Should nurses return to wearing uniforms?

I posted a few months ago, but have had a few thoughts since then. I am an RN, BSN with 9 years experience. I currently work in the ER (or at least I will again once this baby decides to come out).

I that part of the uniform and recognizability factor in nursing stems from many major changes in our profession in the past several decades - more men, expanding roles, people entering the profession later in life, among others. The solution is not to go back to all white and caps, but rather design a uniform that fits with nursing's new roles and image. It should be unisex and functional like uniforms worn by paramedics or police officers. Perhapse a white button-down collared shirt made of scrub material with RN insignia patch, pocket for pens, etc., place for name tag and ID badge. And dark colored pants (or skirts, for those who desire) with utility pockets and places to put pagers, PDA's, and various "pocket clutter" we need easily accesible to do our job. Just a few ideas for the nursing uniform of the future. Leave plain scrubs for unlicensed personell.

I posted a few months ago, but have had a few thoughts since then. I am an RN, BSN with 9 years experience. I currently work in the ER (or at least I will again once this baby decides to come out).

I that part of the uniform and recognizability factor in nursing stems from many major changes in our profession in the past several decades - more men, expanding roles, people entering the profession later in life, among others. The solution is not to go back to all white and caps, but rather design a uniform that fits with nursing's new roles and image. It should be unisex and functional like uniforms worn by paramedics or police officers. Perhapse a white button-down collared shirt made of scrub material with RN insignia patch, pocket for pens, etc., place for name tag and ID badge. And dark colored pants (or skirts, for those who desire) with utility pockets and places to put pagers, PDA's, and various "pocket clutter" we need easily accesible to do our job. Just a few ideas for the nursing uniform of the future. Leave plain scrubs for unlicensed personell.

I never thought about the look you mentioned for the standard uniform. But it just might work. Many people still look up to the police and the firefighters and the way they have kept thier identity and professional look.. I would be willing to work with that.

If we put our heads together, we can come up with something that we desperatly need...............

This is going to sound really goofy when I say this, but, I declined a position in an area that I really wanted b/c of the uniforms that the nurses had to wear. The RNs had to wear maroon tops and bottoms with no deviation from this what so ever. I just couldn't hang with that one.

I think that the name tag and personal introductions is the way to go with distinguishing people in the hospital setting. It is probably the artist in me and wanting to be able to express myself and my personality in all aspects of my life. It also for me is a "control" issue. I don't want someone controlling what I wear. I have enough of that at home!

Just my

I posted a few months ago, but have had a few thoughts since then. I am an RN, BSN with 9 years experience. I currently work in the ER (or at least I will again once this baby decides to come out).

I that part of the uniform and recognizability factor in nursing stems from many major changes in our profession in the past several decades - more men, expanding roles, people entering the profession later in life, among others. The solution is not to go back to all white and caps, but rather design a uniform that fits with nursing's new roles and image. It should be unisex and functional like uniforms worn by paramedics or police officers. Perhapse a white button-down collared shirt made of scrub material with RN insignia patch, pocket for pens, etc., place for name tag and ID badge. And dark colored pants (or skirts, for those who desire) with utility pockets and places to put pagers, PDA's, and various "pocket clutter" we need easily accesible to do our job. Just a few ideas for the nursing uniform of the future. Leave plain scrubs for unlicensed personell.

Interesting post......don't know if I agree though.....have you thought about this, how would you discriminate between LPN's and RN's would you have them wearing different uniforms from each other? Have you thought about differing work area such as PICU, pediacrics....would all uniforms be the same as sometimes a scrub uniform with appealling graffics can start the rapport needed with children and act as a conversation peice with the kids.

Just some thoughts.

I have to agree that scrubs ARE our uniform. I worked where the CNAs, LPNs, RNs and all the other staff had their own assigned color scrubs. Unfortunately, not everyone liked his/her assigned color. Most of the LPNs told me they hated their assigned Caribbean Blue. Others just wanted to wear prints or something more colorful for a change.

I really have difficulty seeing the other options for uniforms. I'd prefer to stay away from BDUs (I don't want to be mistaken for the ambulance crew or soldiers). Wearing khakis and a polo shirt would be too much like dress clothes. I think scrubs are both professional and practical for everything we do.

