Solid Color Uniform Help

student4ever · Jul 8, 2005

I need some suggestions from everyone here. The job I have been at for the past year has no dress code. Free choice. Any print goes, any color goes, t-shirts and scruibs are cool. I love having teh freedom to show my individuality.
However, I am starting a new job on August 1st and the dresss code is navy blue and white. Scrubs must be all navy, all white, or a combination of the two. Shoes have no specifications.
How do people who work at places where there is a dress code show their individuality? I can buy some cool shoes to show off my personality, but is there anything else I can do??
Thanks,
Elizabeth, GN, LPN

Get a cool Ultrascope steth - they have tons of colors of tubing to choose from as well as unique customizable heads that have really great designs. They're kinda pricey, but I've heard that they're really great steths... I'm getting one when I find out if I have to have a specific one for nursing school or not. Their website is ultrascopes.com they have the most selection, but you can get them a little cheaper on eBay or at some scrub shops on the web. Also, you can get your scrub tops embroidered with a cool logo (such as a cute nurse stick figure or something like that) or your name and/or title, etc. Also, uniformadvantage.com has some scrubs that are kind of sporty - solid colors with a white double stripe going down the leg of the pants and the top of the arm on the scrub top - not sure if they have navy/white or not, but worth a try. Good luck - I hate solid color scrubs too - hospitals are drab enough - we should be able to brighten them up with cheery uniforms!

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 8, 2005

Very good source of information; thanks jnelle :)

nursejennie76 · Jul 8, 2005

I also have a navy/white dress code. I have an ultrascope, and I change my scope cover frequently. I also have soem of my scrubs with embroidery on them. Life uniform have a cute set of navy scrubs with white stripes down the legs and arms, they are really cute and my favorites. You can also wear pins on your shirt or jacket! I have found soem really cute tops at old navy in navy and white it is a nice change from the old v-neck scrub top. Good luck at least you dont have to wear a worse color everyday.

julieK · Jul 8, 2005

socks, jewelry, hair & makeup, tatoo (if you're so inclined), perfume, name tag holder. I would say nail polish, but it's probably a bad idea.

-Julie in NYC

MIA-RN1, RN · Jul 8, 2005

socks, jewelry, hair & makeup, tatoo (if you're so inclined), perfume, name tag holder. I would say nail polish, but it's probably a bad idea.
-Julie in NYC

I'd veto the jewelry and perfume as well as the nail polish.

How about crazy socks? Thats how I make it fun sometimes.

Or a pretty scunchie when you pull your hair back?

Katnip, RN · Jul 8, 2005

I'm a sock person myself. It seems there are lots of places with really fun prints in socks these days.

Perfume is too easy to overapply, and doesn't do well even understated with that nauseous, vomiting patient.

As often as our hands are being washed, nail polish chips and peels too easily. I do use toenail polish a lot though.

Jewelry is fine as long as it isn't dangling or getting caught on things.

The best way to show off your personality is through your attitude and demeanor. That will get it across better than any clothing or accessory can.

medicrnohio, RN · Jul 9, 2005

Socks and steth covers. We have the lovely navy/white combination too. I don't much care for it. The hospital I'm at only allows us to wear white on top, we can we a navy lab coat but not a navy scrub top. I always leave with something on my white shirt.

BamaBound2bRN · Jul 9, 2005

Hey, what about us guys? Scrunchies? :rotfl: perfume? I dont think so.............

Miss Ludie · Jul 9, 2005

Navy and white is better than a lot of codes I've lived with. What I did was do the Walmart, Sears etc. store thing. White shirts with a navy turtleneck dickie.Navy and white pinstripe shirt. Navy pants and cute socks. Different color shoelaces...maybe red white and blue?

I do like white shoes because you can wash them and at least know when they're dirty. Then there is the Navy T Shirt with a white vest and navy or white pants.

Do people still use the waist packs? Navy with white pants and maybe red with navy pants. Steth cover and bow or scrunchie to match. Maybe even a watch band that's distinctive.

As long as you are clean and neat, you can probably pretty much stretch the code and still stay acceptable to the bosses.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 9, 2005

Perfume is definitely a no-no in most hospital settings and should be in all. Many patients have allergies and with some medications they can be hypersensitive to any type of odor...............please, please save the perfume and cologne for off duty.

Also, check with the facility if you can use the stethescope cover........many no longer allow them for them as most nurses are not cleaning the covers daily and this could spread any type of germs. I personally would not allow a stethescope with a cover to be used on me................

You should be the one to shine underneath, and not worry how you are going to make yourself stand-out and be different. Sorry to be hard, but that is not what healthcare is all about.

mandrews · Jul 9, 2005

I have to wear navy and white. NO TATTOO'S - they have to be covered. the dress policy is strict here. no pins unless they are approved. i like to wear navy pants with a white top. some stitching on the top seems to be alright. ultrascopes are really cool. I like the pink with the breast cancer ribbon. they come in alot of really neat colors and designs.

melissa :Melody: