Scrubs to tight? How do you tell someone?

Jen911 · May 21, 2008

I always love this topic, and I'm never afraid to say something about it. Crack should never be showing when someone is bending over, nor should the top of their G-string. One gal I used to work with was such a repeat offender, I finally put a penny in the slot and told her I could no longer keep myself from playing the slots! She finally got the clue. :uhoh3:

santhony44, MSN, RN, NP · May 21, 2008

Unfortunately, being male, any comment you make will probably get an offended "Why are you looking?" reaction. Never mind that it's right in your face and you can't help but notice.

I'd approach the charge nurse or nurse manager you have the best rapport with and the one you think is most likely to take the complaint seriously. Make it clear that you really try not to notice but that when old Mr. Jones said loudly "My Lord, look at that!" your head turned and you looked before you could stop yourself. Or, you might mention that you hadn't noticed but that you overheard the table of old gentlemen in the dining room discussing Suzy's butt over lunch. You, of course, don't feel comfortable telling Suzy this yourself but you think she needs to know....

The perfect solution probably won't happen. That would be for the loudest, brashest LOL resident in the facility to be right behind Suzy the next time it happens. She would then, in her best voice that can be heard three blocks down, announce:

"Look at that! Her butt's as big as a city bus and she's got on red drawers and I can even see her crack! My God!"

MikeyJ, RN · May 21, 2008

On the same topic, I used to work at a very well respected and "higher-end" department store and there was this younger female in the ladies clothing department that was probably 70 pounds overweight. She insisted on wearing TIGHT TIGHT clothing to work and wore far too much make-up. Managers had to speak to her on a daily basis and even forced her to go home and change a few times.

Oddly, she and I were both taking pre-nursing classes when I worked with her. She should have graduated from nursing school by now and I wonder from time to time what type of clothing she wears in the hospital.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · May 21, 2008

I have seen this too, but frankly I feel it is NONE of my business, but ALL of my administrations if they care to do anything about it!

At times I have done what I have done with patients when their gowns are open...a little whisper of "Oh dear, seeing a little too much skin showing there". Typically the person realizes it and fixes it and lo and behold...those particular items are either not seen again, or with appropriate other clothing items to cover it...

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · May 21, 2008

i had a cna the other day that was bent over and her hinny was showing...i just told her "hey your butt is hanging out"...i also mentioned the next time i saw it i would put a piece of ice down her pants to remind her to pull up her britches...

aint nothing wrong with telling it like it is...

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · May 21, 2008

Oh...not with staff but patients...funny story that makes many giggle still!

You always have those male patients that don't seem to know, or rather like having their privates showing.

Well one day I had a gent that was constantly tearing off his gown and going 'commando'. He was confused so right in front of the RN desk for monitoring....well I walked in and gasped on purpose and said "oh darling..don't want to let the stalion out of the barn like that all the time..what would the mares think????".

For some reason...IT worked!!!!! Now I hear the other nurses using the same phrase like "oops, stalion is out of the barn sir"...or "Keep that stalion in the barn today sir"...it is hillarious!!!!!!!

Perpetual Student · May 21, 2008

Leave some Weight Watchers or other weight loss materials at the nursing station with a typed note (so she can't recognize your writing) addressing it to Ms. I Can't Wear Properly Fitting Pants.

Perhaps something like

"I dislike big butts and I cannot lie

cannot deny

that when a nurse walks in with a bulging waist

and sticks that big ol' round thing your face

you get chunks flung"

Ok, I am not now nor will I ever be a rapper.:uhoh21: That would probably be a childish and demeaning tactic, but it'd be hilarious.

It absolutely disgusts me when people wear clothing that reveals too much of their bodies, especially when they're morbidly obese. I once had a woman walk by with her belly hanging out the bottom of her intentionally too small shirt while I was in a restaurant. I loudly stated "I am trying to eat here, what is with these (expletive) cows that have to expose themselves while they graze from one place to another?" Unfortunately, she didn't hear it r/t the loud music, though I guess that's good because she might've charged.

