Should I give up scrubs?

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

I love wearing scrubs because I look like a nurse, they're comfortable, I can wear tennis shoes (I have feet and back issues so dress shoes kill me), and I don't worry about getting anything on them. Plus the pockets are great for all my keys, phone, etc so if I have to run to another area of the building I'm not holding everything. However, I had a kg student who got hurt freak out because he thought I might give him a shot when I was trying to check him out. I've had a few other leary kids worried as well but they didn't flip out like the one did. Plus I've had several teachers ask about my scrubs because I guess the nurse before me did not wear them. Some joke about wearing my pajamas (I don't know abt you but I've never worn mine as pajamas), that it must be nice to wear them (it is but they say it sarcastically), why I'm wearing them in a school, etc. I had another district nurse say now that the cooks and sometimes janitors wear them we don't look as professional as we used to in them. I don't want the kids who must come to me daily for meds and treatments feel like they are sick or there's something wrong with them (had that come up from someone as well-does the uniform make them feel like that??) What are your thoughts?

[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

What kind of scrubs are you wearing? There's so many well tailored options that look nothing like pajamas. Plus you could pop a lab coat on over, but that would intimidate kids more.

Some of these comments sound like people are jealous. Sounds also like whoever worked before you set a high bar in terms of how they dressed.

I would just ask your direct supervisor what the expectation is.

If it's up to you, then wear what you want. It sounds like it's going to be an issue to wear scrubs though.

[Farawyn]

I wear my scrubs to school. They are washable, convenient, comfortable and peg me as The Nurse. I wear solid colors, usually Grey's Anatomy, so they are not too loose. I get the snide comments about jammies to school as well. I usually handle THAT issue with my dead stare, a look slowly up and down at what said teacher is wearing, and 1 word: "Jealous?"

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

I do not wear sloppy looking or baggy scrubs. I wear nice ones that fit well and look professional. Several are name brand so I know it's not because they look bad and I know the nurse before me wore very casual clothes with screaming loud tennis shoes as someone told me so I don't think she set the bar high at all. I think it's probably more jealousy than anything. My direct supervisor said we can wear scrubs or dress clothes as long as we look professional. I'm just tired of all the comments. It's not like I go around asking the teachers why they wore what they have on that day so I don't understand why they feel the need to comment on what I'm wearing. I'm just going to ignore them from now on or do like Farawyn and ask if they're jealous. I just wondered if anyone else came across this?

[A&Ox6, MSN, RN]

I wish I could wear scrubs. My school doesn't allow me to wear scrubs, a lab coat, or even s sweater that says nurse.

They claim that it would make me unapproachable because it would make me look different than the teacher. I would love to be easily identified.

[Farawyn]

I wish I could wear scrubs. My school doesn't allow me to wear scrubs, a lab coat, or even s sweater that says nurse.

They claim that it would make me unapproachable because it would make me look different than the teacher. I would love to be easily identified.

You are different than the teacher!

(How's "Apeak"?)

[Farawyn]

I do not wear sloppy looking or baggy scrubs. I wear nice ones that fit well and look professional. Several are name brand so I know it's not because they look bad and I know the nurse before me wore very casual clothes with screaming loud tennis shoes as someone told me so I don't think she set the bar high at all. I think it's probably more jealousy than anything. My direct supervisor said we can wear scrubs or dress clothes as long as we look professional. I'm just tired of all the comments. It's not like I go around asking the teachers why they wore what they have on that day so I don't understand why they feel the need to comment on what I'm wearing. I'm just going to ignore them from now on or do like Farawyn and ask if they're jealous. I just wondered if anyone else came across this?

I work in a high school. A lot of the teachers act like they are IN high school.

I chalk it up to that.

They get paid more than me, at the very least I can wear my scrubs!

[Golfer87]

Does the school stock business suits from Nordstrom in case someone from the police or fire department have to show up?

[Oedgar]

I would want to wear scrubs for all the reasons you have stated. I don't understand why you shouldn't wear scrubs. As for the kiddos that freak out.. I am sure you have good ways of coping with kid freak outs.

[SnowyJ, RN]

Dress clothes would be crazy...It has to be washable.

I sometimes wear scrubs, but often just casual clothes. On days I know I have 504 meetings, etc. I may put on a white scrub jacket for the occasion, just to help designate who I am. I LOVE that I can dress for comfort.

But our dress code is very relaxed. Some teachers wear jeans, shorts, etc. Others dress up a bit more.

Key is that our clothes are washable, and we all know why!

[ohiobobcat]

When the weather cools off a bit, I will wear scrubs every day. Right now, I am wearing capris and a short sleeve shirt because it's humid and rainy and warm out. Our dress code is pretty lax here too, teachers wear jeans and t-shirts sometimes.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

I wear scrubs. As mentioned about, it makes me easily identifiable.

I've had teachers tell me they are jealous of my attire. I shrug. I've gotten gross stuff on me and when the janitor leaves for the day, have been expected to clean up gross stuff. scrubs are easily replaceable, I can bend down in them easily without ever being inappropriate (which I could say the same about some of the clothes teachers wear), and when it is Halloween I can break out my top covered in pumpkins :).