Scrubs to tight? How do you tell someone?

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · May 21, 2008

If someone dared to leave me weight loss advice, oh man...I will not going into my personal and professional implemenations on letting them know that was less than compassionate or HUMAN! And believe me, they would be feeling WORSE then they left me feeling...and that would be very very sad!

As I said, it is NOT anyones place to make the choice on dress code except for administration! If you choose to make a statement...think of how you would broach the situtation to a patient or even an MD! (I would prefer the MD one!). Casual helpful non-judgemental acknowledgement is good "see some skin here hon" or if it bothers you so very much and you choose in your busy day to take on that challenge...tell the charge nurse (and hope the grapevine was either not there or cut!).

I do not judge, I do not rate someone on how they are dressed...that is my JOB as a nurse! I care, and am compassionate, and helpful as I deem fit for not only social dynamics and ramifications...but thoughtful of the choices I make in those challenges!!!!!! (some challenges are not worth my efforts at the time, or ever!).

And I agree...you can leave yourself open for all sorts of harrassment charges!!!!!!!

Perpetual Student · May 21, 2008

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

Perhaps others are different, but when I realized I was overweight and folks pointed it out to me it helped me to decide to lose weight. Hopefully this coworker would be given the encouragement that she needs to change her lifestyle, or at least stop wearing revealing and unprofessional clothes.

If the OP were a woman, I would've advised him to speak directly to Ms. Tight Pants and inform her that she was exposing herself and that the residents were talking about it. With him being a man, however, that could open up a can of worms that would be better left unopened.

Some of the nurses that I work with are severely overweight. I would never insult them nor do anything like I advocated above because they haven't done anything to deserve it. I am not recommending that the OP take those measures because the perpetrator is overweight; the offense requiring corrective action is her insistence on wearing excessively tight clothing, which is disgusting whether she's a size 2 or a size 20.

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 21, 2008

Perhaps others are different, but when I realized I was overweight and folks pointed it out to me it helped me to decide to lose weight. Hopefully this coworker would be given the encouragement that she needs to change her lifestyle, or at least stop wearing revealing and unprofessional clothes.
If the OP were a woman, I would've advised him to speak directly to Ms. Tight Pants and inform her that she was exposing herself and that the residents were talking about it. With him being a man, however, that could open up a can of worms that would be better left unopened.
Some of the nurses that I work with are severely overweight. I would never insult them nor do anything like I advocated above because they haven't done anything to deserve it. I am not recommending that the OP take those measures because the perpetrator is overweight; the offense requiring corrective action is her insistence on wearing excessively tight clothing, which is disgusting whether she's a size 2 or a size 20.

Many will be upset when pointing out especially in an underhanded way about weight. I have been overweight since I was 10 and even with people telling me in a way I didn't take offence I could not loose the weight and keep it off. People cope in different ways and doing something underhand and making fun like you mentioned can be hurtful and non beneficial. Sometimes it helps to approach the person in a friendly manner and a non condescending manner and discuss things with them, there may be a situation you are not aware of and they can not afford new scrubs at present, who knows .

Just my :twocents:

vashtee, RN · May 21, 2008

I don't see how the weight is the issue. The problem is that this coworker is hanging out.

Perpetual_student - you should learn to quit while you are ahead. You are just digging yourself a deeper hole.

RN1982 · May 21, 2008

I don't see how the weight is the issue. The problem is that this coworker is hanging out.
Perpetual_student - you should learn to quit while you are ahead. You are just digging yourself a deeper hole.

Amen to that.

hotmama2be · May 21, 2008

Just simply go to manangement make them aware of the issue and they can take it from there. Dress codes are a touchy subject at every place of work , in my opinion dress codes should and need to be enforced especially in nursing because of the fact you are dealing with the public. It is very easy to remedy and since the OP is a gentleman he should handle it as descreetly as possible so it does not offend anybody .

shelly304 · May 21, 2008

I work in a very small private hospital. When I first was hired I was appalled at the dress code for our nursing administration office. VERY low cut blouses, see through w/ camisoles, LOW cut pants w/ the thong showing...well you get the image. And yes this is the image our administrator wants. Tight scrub pants are the norm. And I can't begin to count how many nurses have had their boobs done by a local plastics guy because a discount is offered to hospital employees! When I first started a nurse joked with me that I "fit" right in because I am quite busty. Makes me wonder if I was hired based on merit alone. A few patients will occasionally make a comment about the amount of skin showing, and I am quick to give them a comment survey to fill out.

But I doubt they go anywhere but the trash! I wish I could complain to someone but when your HR manager is dressed like a Media star it seems kind of pointless:banghead:

RN1973 · May 21, 2008

I think people that wear too-tight scrubs are probably fully aware of it.
There is that sector of people, that if they wear a "medium", they are going to wear a medium...and no matter how much weight they gain, they are still going to squeeze in a medium.

Thanks! I needed that laugh :chuckle

I once had an ER nurse transport a patient to my unit. When he bent over slightly to hook the oxygen tubing, I got a nice shot of blue underwear. His pants were literally below his buttocks. Come on, how can that be comfortable...how can one not know.

student456 · May 21, 2008

LOL I am guilty of this! But not intentionally...once I was in clinical and my preceptor told me everytime I bent down my scrub pants would go too low. I keep having to having to pull my scrub pants up for some reason they never fit me right! i was so embarassed but I was happy that she told me

vashtee, RN · May 22, 2008

I don't know how anyone can have this problem. My scrub pants reach almost up to the bottom of my breasts, and I am long-waisted.

lpnstudentin2010, LPN · May 22, 2008

Many will be upset when pointing out especially in an underhanded way about weight. I have been overweight since I was 10 and even with people telling me in a way I didn't take offence I could not loose the weight and keep it off. People cope in different ways and doing something underhand and making fun like you mentioned can be hurtful and non beneficial. Sometimes it helps to approach the person in a friendly manner and a non condescending manner and discuss things with them, there may be a situation you are not aware of and they can not afford new scrubs at present, who knows .
Just my

There has only been ONE person who has been able to tell me I need to loose weight without offending me. It was my surgeons nurse who I have known since I was 4 and she told be a few months ago (at the age of 20). My mom can not even say it with out it making me mad.

tanthalas · May 22, 2008

I'm a dude.

The ward I work on has a bunch of young nurses (early 20s-late 20s). Yeah, the majority of them are good-looking, nice girls. I'm not a pig, I respect women, and try not to stare but when girls walk into the nursing station with white shirts as tight as skin with necklines that go almost as low as their belly buttons and black lace push-up bras it's a little difficult to look away.

I understand the OP for sure; it's a touchy subject and ultimately us dudes unfortunately get some heat for voicing it. I wish the OP nothing but good luck.