Should I Wear this to Work?

[lilgop]

Hey guys,

I need a little bit of advice. A friend of mine gave me a necklace that I dearly love. I wear it all the time outside of work. My hospital's policy is fine with necklaces being worn to work, so I can wear it at work, however I have not due to it's message. It's a #lovewins necklace. Even though I love it, I would never want to make a patient uncomfortable. But on the other hand, this is a huge cause I believe in. The other nurses wear crosses and such, and I would like to wear what I believe in. Still, I'm not someone who wants to get into problems over a necklace.

If you want to see it, it's very similar to this one, except mine also has a set of initials on it:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/238443539/hand-stamped-love-wins-heart-necklace?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=love%20wins%20necklace&ref=sr_gallery_15

Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks!

[Farawyn]

Just because you can do something doesn't mean that you should.

Should you toilet that patient, or should you delegate it off to the CNA?

Should you wear your jewelry to work, or should you leave it at home?

Should you announce to your workplace that you're a MFC star, or should you keep that a secret?

Aaaaaaaand, he's back.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

Aaaaaaaand, he's back.

And that's a good thing because I've had to do more than my fair share of crushing candy while he's been gone.

And to stay on topic, I leave all of my jewelry at home with the exception of a single pair of stud earrings. That way, nothing gets icky stuff on it, it can't be grabbed by patients or irate family members (although since my patients spend most of their time under general anesthesia, it's not that big of a concern), and I'm following my department's dress code.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I wouldn't wear something that bulky to work. You will get it dirty or have a combative/confused patient grab it. No no no.

[Littleguccipiggy]

I've never had a problem wearing a necklace at work. If anything people tend to grab at my giant badge to see my name. I have the HRC's blue equality pin on my badge buddy and nobody cares about it. I originally wore it because when I lived in the middle-of-nowhere Texas, if I ever had an LGBT patient I wanted to subtly let them know I cared about their needs since my city wasn't the most LGBT friendly. I also liked wearing it because it reminded me of my hometown. Usually patients are too concerned about themselves and teir health problems to notice your jewelry.

[Brenda S]

If your employer allows it and you want to wear it... By all means do so. I have worn a necklace in all 40 yrs of my nursing. Not one problem the entire time. My necklaces are sentimental and very near and dear to my heart! I am more concerned about the overpowering perfumes and colognes that are offensive to the patients and coworkers that linger the entire shift!! I do however wear a little perfume for my own "smell" and it just boosts my spirits prior to an exhausting shift! Enjoy your necklace but I always have a chain long enough to tuck it inside my uniform:):)

[canigraduate]

My advice is to keep the chain short. I have never had anyone grab at my necklace, but it's nearly a choker. They couldn't get a hold of it without trying really hard.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I would wear it--as long as it doesn't get tangled in the many other things that are around your neck. And that it won't hang down practically onto the patient if you are leaning over the patient.

There are some patients who can and will grab at anything shiny. So just be mindful that it could get damaged.

On a personal note, love the necklace, what an awesome gift!!

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

I'd wear it. I doubt that your employer would have a problem with it. The only problem that I'd imagine is with grabby hands.

Personally, I wear a boulder opal necklace. Yes, it's cool... but I wouldn't cry if I lost it. I've never came close. Small stud earrings and pins are what I tend to lose. We put on and take off contact gowns so often that it can tear away the backings from earrings upon removal. I've had some just drop in the trash with the contact gowns. Good luck finding that. I bought some bullet closures from Walmart that helps remedy that situation, Just in case I lose a backing. I keep them in my nurse-purse. I also have problems losing the backing from one of my pins that I keep on my badge.. My versant pin, which I very much do NOT want to lose. I've lost and found it several times on the unit though. The same earring backings seem to help with that. Lucky for my, my most important pin... my grad pin that my mom (a nurse) pinned me with upon graduation is sturdy and has a good backing that refuses to budge. I'm proud of it and I wear it with my badge.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Wear it...I wear a small pair of earrings and necklace every day to work for thirty-four years as a bedside nurse. Maybe I am lucky but I have never had any problems at all! I feel strange without them!

[NurseSpeedy, ADN, LPN, RN]

Asides from my wedding band, I don't wear any jewelry to work because I do direct patient care.

First, I want to have the least chance possible of bringing something yucky back home to my family. I walk in the door, uniform is in the wash, I am in the shower (wedding band included) and I don't touch anyone or anything until I'm clean.

Second, jewelry can easily brake, and anything around your neck can easily get accidentally (or intentionally by a confused patient) torn off/lost/damaged. If the item has any value to you, I'd wear it in a different setting...off topic but I would never wear pierced earring to worn...my aunt had hers completely torn through went a child grabbed then when she was playing "horsey" with a piggy back ride...OUCH!

As for being offensive, I didn't see anything wrong with the necklace shown on the link.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

If you feel that strongly about the message and it's within the companies guidelines, then go ahead. But be prepared to have a potentially unpleasant conversation with close-minded people regarding the message.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

It's cute and it looks like one of the T&Co. necklaces. You will get compliments and questions about where you bought it. Your LGBT patients are going to respect you even more. Be proud to be who you are. If you do get any inappropriate questions, and I doubt that you will, just say "let's talk about you...how is your pain?"