If you don't look like you could be a Media star don't try to dress like one! :madface:

RN1982 · May 21, 2008

Leave some Weight Watchers or other weight loss materials at the nursing station with a typed note (so she can't recognize your writing) addressing it to Ms. I Can't Wear Properly Fitting Pants.
Perhaps something like
"I dislike big butts and I cannot lie
cannot deny
that when a nurse walks in with a bulging waist
and sticks that big ol' round thing your face
you get chunks flung"
Ok, I am not now nor will I ever be a rapper.:uhoh21: That would probably be a childish and demeaning tactic, but it'd be hilarious.
It absolutely disgusts me when people wear clothing that reveals too much of their bodies, especially when they're morbidly obese. I once had a woman walk by with her belly hanging out the bottom of her intentionally too small shirt while I was in a restaurant. I loudly stated "I am trying to eat here, what is with these (expletive) cows that have to expose themselves while they graze from one place to another?" Unfortunately, she didn't hear it r/t the loud music, though I guess that's good because she might've charged.
If you don't look like you could be a Media star don't try to dress like one!

I am a bigger sized woman and I agree that people should dress to fit their body. It doesn't mean that someone bigger can't wear something nice. The things that you mentioned I find just plain rude and offensive and immature.

Perpetual Student · May 21, 2008

Less rude than people (of whatever build) who find it necessary to expose themselves in public. I am sorry if you interpreted my response as a slam on all heavy people as that was not my intention. I just believe the OP could benefit from shaming the coworkers into changing their actions without directly confronting them, as that could lead to accusations of sexual harassment.

When I was fat, I did not try to wear "muscle shirts" so my body size wasn't made an issue by me. If I were to have, I would've been inviting the criticism that came.

rph3664 · May 21, 2008

On the same topic, I used to work at a very well respected and "higher-end" department store and there was this younger female in the ladies clothing department that was probably 70 pounds overweight. She insisted on wearing TIGHT TIGHT clothing to work and wore far too much make-up. Managers had to speak to her on a daily basis and even forced her to go home and change a few times.
Oddly, she and I were both taking pre-nursing classes when I worked with her. She should have graduated from nursing school by now and I wonder from time to time what type of clothing she wears in the hospital.

There are a couple of young women in my department who roll down their waistbands and make their scrubs into low-riders. One of them in addition pulls hers down so they barely cover her......let's just say, I'm surprised her pubic hair isn't visible. She does wear a bodysuit. It just doesn't look comfortable, with the crotch of her pants 6 inches below her actual crotch, and I'm always tempted to "pants" her just to teach her a lesson, but that would probably cost me my job.

But this wasn't as bad as the tech who, before her husband walked out on her and their three young children :crying2: , would come to work with hickeys all over her neck. Those are disgusting enough on 15-year-olds, but this is a woman in her 30s. And on top of it, she usually looked like she was homeless (unwashed, uncombed hair) and sometimes smelled like it too. At least now she grooms herself before coming to work. I never knew of her being sent home to clean herself up but I'm sure it happened. I realize kids are a lot of work, but other people who have kids come to work looking neat and clean.

RN1982 · May 21, 2008

Less rude than people (of whatever build) who find it necessary to expose themselves in public. I am sorry if you interpreted my response as a slam on all heavy people as that was not my intention. I just believe the OP could benefit from shaming the coworkers into changing their actions without directly confronting them, as that could lead to accusations of sexual harassment.
When I was fat, I did not try to wear "muscle shirts" so my body size wasn't made an issue by me. If I were to have, I would've been inviting the criticism that came.

Shaming someone? Are you kidding me? That's awfully humiliating leaving weight loss material with someone's name attached for everyone to see. The appropriate thing for the OP would be to speak to the nurse manager who then should reiterate the dress code policy to everyone not shame or humilate their co-worker. Did it ever occur to you that perhaps people are happy the way they are? Not everyone has to be thin.

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 21, 2008

and how will shaming the person help apart from not being nice?