I was just reading another forum here "What do you bring to work." Many RNs mentioned they bring gum. One RN though said that she forbids her staff to chew a gum on the floor. I sure understand that it does not look good when you obviously chew the gum when taking to a patient or a family but on the other hand... are we to much restricted when it comes to our looks and actions? In nursing school they provided a long list to us of what we should not wear to a clinical. My uniform was dark blue and made of polyster! I could only wear plain white shoes, white socks, white Tshirt, etc. No make up, no nails, no earrings. A hair should be in a ponytail. My instructor even suggested I do something with my bangs (they are long and to the side, not in my eyes though). But have you seen female residents? High heels, skirts, jewelry, hair done... maybe it's just at my hospital. Anyway, while in nursing school, I modeled too and I appreciate women's beauty. I refuse to accept that "plain" stands for "professional". I do use some make up, buy nice uniforms (no flowers and sponge bobs though!!!), and even though I have short nails, I always have them done and I still have my bangs to the side... I also always have a pack of gum with me and I only heard the compliments from coworkers, my supervisors and patients , noting about being unprofessional... Maybe we are not just RNs, but women too...
I really don't think makeup should be prohibited. I have had friends who suffer from skin problems and they NEED makeup in order to maintain a decent appearance. And personally, I like makeup because it makes me look pretty:)
Hard to believe this thread has gone on this long, but since it has, I just HAVE to offer my two cents
1- Gum chewing is rarely discreet. At least, I believe it isn't as discreet as the chewer would like to believe. That said, if those of you who insist on chewing it really WERE discreet, I'd have no problem with it at all. But I haven't had the good fortune of working with the great majority of nurses here, it seems: I always know a gum chewer is nearby by the popping and smacking sounds, and then there's the open-mouthed look that's just so pretty....
2- I have no idea why any facility or school would ban makeup as part of the dress code. In today's society, it's just considered good grooming to wear simple, clean makeup. Of course, not all women need it for good grooming, but certainly MANY of us do look more "finished" and yes, cleaner somehow, with a fresh, light dusting of makeup. I don't have the good fortune to have those marvelous genes that gives one smooth, evenly textured and evenly toned skin. I GET that nice look courtesy of a certain powder foundation, a brush of blush, and a flick of mascara. Why anyone would think that greasy, large pores and a breakout on the chin should be SEEN when it can be camouflaged is anyone's guess!
3- Scrubs should be clean, unwrinkled (I can forgive you at the end of your shift, but not if you come in like that). They should be stain-free, look fresh, and of such a style as to not have your patients think you are part of the volunteer entertainment squad. They should know you are a medical professional, and not someone wandering around in her jammies (or who has just borrowed her 12-year-old's jammies!).
I read many posts that said that we should not judge people by the gum, the type of outfits, etc. But reality is that patients ALL JUDGE everyone by their appearance and demeanor before they ever let us work on them. At least the A+Ox3 ones do
Remember, in order to get the opportunity to show someone you ARE a professional, they have to assume you are one when you approach. It doesn't matter how good a nurse you are, if your patients have less confidence in you because of the personal image you project.
Ms. Nurse Assistant, LPN
452 Posts
I really don't think makeup should be prohibited. I have had friends who suffer from skin problems and they NEED makeup in order to maintain a decent appearance. And personally, I like makeup because it makes me look pretty:)