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...
Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.
I must agree with JBudd. I have seen too many people smacking, cracking and otherwise showing me their gum. It's personally disgusting to me. I always have wintergreen mints, peppermints, and a toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash. Too many bad associations with gum-smackers. There are some people who can be discreet with the gum; however, those who can't be have ruined it for everyone else.
I always try to look professional. I work pediatrics, so some of my tops/jackets are child-oriented (no SpongeBob, though). I'm one of those dinosaurs who irons uniforms. I take a lot of kidding for it - but I can't stand looking like I slept in my clothes. I fix my hair and do wear makeup. Nails are short and well groomed. They're short mainly because all that foam and handwashing just does them in.
I just started at a LTC facility and you'd be surprised at the nurses appearances. I was a LPN prior to becoming an RN and it seems like some of the nurses now are pretty rough looking. Some of the LPN's don't have a tooth in their mouth. Sorry but first impressions are important. How can you portray a professional attitude when you don't seem to care about your own appearance? If it was my family member in that facility and I saw the charge nurse or a LPN passing meds and he/she looked like they didn't care for themselves I'd wonder - How is their work ethic?- Are they sloppy about their jobs too? I know that you can't judge a book by it's cover but first impressions speak volumes.....JMO
I always chewed gum or had a mint. It served several purposes. It kept my breath fresh, but more important it would block some NASTY smells that can occur during a shift. I never snapped and was real good at hiding under my tongue. I made sure it was not bubble gum--
My biggest pet peeve was long nails. When I left my last acute care position they had begun dictating our uniforms (nurses could only wear blue pants and white tops. No cute little scrubs. Come on. The first thing I did when I was graduate was place my cap in the back of the closet. (It is so covered with years of dust my dust bunnies are afraid of it)
As long as you come to work clean, smiling, and ready for anything-what does it matter??:heartbeat
I'm not against it in principle, but there are some people who just can't seem to control themselves when they've got gum. I think we all have to abstain because the few crackers, smackers, poppers, and open-mouthed chewers have gone too far....:anbd:
Following that line of thought we all have to stop doing anything if anyone else has done it it too much or inappropriately. How silly!
Funny this topic has come up. I despise chewing gum. Truly I would rather smell bad breath than that horrible icky mint smell. It makes me nauseous. JMO.[/quote']
I'm the same way... I can take feces, urine, and plenty of other things that are too gross for other people to handle, but I HATE gum. I'll take coffee breath or garlic breath in stride, but I'll cringe if someone with gum in her mouth gets close enough for me to smell it.
You and I are in a tiny minority, though. Everyone I've told about my gum aversion has thought of me as very odd.
Geez.... I make one little comment in another post about gum chewing and it brings up this whole thread. I find gum chewing unprofessional. I decided years ago, when I was a student and told we were not allowed to chew gum that it was a good rule. I have seen many nurses over the years that can't seem to keep it quietly in their mouth. So, do I let some chew it and some not??? I choose to be fair and just make it mandatory that there is no gum chewing.
As for the rest of the dress code. The hair needs to be pulled back or up if it is longer than shoulder length, otherwise when they bend forward, it hangs in their face. I allow scrubs of any color or pattern. Jeans on Friday with a facility t-shirt or scrub top, wedding or engagment rings only as they harbor bacteria, no fake nails and nails are to be a workable length (polish is okay), no shorts more than an inch above the knee (had to ban them in one facility due to a staff person wearing daisy dukes), socks or nylons are a must, white shoes (may be sneakers), no thongs or g-strings if visible through the pants ( believe me, this has been an issue in the past), make-up has never been a problem... pretty much everyone I've worked with does a very nice job when applying it. There.... that's the majority of my dress code, I may have missed a point or two.
Ok, so I know this will sound weird coming from a guy but I am very high maintaince with my appearance. I have blonde highlights (which I tone nearly everyday), I wear Prada or Gaultier colonge, and I have facial cream that costs me $200 for 8 onces - but its worth it for beauty. As for when I work, I wear my professional navy blue uniform, my colonge (not to much just 3 or 4 squirts) and i use Altiods for offensive breath.
But have you seen female residents? High heels, skirts, jewelry, hair done... maybe it's just at my hospital.
For the specialties where scrubs are not permitted (most everything except surgery), we are expectedto dress professionally. For most women, it seems to be a little difficult to put on freshly ironed slacks, a nice blouse, then not do their makeup and hair to match.
Typically, the problem that shows up in medical students is exactly the opposite of what you're talking about. Every class has the one or two girls who thinks that "professional" means a plunging neckline, stilletto heels, and a miniskirt. The conversation with them is usually a little awkward.
the gum thing: i work 13 hours many times without a potty brake or time to grab a drink/something to eat. my breath would be really, really rank w/out my trusty stride gum--so yeah, i chew it and that wont change. i feel like i am doing something nice for my patients and fellow nurses by not exposing them to my 3AM halitosis.
Well, I think it all starts with a good hot shower before work. I always make an effort to have my hair and makeup done as if I were a professional at any sort of corporate setting. No hoochie mamma make up piled on, but but I feel I owe it to the pts. to look decent and I try to "freshen" up on my breaks. I encounter a lot of patients and families during the day and If I'm well groomed, I feel it brings me more confidence. I myself would not want some sweaty unkept nurse who looked like she didn't care about her appearance taking care of me!
No long nails for me -- no way harbors germs and I have no idea how one would pull gloves on and off all day with long nails?? I'm guilty of gum chewing, but I try to throw it out after a while. I also spray on a very light cologne throughout the day as well for a lift -- no complaints yet from anyone. Sorry, but that "funk" that seems to grow on me seriously affects how I feel during the day . . .
Docs seem to gussy up quite a bit -- always in professional suits, ties, etc. -- why shouldn't nurses do the same?
I have always hated gum, but I just don't see any way around it. Can't stand the coffee/lunch aftertaste/smell. I know some people get carried away...
Mints seem to make the taste/breath worse after they wear off.
After reading this thread, I might try putting a travel sized mouthwash in my bag. I just don't know if I'll be able to make myself take the time to get it out and use it.
Also, popping in a fresh piece of gum really perks me up somehow.
AlabamaBelle
476 Posts
I must agree with JBudd. I have seen too many people smacking, cracking and otherwise showing me their gum. It's personally disgusting to me. I always have wintergreen mints, peppermints, and a toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash. Too many bad associations with gum-smackers. There are some people who can be discreet with the gum; however, those who can't be have ruined it for everyone else.
I always try to look professional. I work pediatrics, so some of my tops/jackets are child-oriented (no SpongeBob, though). I'm one of those dinosaurs who irons uniforms. I take a lot of kidding for it - but I can't stand looking like I slept in my clothes. I fix my hair and do wear makeup. Nails are short and well groomed. They're short mainly because all that foam and handwashing just does them in.