Student RN Scrubs

[Brenwick2]

I think that we can all agree that we are getting a different generation of students.  This brings many other struggles.  The clothing stores are full of crop tops and shredded pants.  The students are more willing to show more skin.  That is the style.

Currently, our student nurses wear a white top and navy bottom scrub.  The RNs on the floor wear Navy tops and bottoms.  Although it is the expectation that the students wear an undershirt and that they DO NOT wear a black or lacey bra, they are.  Then they are missing clinical because they are sent home.  The problem is that this comes back on the instructors to make up the clinical hour time (we must be present on clinical) when we are already short on time.

I see trying to teach a student professionalism, discipline and respect.  However, I am realistic in the fact that some of these students quite literally do not see anything wrong with wearing only a white top and allowing their bra to see through.  This is how they have been dressing for the past 5ish years.  

I am looking for suggestions on other scrub colors.  To save us the argument.  We have many low-income students,  fresh from high school, single parents and second students.  We are a diploma program.  It would have to be a color that the students could find at a local Walmart.

Thank you for your input!

[offlabel]

Black? Would pretty much conceal any color.  But I can't let this go. It's obvious you're trying to do the right thing and do right by your students, and you surely will. You are making real time, on the ground decisions with what you have resources for.

That said, I do regret the cultural notion that low income/minority (whatever that is) groups can't be held to the same professional standards as the 'rest' of us. It's kind of patronizing and has a note of condescension built in and if there is such a thing as 'institutional racism', that is part of it. IMHO letting these kids know they matter by holding them to a higher professional standard is as important as teaching them how to do a proper physical exam. Just part of the  package. No criticism here...just musing out loud...

[Tegridy]

On 12/23/2022 at 1:49 PM, Brenwick2 said:

Hello!

I think that we can all agree that we are getting a different generation of students.  This brings many other struggles.  The clothing stores are full of crop tops and shredded pants.  The students are more willing to show more skin.  That is the style.

Currently, our student nurses wear a white top and navy bottom scrub.  The RNs on the floor wear Navy tops and bottoms.  Although it is the expectation that the students wear an undershirt and that they DO NOT wear a black or lacey bra, they are.  Then they are missing clinical because they are sent home.  The problem is that this comes back on the instructors to make up the clinical hour time (we must be present on clinical) when we are already short on time.

I see trying to teach a student professionalism, discipline and respect.  However, I am realistic in the fact that some of these students quite literally do not see anything wrong with wearing only a white top and allowing their bra to see through.  This is how they have been dressing for the past 5ish years.  

I am looking for suggestions on other scrub colors.  To save us the argument.  We have many low-income students,  fresh from high school, single parents and second students.  We are a diploma program.  It would have to be a color that the students could find at a local Walmart.

Thank you for your input!

I remember we had to wear white tops bottoms and shoes. Nontheless I am a guy so it wasn’t as much of a problem. Changing colors as you mention is the most reasonable option as white is a terrible “color” to make students wear and having to buy all new clothes just to remain PC in clinical is honestly a waste of their time and money. Light blue would likely be a reasonable color, with the school logo if it is of utmost importance to keep them looking different from other staff members.

[londonflo]

On 12/23/2022 at 12:49 PM, Brenwick2 said:

Then they are missing clinical because they are sent home.  The problem is that this comes back on the instructors to make up the clinical hour time (we must be present on clinical) when we are already short on time.

Yes, I worked for two hospital schools of nursing and one college that mandated we make up time with students who called in sick or had to leave clinical for any reason. My first SON had students pay $10.00 for each make up day (students complained it was going into the faculty's pocket (like right...). This was just to deter more sick days. I spent every Spring break doing 'make up clinical'. 

I finally went to a school that did not tolerate more than 10% of clinical absence  time...or 'YOU ARE OUT". Amazing how they all showed up. Talk to your fellow faculty (of course some will say they never require 'make up clinical',,,because the students meet the clinical objectives even missing clinical (?)}

[FiremedicMike, RN, EMT-P]

We're in a time where colors mean something in the hospital, and white is universally recognized as being a student. 

