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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
When I was in nursing school, we had to have short nails. No artificial nails at all. Prior to entering clinicals the comment from instructors was ......... hold your hand in front of your face........ palm to your face, if you can see the tip of your nails over the ends of your fingertips......... they are too long.
Most nursing schools and employers have a policy that states no aritificial nails.
Our nursing school would not allow perfume or scented lotions (like from Bath & Body Works) either. Hair off the collar, (we couldnt even have ponytails.... had to be completely secured, like in a bun), men could not have beards, but could have a neatly trimmed mustache.
Here's an article about this:
http://www.nursezone.com/stories/SpotlightOnNurses.asp?articleID=12768
Reads in part "The CDC recommended in its hand hygiene guidelines published in Oct. 2002, that "health care personnel should avoid wearing artificial nails and keep natural nails no longer than one quarter of an inch long if caring for patients at high-risk of acquiring infections."
I agree that you are going to have to remove them for school and some jobs but PLEASE, PLEASE, have them removed by a professional. They have things to remove them without tearing up the nail beds to badly. I have worn them for 20 years and believe me when I tell you that taking them off yourself is bad. The stuff they have at a discount store does not work very well. If you loved your nails enough to have a professional put them on then love them enough to have professional take them off.
NeoNurseTX, RN
1,803 Posts
No fake nails and our real nails could only be about 2mm long. You really don't want long nails to pick up all the nasty stuff you'll come across!