Socializing after work in your scrubs

[klone]

Yuck! Who does this? So my husband and I are on a long weekend in Taos, NM. Friday night we were at a local bar listening to a band. In walk a group of women in their mid-twenties. They appeared to have just gotten off work, as they were all wearing scrubs. They hung out at the bar for several hours, drinking, shooting pool, dancing, flirting with men. Wearing their scrubs. Yuck! Of course, after having a couple beers, myself, I was tempted to approach them and ask if they knew how gross and unhygienic that was, but I'm not a big person, and these women were all somewhat large and could have broken me like kindling, and luckily I hadn't had so much to drink that I was that foolish (my husband, of course, bet me $5 to say something to them).

All I could think of all night was fomites!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I have clothes at work. And while I don't actively put my scrubs in poo and urine, it happens. Don't sit there and tell me it never happens, because we all know it does. Often, you may not even notice, so why take a chance? I also designate one pair of shoes just for the hospital. I don't wear them out. Whatever...to each his own. It doesn't matter in the least whether you agree with me or not.

[GradyGramNot]

We had bars that opened at 0630 AM and a bunch of us would stop and have a beer, especially after a long night in the ER. I have played in pool tournaments at 0900 when I didn't have to go back to work that night. Our scrubs were good enough for the patients, and trust me, looking sexy wasn't on our minds. Just some down time. When I worked 3-11 back in the day, we would stop in after work too. During the week was the best time. Not crowded, no weekend warriors, no meat market atmosphere, just friends that felt at home, and welcome. And there is nothing like shooting those balls on the table to relieve tension. I miss those good times, lol.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

Well you'll have to change your address.

I was already giggling at the recent additions to this thread, but with this I snorted my Monster Energy drink up my nose (FYI, don't do that. Hurts like hell).

[wannabe2008]

It all depends... How do they look in their scrubs?

[adangel99]

How many of you have seen your isolation patients ( positive MRSA or other MDRO screen) out in the community, knowing they screened positive yet did not receive treatment for that screen? I can, have, and will go to the grocery store after work. If I get doodied on while at work, I definitely would have changed when it happened. And how about the families who refuse to follow isolation protocol?

[kool-aide, RN]

some of the nurses and aides(myself included) go to our local 24 hour diner for breakfast in the am after we get off of work....I don't see any reason not to wear my scrubs... But I wouldn't necessarily go clubbin, either... lol

[sharpeimom]

it all depends... how do they look in their scrubs?

whose depends??!!

[GradyGramNot]

I am a crusty old bat, too...can I join your society?

[wanderlust99]

When I was a new nurse after night shift we'd all go to this breakfast place that served alcohol AND let you smoke inside. This was 7 years ago, now it's nonsmoking. I loved that place. Sometimes I go out and grab dinner or drinks after work (I'm on days now), in my scrubs...but I never fully enjoy myself. It's the combination of being in scrubs and not feeling pretty and just working 13 hours. I've never had the energy to really do anything after work to be honest. I just want to go home, be alone, eat on my couch and sleep:)

[GradyGramNot]

Yeah, but back in the day, we worked 8 hour shifts, and still had a life after work, lol. Socializing then brought us all closer, and we were a really tight knit team. Then our team collectively became the weekend night shift, Sat and Sun, 7p to7a, and 'our place' sure looked forward to seeing us on Monday mornings around 0730. And it was just 20 years ago, that we smoked at the nurse's station. Kept our own ashtrays in a drawer. My how time changes things.

[DroogieRN]

Several times I've gone for dinner and drinks after a day shift, or breakfast after a night shift. I remove my badge and don't think another thing of it. I wouldn't go if I've had isolation patients all day or was visibly soiled, but I get hungry and thirsty too... No different from anyone else stopping to set after work. I don't get plastered and dance on any tables, so I don't see the problem. If anything, I think a group of nurses seems to get seated faster. I can use a perk or two!

[DroogieRN]

Gotta say, I think productivity (and moods) would improve if nurses had designated smoking areas! No flames, please. Twenty years ago, my grandpa was dying and my dad was a fixture on the floor where he was a patient. The nurses all loved him and he would smoke with them in their smoking lounge, make coffee, etc. My dad was a great guy and the nurses saw that -- plus they made a terrible time for him so much more bearable with their sociability (just a li'l side story there...).