i'm having trouble typing and picking things up too. i guess i'll get used to not having them. eventually.
PMHNP10
1,041 Posts
My response is almost totally off topic, but this is a lesson you have to learn, live, love, starting yesterday. In nursing, the only rediculous questions are the ones you don't ask. If you don't ask, you won't know the answer.
Congrats on starting your jouney and good luck to you.