Sorry but I'm in the "it's time for them to grow up" camp.  Make the appearance standards clear up front, and be crystal clear with it "I'm telling you now, if you show up without a tee shirt or I can see your underwear through your scrubs, you WILL be sent home and it WILL NOT be an excused absence".

Zero tolerance, they'll learn quick.  

[Tegridy]

On 12/26/2022 at 3:54 PM, FiremedicMike said:

We're in a time where colors mean something in the hospital, and white is universally recognized as being a student. 

Sorry but I'm in the "it's time for them to grow up" camp.  Make the appearance standards clear up front, and be crystal clear with it "I'm telling you now, if you show up without a tee shirt or I can see your underwear through your scrubs, you WILL be sent home and it WILL NOT be an excused absence".

Zero tolerance, they'll learn quick.  

White is the dumbest color ever to make someone wear. While professionalism is important, instructor should focus on quality instruction instead of policing standards while making students wear the worst color possible. Students pay money for education not for another set of parents. 

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

6 hours ago, Tegridy said:

White is the dumbest color ever to make someone wear. While professionalism is important, instructor should focus on quality instruction instead of policing standards while making students wear the worst color possible. Students pay money for education not for another set of parents. 

While that's a good thought, sometimes it's the hosting facilities policies, as each color means a different department. That way if a patient complains about the nurse in the x color scrubs, they know which department or student group to seek. The instructor has to police, as if there is an issue, the school could lose it's placement at that facility. Believe me, thats strong incentive to police, clinical placements are hard to find nowadays.

But with bodily fluids ever present,  I can't believe a school has white scrubs...

[FiremedicMike, RN, EMT-P]

8 hours ago, Tegridy said:

White is the dumbest color ever to make someone wear. While professionalism is important, instructor should focus on quality instruction instead of policing standards while making students wear the worst color possible. Students pay money for education not for another set of parents. 

They’re showing up to clinical dressed inappropriately and being sent home.  I agree they shouldn’t need parents, but obviously they do.

[floydnightingale]

If they know that black bras or no undershirt under a white top is inappropriate, it's on the student. I don't see any obligation on the school's part to help them make up clinical hours. My own school was strict about absences and "I didn't feel like showing up" or "in my culture black undergarments under white is conventional" wouldn't fly. People were thrown out for less. I suggest they dismiss these students and the rest will conform or follow them out the door. 

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

In the way-back days when I was in nursing school, we had to wear all-white uniforms, shoes and socks. After we graduated, we had a party at one student’s house and literally burned our whites, that’s how odious they were. In those times health care institutions were generally more accepting of different types of scrubs and we wore colorful tops with designs on them that even included seasonal patterns. Now they’ve gone back to monochromatic uniforms and while it’s indeed easier for patients to recognize each discipline, it’s also boring and I miss seeing nurses in cute scrubs. (The change didn’t happen until I’d left the profession, thank goodness.) At least they usually don’t have to wear white…

[33Weeker]

First, make sure the policy is in writing and enforceable. Then approach them privately and make sure there is not an economic barrier to them following the dress code. If so, help them out. If not, make it clear the rule will be enforced, even if it means them being expelled from the program. 30-something years ago, when I went to nursing school, we followed the rules for fear of the consequences. Our society has gone soft.

[beachynurse, ASN, BSN]

On 12/27/2022 at 8:56 PM, Tegridy said:

White is the dumbest color ever to make someone wear. While professionalism is important, instructor should focus on quality instruction instead of policing standards while making students wear the worst color possible. Students pay money for education not for another set of parents. 

I’m afraid I disagree with you here. White has always signified student as long as I can remember. These stub are already coming out of high school with a sense of entitlement the likes of which I’ve never seen before. There are no dress codes. I see more boobs and butts because no one monitors them. They MUST learn professional dress somehow and somewhere. 
I taught CNA classes and before going to clinical I held a “dress rehearsal “. All students were to come to class as if going to clinical. I would correct each infraction and let them know what the penalty would have been at clinical. Whether it be points off or being sent home, they learned prior to clinical what my expectations were. I rarely had to send anyone home. But when I did they were dismissed from clinical. Not my rule, the schools rule.