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...
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
Also, its common for educated professionals to debate an issue: look at the research, argue and come to a conclusion. It often can't be just black and white like you said. I used to be annoyed with people whom you provide with research articles and they just say "this can't be argued" can it stems from a poor appearance too.
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?
Re the second paragraph - as an increasingly educated public becomes more aware of hospital acquired infection - expect more note taking and other behaviour suggestive of lack of confidence with healthcare workers. A poor professional appearance contributes to their lack of trust.
Every day I work with coworkers who wear rings (often several at once), bracelets (including difficult to clean fabric and rubber thingies), fake nails ( in my large ED I have counted 7 RN's with them including two charge nurses). Several RN's have long chipped dirty nails with old polish coming off). About half still have wristwatches on (these are the ones who don't wash their hands past their wrists). Only one male nurse bothers to shave every day. Frequently I notice RN's with greasy hair. And there are many who smoke - their gum and mints don't do much to cover up the smell. Quite a few don't iron their srubs or clean their shoes.
Would I want an RN like this to cannulate me? The answer is NO
Specializes in Telemetry, Med Surg, Pediatrics, ER.
Re the second paragraph - as an increasingly educated public becomes more aware of hospital acquired infection - expect more note taking and other behaviour suggestive of lack of confidence with healthcare workers. A poor professional appearance contributes to their lack of trust.
Every day I work with coworkers who wear rings (often several at once), bracelets (including difficult to clean fabric and rubber thingies), fake nails ( in my large ED I have counted 7 RN's with them including two charge nurses). Several RN's have long chipped dirty nails with old polish coming off). About half still have wristwatches on (these are the ones who don't wash their hands past their wrists). Only one male nurse bothers to shave every day. Frequently I notice RN's with greasy hair. And there are many who smoke - their gum and mints don't do much to cover up the smell. Quite a few don't iron their srubs or clean their shoes.
Would I want an RN like this to cannulate me? The answer is NO
So the public should not have confidence in my skills if I choose to wear my wedding band? I do not wear my engagement ring, but I do not intend to remove my wedding band. That does not make me any less of a professional or give anyone reason to doubt my abilities.
So the public should not have confidence in my skills if I choose to wear my wedding band? I do not wear my engagement ring, but I do not intend to remove my wedding band. That does not make me any less of a professional or give anyone reason to doubt my abilities.
In many workplaces you would be able to wear your wedding band, as long as it was plain. In others, you would not be allowed to wear rings of any kind.
I am about to transfer to an area where no rings, wristwatches, fake nails etc are allowed....yaaahhhhh :nuke:
Specializes in Telemetry, Med Surg, Pediatrics, ER.
In many workplaces you would be able to wear your wedding band, as long as it was plain. In others, you would not be allowed to wear rings of any kind.
I am about to transfer to an area where no rings, wristwatches, fake nails etc are allowed....yaaahhhhh :nuke:
I haven't worked in an area where wedding rings were banned. Some do wear their engagement rings. I only wear my band, but that is my own personal decision. I do not think my coworkers are any less professional for their personal decisions.
I haven't worked in an area where wedding rings were banned. Some do wear their engagement rings. I only wear my band, but that is my own personal decision. I do not think my coworkers are any less professional for their personal decisions.
They are indeed less professional if they elect to wear rings - because they are electing to impede handwashing effectiveness. They are choosing to make personal choice ( or personal freedom) a higher priority than the huge body of infection control literature which most generally says that jewellry should not be worn.
It will always be possible to locate the odd study which hasn't found fault with jewellry, but it is a mistake to choose to view these studies as gospel.
All I can say is omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I would worry more about loosing a diamond,than contacting some bacteria..To each is own.Please dont ever infer non-professionalism for those that choose to wear their rings!We all work so hard{most of us}and then we have to now hear this.We are the most scrutinized group of professionals I have ever heard of.Frankly,this is ridiculous!
Specializes in CNA, Surgical, Pediatrics, SDS, ER.
I chew gum religously at work, I drink coffee all day long and I don't want to be that up close and personal w/out a stick of gum. Extra spearamint gum is my preferance. It also relaxes me a little and decreases my urge to smoke.
As for appearance I always shower b4 work my hair is usually up out of my face and I wear a neutral eye shadow and mascara for make-up. My hair is naturaly curly so I have to put a bunch of junk in it to keep it somewhat tame so it's much easier to keep it up.
As for rings I wear my wedding ring and mother's ring to work.
They are indeed less professional if they elect to wear rings - because they are electing to impede handwashing effectiveness. They are choosing to make personal choice ( or personal freedom) a higher priority than the huge body of infection control literature which most generally says that jewellry should not be worn.
It will always be possible to locate the odd study which hasn't found fault with jewellry, but it is a mistake to choose to view these studies as gospel.
Unprofessional I shall remain! I work in a psych unit, all females are encouraged to wear wedding bands according to our DON.
Specializes in Telemetry, Med Surg, Pediatrics, ER.
They are indeed less professional if they elect to wear rings
That is your opinion, not fact. How do you equate someone's professionalism with the fact that they wear their wedding rings? How professional is it to sit back and make judgements criticizing your coworkers as you are doing? If one of my family members is rushed to the hospital today I don't care if the nurse is wearing their wedding band or not. Personally, they can have the oily hair that you have criticized. If they do their job then I am thankful they were there to help my loved one. I guess you have "walked a mile" in the shoes of all of those you choose to judge, otherwise what gives you the right?
That is your opinion, not fact. How do you equate someone's professionalism with the fact that they wear their wedding rings? How professional is it to sit back and make judgements criticizing your coworkers as you are doing? If one of my family members is rushed to the hospital today I don't care if the nurse is wearing their wedding band or not. Personally, they can have the oily hair that you have criticized. If they do their job then I am thankful they were there to help my loved one. I guess you have "walked a mile" in the shoes of all of those you choose to judge, otherwise what gives you the right?[/quote
This is about infection control issues plus the poor professional appearance of some nurses. If your infection control policy says you are not supposed to be wearing rings - then you are not supposed to be wearing rings. I am moving to an area where they enforce the no rings/wristwatches/bracelets policy...it is a PROFESSIONAL issue.
And no, they don't look plain or less feminine. They look like they care about effective handwashing and the health of themselves and their patients.
Specializes in Telemetry, Med Surg, Pediatrics, ER.
[/quote
This is about infection control issues plus the poor professional appearance of some nurses. If your infection control policy says you are not supposed to be wearing rings - then you are not supposed to be wearing rings. I am moving to an area where they enforce the no rings/wristwatches/bracelets policy...it is a PROFESSIONAL issue.
And no, they don't look plain or less feminine. They look like they care about effective handwashing and the health of themselves and their patients.
I don't think anyone has mentioned looking "plain" or "less feminine". I don't see how you get that a nurse is any less professional because of her choice to wear a wedding band. I wonder how many times the chef that has prepared your meal has worn jewelry? He may have been cutting up a chicken before he prepared your salad. I am a PROFESSIONAL and your interpretation of other's perceptions is skewed. You are entitled to your personal opinions, but it is more than a little unfair to make such broad generalizations based upon your view of PROFESSIONALISM.
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Olli
56 Posts
Also, its common for educated professionals to debate an issue: look at the research, argue and come to a conclusion. It often can't be just black and white like you said. I used to be annoyed with people whom you provide with research articles and they just say "this can't be argued" can it stems from a poor appearance too.