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
I'm sorry, could you clarify? I've never had families take notes on me, were your 3 families unhappy with you or just taking notes on everyone/everything in general? This would be very un-nerving to have happen, especially 3 times, I do agree... did you ask them why they were taking notes? Just curious...has this happened to anyone else?
Give me a break!!!! Just because we are RNs, doesnt mean we are supposed to be puritan. WE ARE HUMAN!!!!!! Yes, I wear makeup, dye my hear and have a life!!!!!! No i do not have long nails (infection control) I value my appearance, am highly educated and a professional!!!!! Does any other profession have to succumb to this crap? I am not a virgin or puritan, nor do I represent myself that way in public! Why should I have to?
Specializes in remote, critical care, ER, hyperbarics.
Give me a break!!!! Just because we are RNs, doesnt mean we are supposed to be puritan. WE ARE HUMAN!!!!!! Yes, I wear makeup, dye my hear and have a life!!!!!! No i do not have long nails (infection control) I value my appearance, am highly educated and a professional!!!!! Does any other profession have to succumb to this crap? I am not a virgin or puritan, nor do I represent myself that way in public! Why should I have to?
AMEN SISTER!!
Of course I don't have to worry about any of that but I'm with you
I'm laughing because what one person thinks looks proffessional or stylish may be completely different. I so love the old school punk look. I have a spetum ring and tatoos. I personally would not be bothered if my nurse or doctor had any of these. I totally agree that plain does not = proffessional. But I know the majoraity of people are not going to accept my personal style and I will do what ever I have to be a working nurse. I actually start the nursing program this fall and miss my dreads already
I have to say that I am also a gum chewing, makeup wearing, jewelry wearing, perfume (although not overwhelming) wearing, cute scrub having, long hair down, nurse. I take pride in my appearance and why can't I continue that at work? I for one would much rather be known for coming to work "fixed up" than plain jane. There is a male nurse that called me "prissy" and I had to ask him what the he** that meant??? He said, "Well, you always come to work all pretty and made up." SO WHAT? I am many things....prissy is not one of them! HA! Anyway...so to all my sistahs out there with their cute outfits, coordinated earrings and pink glossy lips I say MORE POWER TO YA! And to those who prefer a less made-up look, don't judge a book by it's cover and we won't tell you to go put on some lipstick!
I prefer the use of gum. It should be used in a modest way. There is a mouthwash called Fresh Breath for people who do not prefer gum chewing. I remember long years ago, the female nurse was required to wear all white, even down to the shoes. We were required to wear caps. (Read the story behind the caps by looking up nursing caps). I can't recall where it is found, but you'll find it on the computer somewhere. Male nurses were also required to dress out in all white. The specialty nurses who worked the units had to have on scrubs which were clean and ironed with a hard press. Today, since we have gone to colored scrubs, nursing is not the same; but what on earth is?
My point...we have lost a certain kind of diligence to the profession that we once had. Remember watching Marcus Welby, MD? Julia? Emergency? These older programs had actors and actresses who portrayed our profession as it is meant to be. Perhaps we have become too comfortable with the array of colors in our work and have loss the purity in our work. Something about being in those caps and shoes and crisp white uniforms that embarks the spirit of purety in nursing. Of course, I am not saying we should go back to those days...just remember those days. Capture the memory and hold on to the sacredness of being a nurse. Coralyn Woodson
Specializes in ICU, HOME HEALTH, NURSING EDUC, CASE MGT.
I agree about being allowed to chew gum, but one must do it discreetly. Speaking about gum, this may be off topic....when I was a Army LVN nursing instructor, we were in our Med/Surg clinical rotation. Mind you, this Med/Surg floor was very busy with tons of patients, and everyone scrambling to provide patient care. I was in charge of 12 LVN students at that time. This sweet little old lady with severe dementia kept saying in a demanding tone, "Spit it out! Spit it out! Spit it out".
Her voice kept getting and louder as time went on.
The assigned LVN student was working frantically attending to her needs: bathing, changing linen, vital signs, etc. All the while, this poor young nursing student was constantly checking this poor old lady's mouth, and perplexed why she repeating herself over and over for at least an hour. After checking on the other nursing students, I finally went over to the her bedside, and asked her , "Spit out what"? She pointed to the young nursing student's mouth and stated, "THE GUM"!!! The chewing of the gum was driving her over the edge!
The nursing student felt so embarrassed, and at last he spit the gum out. The little old lady finally calmed down, and took her nap. We were all so happy! :clpty:
This entry by you is definitely on time. Often people, and nurses too; fail to realize the impact that certain noise have on people. Music is considered a noise, however even music which is meant to calm can be annoying to some people. Therefore I agree with you about the gum. I certainly hope that all of us can be mindful of how annoying some things we do around others can be. Enjoyed reading your post.
I can see both sides of a lot of views her and can only state my own observations. Gum is not seen much where I work but a lot of staff use the breath strips or mints of some kind. (I use a Cinnamon flavoured mint and have had comments that it smells nice).
I dont wear a ring anymore, I took it off before donning gloves and came back to find someone needed it more than me....explaining that to the wife brings back memories of a not-so-pleasant evening!
As for apearance I think that as long as someone is well groomed I dont feel that there is (too) much to be concerned about, I worked in a department (ED) where several staff members had piercings and visible tatoos, one bloke even had a hairstyle that my old bosses in the military would call "extreme". However everyone was well groomed and no complaints came out because they were professional in their attitude and behaviour. I wont even mention the look of the Dr's.
As for ironing...I use the tumble iron, (clothes dryer) take the clothes out and shake them at the end of the cycle and you wouldn't know the difference, unless you like the look of creases)
It's about your professional ability. How dare anyone judge me on my appearance!!!!!
Appearance is all we got to judge you on before we have the chance to find out your professional ability. First impressions are by no means the best judge of professionalism, but we can't escape the fact that the first time someone sees us, they WILL form a first impression. To come to work with neat hair, unwrinkled clothes, and avoiding extreme fashion styles shows that you have put effort into your appearance for work and that you're considering other people's sensitivities. Now you only have to prove that your compentency matches your professional appearance. As opposed to looking unprofessional and having to not only prove that you're not unprofessional but that you're also competent. Presenting a good first impression - which means keeping other people's sensitivities in mind - I think IS part of being professional. The attitude of "if you don't like it, tough luck" doesn't seem very professional in my opinion.
After checking on the other nursing students, I finally went over to the her bedside, and asked her , "Spit out what"? She pointed to the young nursing student's mouth and stated, "THE GUM"!!! The chewing of the gum was driving her over the edge! 
daverika
57 Posts
I'm sorry, could you clarify? I've never had families take notes on me, were your 3 families unhappy with you or just taking notes on everyone/everything in general? This would be very un-nerving to have happen, especially 3 times, I do agree... did you ask them why they were taking notes? Just curious...has this happened to anyone else?