I posted a few months ago, but have had a few thoughts since then. I am an RN, BSN with 9 years experience. I currently work in the ER (or at least I will again once this baby decides to come out).

I that part of the uniform and recognizability factor in nursing stems from many major changes in our profession in the past several decades - more men, expanding roles, people entering the profession later in life, among others. The solution is not to go back to all white and caps, but rather design a uniform that fits with nursing's new roles and image. It should be unisex and functional like uniforms worn by paramedics or police officers. Perhapse a white button-down collared shirt made of scrub material with RN insignia patch, pocket for pens, etc., place for name tag and ID badge. And dark colored pants (or skirts, for those who desire) with utility pockets and places to put pagers, PDA's, and various "pocket clutter" we need easily accesible to do our job. Just a few ideas for the nursing uniform of the future. Leave plain scrubs for unlicensed personell.

I like the idea of a large patch that says "RN". Great idea! Or even a seperate badge that says "RN" in large letters, not just under the person's name.

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?

Thanks so much for your help!!!

--Heather

***edited to add a bit of clarity on 10/08/04

1. 5 years

2. Psych/Behavioral Health

3. Southern Mississippi

4. BSN

5. I think in a medical hospital it helps pts to identify their health care

provider and allows staff to recognize each other. So yes, nurses should

wear some type of identical clothing...at our main campus there are

certain colors for certain depts. They can mix/match their scrubs as

long 1 piece is that color and visible at all times.

6. At our facility we wear what we want but I personally prefer scrubs. It

allows room for those quick sprints. The only requirement is that our

NAME BADGE be very visible for patients.

1. 30 years

2. MA Instructor at present

3. Middle Georgia

4. LPN

5. Well, I have been a nurse for a long time and I guess I'm just old fashioned. I love the white uniforms for nurses with name badges/pins/patches to distinquish CNA/LPN/RN although the caps can be hazardous. It seems like everyone wears scrubs nowadays and you can't tell the nursing staff from housekeeping or a daycare worker. Besides, I didn't start gaining weight until I started wearing those comfy scrubs. hehehehe JMHO

6. I'm open to new ideas on an appropriate "uniform" other than scrubs but unfortunately have no new suggestions.

I am not a nurse yet, but I am a nursing student. We had a discussion last semester about nursing as a profession. I think it would be great it we had our own uniform to distinguish us from everyone else. Also, I don't know if anyone mentioned this or not, but from what we were told in our lecture last semester, the thing patients look for most to identify a nurse is their stethescope. Just thought that was an interesting fact.

--Stacey

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?

1 17 years

2 night duty nursing supervisor

3 in the middle of nowhere.......well thats wat it feels like. (rural/outback) australia

4 BSN

5 down here scubs arnt the norm, maybe in the city they are but not out in the country. in the country its gone all corporate wear. i like the traditional white shirt, navy blue shorts. its against our dress code but i wear it all year round. being the only male nurse in the hospital besides the campus manager i suppose thats why i get away with it

1. How long have you been a nurse? 10 years

2. In what field of nursing are you working (i.e. long term care, acute care, rehab, etc.)? ER

3. Where geographically are you located? MI

4. What is your level of training? (i.e., ADN, LPN, CNA, BSN, masters or higher education level, CNP, CRNA, etc.) ADN

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*** I'm not against a uniform but certainly not white. Maybe just a cap??

6. If you think nurses should return to a uniform, what type of uniform do you think nurses should wear? Personally I love scrubs. They're comfortable, clean well, are easy to buy and the male and female nurses look alike.

1) 28 yrs.

2) Critical Care

3) Texas

4) BSN

5) Scrubs are uniforms.

In 1978 I did a research thesis on nusing caps. My hypothesis was "Nursing caps are a vector to carrying pathogenic organisms".

My hypothesis was proven and accepted.

Myself and my research partner cultured the caps and grew multiple pathogens on our petri dishes.

Easily transmissible to patients at the bedside.

Follow up was eliminating the wearing of nursing caps.

All the literature is in the National Archives in Washington D.C. Well buried by now I would imagine.