I am taking part in a research project in my post-bacc nursing program which is looking at the history of nursing uniforms, as well as asking the question, "Should nurses return to wearing uniforms?" We are surveying nurses at a local hospital to get an idea of our area nurses' opinions; but would also like to get a wider variety of responses.
So, if you'd like to be part of this discussion, please answer the following:
1. How long have you been a nurse?
2. In what field of nursing are you working (I.e. long term care, acute care, rehab, etc.)?
3. Where geographically are you located?
4. What is your level of training? (I.e., ADN, LPN, CNA, BSN, masters or higher education level, CNP, CRNA, etc.)
5. Do you think nurses should return to wearing a uniform? Why or why not?
***to clarify-- By "uniform", I mean a move away from scrubs, to a uniform style that would be recognized across regions as belonging to "nursing". This could include the "all-white" uniform, or nursing caps. Whatever it would be, the standard would be set by the nursing profession, for all professionals to follow***
6. If you think nurses should return to a uniform, what type of uniform do you think nurses should wear?
Specializes in Med-surg, NICU, Telemetry/Step Down.
1. 7 years
2. Step Down/Telemetry
3. Ohio
4. ADN
5. I don't think that nurses should return to the starchy white dress and caps. I like wearing whatever color scrubs that I want to. It gives everyone there own personality. I don't like to wear white(gets too dingy too fast and hard to remove stains). But I do normally stick to plain colors and not the loud, busy scrubs.
6. My hospital was toying with the idea of being able to wear whatever color we wanted to but it could not have a pattern on it, it just had to be plain colors. I would be ok with that even if they chose a specific color for us. But not all white.
I've been a nurse for almost 4 years in the ICU, and I think the uniform question is old. Also being a male, I don't look forward to working in a dress (although the idea of a kilt is attractive). No hats please, they'd probably fall into a patients BM when you're turning them. Look at physicians, do they have a specific "uniform"? No, they don't feel they have to. I've seen physicians doing rounds in sandals and shorts. Not that I want to wear these, but making nurses wear uniforms is just another way to keep nurses in line and conform to an idea that we all need to be alike. Scrubs are fine, even scrubs for specific units (although for what purpose I don't know). I love the fact that I go work in pajamas.
Specializes in hospital/physicians office/long term car.
1. How long have you been a nurse?
18 years
2. In what field of nursing are you working (i.e. long term care, acute care, rehab, etc.)?
long term care
3. Where geographically are you located?
Illinois
4. What is your level of training? (i.e., ADN, LPN, CNA, BSN, masters or higher education level, CNP, CRNA, etc.)
LPN
5. Do you think nurses should return to wearing a uniform? Why or why not?
I personally feel the all white uniform is to cold and sterile and doesn't make the patient feel more comfortable. I work a cap when I was in nursing school but have not wore one since and would not like to go back to that!
nurses should wear uniform but not those florence nightale hat please i am wearing uniforn at my job but no hat some people at my job still wear those hat people still wear those hat in my country i love to see others wear the hat. good luck on the project
I have been a nurse since 2000. I currently work in long term care, but have worked other places. I live in North Carolina. I am a LPN pursuing my RN. I wish nursing could return to all white uniforms. I think this sets nurses apart from housekeeping, or dietary. I feel like I worked really hard to become a nurse and a white uniform would allow me to be recognized as a person that deserves at least a little respect.
Years ago when I started out as a CNA, we switched from all white to white pants and pastel tops. Only the nurses could wear all white. For several years as a new RN, I wore my whites proudly. As we began to wear colored scrubs, my whites took longer getting back from the wash. (Turns out my wife didn't care for me looking like the ice cream man.)
Now, we have many more options. I can always wear white IF I choose. The fact of the matter is I am happy wearing my colored scrubs. Identification of the staff isn't such a big deal in Long Term Care. Our residents know who we are..
Karen's Hart
3 Posts
1. 7 years
2. Step Down/Telemetry
3. Ohio
4. ADN
5. I don't think that nurses should return to the starchy white dress and caps. I like wearing whatever color scrubs that I want to. It gives everyone there own personality. I don't like to wear white(gets too dingy too fast and hard to remove stains). But I do normally stick to plain colors and not the loud, busy scrubs.
6. My hospital was toying with the idea of being able to wear whatever color we wanted to but it could not have a pattern on it, it just had to be plain colors. I would be ok with that even if they chose a specific color for us. But not all white.
Check out cute scrubs and nursing info at www.nursinghearts.com.