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...
okay...i admit it...im one of those horrible gum chewers (i dont smack though lol)...and as far as scrubs, my job doesnt do the solid color thing, so i have a bunch of stuff with animal and character prints on them, but as long as they look neat and not like i camped out in em, then i feel that's okay.
to that end, i worked with this lpn at my first nursing home job (i'll call her m) omg she must have been the worst dresser ive ever seen in my life!! she used to wear an all white uniform, but the top would be see through (i mean almost clear) with her bra showing! ugh! oh wait let me back up....she was in her 60's and just a tad bit overweight...and sometimes you could guess what she had for dinner by the stains she had all over her. she was a hot mess! if she was that sloppy about her own appearance, i hope to h--- she was more careful than that about her residents. okay, rant over:spbox:
about the animal prints on the uniforms... i heard some rns complain they were confused with the cleaning staff... no wonder, their uniforms have sponge bobs and flowers... in my opinion animal prints/cartoons are ok in pediatrics, but are simply not professional in an adult unit...
Well,I iron my uniforms,I shower,full makeup,I think I always look pretty good.My shoes,I always make sure they are clean.I keep my nails cut and clean,but I do wear polish,they look horrible without color!I do confess,I have gum constantly,and I try not to let it pop,but it just does.It isint that loud,when I notice I taper off.The gum chewing keeps me from biting my tounge off,as I starve until I can eat.The little bit of sugar helps me too!Orbit is the only way to go!!!Oh yea,It also helps me curb my cig addiction,which is another topic.I do however in no way see myself or others as "a low life"because of gum!
No one in our unit is allowed to wear rings of any kind. Ugh...the grossness that lives under there. :grn:
Some of the staff pins their ring(s) to their tops, but many just leave them at home.
How about if you clean it every day with the alcohol wipes? I also wear the gloves almost every time I touch the patient... It's just a habit of grabbing a pair of gloves as soon as I get in the room...
Ha-ha, pretty sure some young and attractive people understood what I meant... sorry, don't want to come across as arrogant but I have men trying to approach me very often, not just at work. It just makes it easier for me...
Was wondering what your infection control people say about that?
Conclusions: Wearing a single plain finger ring did not increase the total bacterial load on the hands, nor was it associated with an increased rate of carriage of S. aureus or nonfermentative gram-negative rods. However, plain rings were associated with an increased rate of Enterobacteriaceae carriage but paired comparison of the ring-bearing and ring-free hands of these HCWs did not show significant differences ( ). Carriage of nonfermentative gram-negative rods did not differ between the 2 groups, by either paired or nonpaired analysis.
Conclusions: Wearing a single plain finger ring did not increase the total bacterial load on the hands, nor was it associated with an increased rate of carriage of S. aureus or nonfermentative gram-negative rods. However, plain rings were associated with an increased rate of Enterobacteriaceae carriage but paired comparison of the ring-bearing and ring-free hands of these HCWs did not show significant differences ( ). Carriage of nonfermentative gram-negative rods did not differ between the 2 groups, by either paired or nonpaired analysis.
I have seen many people saying they will not wear a ring but they still wear watches... they should get rid of watches then too...
Was wondering what your infection control people say about that?
The infectious control should be more concerned about health care workers not cleaning the stethoscopes between auscultating patients and puls ox machine... I have seen at some hospital RNs and PCTs using same BP cuff for different patients. Isn't this much more important that a ring? Think how many bacteria there is on the pen that you write with in the hospital? You also need to clean purses you take to work and cell phone regularly... I bet much more nasty stuff there than on the ring... How about your shoes, scrubs, etc? Many of us walk around in it, drive back home, go shopping (!)... but a big concerns is still A RING!
I have seen many people saying they will not wear a ring but they still wear watches... they should get rid of watches then too...
Many nurses don't wear watches either. With MRSA infecting patients at record levels...it's really no contest. There should be no discussion about this stuff anymore - no rings, no watches, no nail polish, no fake nails, no bracelets...it's a black and white issue. It is unbelievable that educated professionals still try and debate this.
Last week, I had note taking relatives on three occasions - I used to be annoyed with this behaviour - now I am not so sure. A lack of confidence in nursing staff stems from poor appearance
Many nurses don't wear watches either. With MRSA infecting patients at record levels...it's really no contest. There should be no discussion about this stuff anymore - no rings, no watches, no nail polish, no fake nails, no bracelets...it's a black and white issue. It is unbelievable that educated professionals still try and debate this.
Last week, I had note taking relatives on three occasions - I used to be annoyed with this behaviour - now I am not so sure. A lack of confidence in nursing staff stems from poor appearance
According to the most of infectious disease control articles simple engagement rings/weddings bands are permitted to be worn. You can put a watch really high up or just take it off when washing hands, it just shouldn't be interfering with hand washing. I also posted a research article about the rings. Besides, it is good to always put gloves on not only wash the hands.
Not sure what you meant with the second paragraph. Taking stands?
). Carriage of nonfermentative gram-negative rods did not differ between the 2 groups, by either paired or nonpaired analysis.
Olli
56 Posts
about the animal prints on the uniforms... i heard some rns complain they were confused with the cleaning staff... no wonder, their uniforms have sponge bobs and flowers... in my opinion animal prints/cartoons are ok in pediatrics, but are simply not professional in an adult unit...