Scrubs: Are Colorful Ones Unprofessional?

Nurses Professionalism

Published

  1. Are colorful scrubs less professional?

    • 3
      Yes
    • 18
      No
    • 17
      Depends on the scrub
    • 35
      Depends on the facility/type of specialty

73 members have participated

So, I recently accepted a position where the dress code is very laid back. Any style or color works, and you can even wear front prints. While I am able to and plan to wear my navy scrubs from my previous nursing job to this one, I had thought about buying one or two "fun tops" for the weekend. However, someone advised me to stick with the navy blue so I look and feel more professional. What are your opinions? Are colorful scrubs less professional than more neutral/traditional colored scrubs?

the only problem at my LTC is that some people do not care well for their scrubs and need to get to know their iron. the other problem is buying any uniform that is 100% cotton,these often wrinkle more often. staff has been told to look more professional or maybe the dress code will be changed to only certain colors.also blue jean day has been stopped due to the appearance of the scrubs, be it wrinkles or bad fit.

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Specializes in Trauma, ED, ICU.

IMO, Solid colors are professional. Prints not so much. It's hard to take someone seriously that wears cutsey, prints. Just saying.

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Specializes in PICU, peds, nursing instructor.

I have worked peds for 12+ years, and we all wear colorful, fun prints, and cartoons, and I like it. That being said, my first experience as a nursing clinical instructor (in pediatrics) and having an evaluation done, I was marked down for wearing my Dora the Explorer print scrub top with matching pink scrub bottoms. Both of the senior nursing staff evaluating me said I looked "unprofessional" and although my student/teaching interactions were stellar, I was a little bit upset with the comments regarding my uniform choice.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I work with older adults and have a lion king and star wars scrub top...because men can wear fun scrubs too. The only comments I get are compliments about them...no one questions my professionalism ;)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I wore colorful, tasteful (in my eyes) scrubs.

Floral print tops in bright colors with solid colored pants. Solid pink pants and tops. Sometimes solid navy. Sometimes 2 matching solids in different colored tops and bottoms.

My scrubs were always pressed and looked neat and (I think) professional. No cartoon prints for me.

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