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 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 on our Med/Surg clinical rotation. Mind you, this Med/Surg floor was very busy with tons of patients, and everybody was 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 louder 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 LVN nursing student was constantly checking this poor little old lady's mouth, and perplexed as to why she repeating herself over and over for at least an hour. After checking on the other LVN 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:
I attempted to correct some of the grammar. I was too tired when I posted this. :zzzzz
I think a smile, or a caring expression (or lack thereof) is the most important part of any nurse's appearance. It goes a lot further to affect a patient's comfort level than any hair color, piercing, or tattoo.
Well, how female residents dress is totally different...they have to come to the hospital to see their patients, and then go back to the office to see patients there too...so they need to be professional.
That is one of the reasons why it's so easy to spot a physician at a hospital, because instead of scrubs, they usually wear business casual.
I am all for a professional appearance. Cheap scrubs look like you have slept in them at the end of the day. Good scrubs lose their stains, they stay with a pressed look throughout the day, and they don't look like pj's.
I have seen too many nurses come to work looking like they crawled out of bed...that is always unprofessional.
People are fooling themselves (in any profession) if they think that their appearance isn't being evaluated along with the quality of care...it makes a difference in how you are perceived as a professional.
I wear beautful, custom made, ironed, scrubs. I clean and sanitize my shoes daily, and they are bright white. I coordinate my earrings, (small, post), necklaces, barrettes, and watches to match my scrubs. My nails are short, and natural. I wear my hair in a neat bun, and I chew gum the whole shift.
I work on a Med/Surg unit and I was told that I could wear anything I like that there is not a specific color or uniform for Nurses. I responded with I plan to wear my whites. I was told by another RN that was listening to the conversation that white is not a color and should never be allowed....I was floored. I think white truly gives nurses a professional appearance. If I were in ped's I may feel different because little kids should see lots of colors. There are a few nurses that wear the whites so I will not stick out like a sore thumb.
Sorry, may be a little biased on this one. As far as appearance, clean and professional should be enough. I have exzema, and sometimes look red, or, as far as I am concerned, "gross" in general. I don't wear make up. My body, hair, and clothes are always clean. I have 23 years experience, and am VERY good at what I do, from what I have been told. I am not being cocky.
Bad habits: I am one of the last smoking nurses. DON'T START! I chew gum before seeing patients, and during. Keep it "stashed", i.e., don't chomp and crack the gum while talking.
Please don't be so crazy as to judge nurses superficially. If a good nurse does something that HAS caused comment, discuss with her. I have had professionals judge me incorrectly! I always let my patients know right off the bat that I have exzema, that it is not contagious, but that I am going to wash my hands for my benefit, and theirs! Why make anyone worry?
I have dealt with more nurses than you know, that really are hygenically unacceptable for many reasons. I speak to them one on one, then, if necessary, terminate them. It does matter, if it becomes a patient issue.
But for the rest, look at skills, education, and patient care! Lets take care of each other, so we can help everyone else!
Believe It Or Not I Used To Get In Trouble For Wearing Ironed Scrubs With Creases, I Always Was Coordinated With Scrubs, Socks, Hair Bows Etc. Don't Wear Makeup But My Mother Says If You Look Professional You Act Professional I Always Felt Because I Was A Good Nurse That Was All They Could Fault Me For Was My Appearance:yeah:
Believe It Or Not I Used To Get In Trouble For Wearing Ironed Scrubs With Creases, I Always Was Coordinated With Scrubs, Socks, Hair Bows Etc. Don't Wear Makeup But My Mother Says If You Look Professional You Act Professional I Always Felt Because I Was A Good Nurse That Was All They Could Fault Me For Was My Appearance:yeah:
BEING A GOOD NURSE MEANS GIVING A PART OF YOUR HEART.....]
Wow, I didn't realize we were such a group of gum chewers! I also totally agree with whoever said that what may be professional to one person, is not to another. Personally to me, nothing is a bigger pet peeve than to see a nurse wear the same pair or two of scrubs every day for years on end! This of course results in them being so faded and dingy. Scrubs are not that expensive! There is something wrong if we cannot afford to replace them at least every five years!
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']
Wow.
I think the gum can make you feel a little better during a shift making you feel refreshed. We are in such close proximity to our patients we need to smell good and feel good about how we smell. Most gums have a pleasant smell and I have never been told my gum was offensive.
I work on a Med/Surg unit and I was told that I could wear anything I like that there is not a specific color or uniform for Nurses. I responded with I plan to wear my whites. I was told by another RN that was listening to the conversation that white is not a color and should never be allowed....I was floored. I think white truly gives nurses a professional appearance. If I were in ped's I may feel different because little kids should see lots of colors. There are a few nurses that wear the whites so I will not stick out like a sore thumb.
Thats my ,
Bertina
If you want, you could be a smart a** and tell that RN that yes, white is technically a color. It's the combination of all colors in the light spectrum.
How do I know this? Because wikipedia tells me so! Actually, I already knew this info, but here's the link to back you up:
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.
At my graduation from RN school we had a very strict dress code, black shoes and a black dress. I noticed during the ceremony one of the Medical Students had on lime green flip flops. The person that lined us up checked our shoes while we lining up. You would think that the MD's would had have as much respect as the nurses did.
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91C_ARMYLPN
80 Posts
I attempted to correct some of the grammar. I was too tired when I posted this. :zzzzz