The retro nurse's outfit has returned

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Specializes in None Yet.
dajulieness Re: The retro nurse's outfit has returned

Originally Posted by nursemike viewpost.gif

So, people can't tell nurses from housekeepers because everybody wears scrubs. Solution: nurses shouldn't wear scrubs.

Is it just me, or has the world lost its mind?

So what do we wear then?

I think nursemike meant that it was a backwards idea that if patients can't tell difference, to up and change the nurses uniforms and not the housekeepers. Don't take my word for it though, thats just what I got from it.

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It makes me sick. What other profession wears a totally non-functional hat like that? For that matter, how many professionals wear uniforms at all? How do we look like we work in partnership with the doctors when they are dressed professionally or in scrubs, and we are wearing impractical costumes? How much time and money would we have to waste carefully laundering white uniforms?

Why should we bend over backwards for "older folks" who probably equate that uniform they like with what they used to think nurses did, back in the fifties?

My professionalism is shown in my manner, and when I walk into a room and a patient's on the phone, the patient says "gotta go, my nurse is here". I don't need a costume.

I am passionate about nursing history and I admire our forebears greatly, and sure, the old uniforms are aesthetically pleasing, but getting rid of them was one of the best decisions our profession made.

Plus, I gotta say, I hate to think what kind of attention I'd be getting from male patients if I wore that outfit. It's bad enough as it is, frankly.

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Specializes in Oncology.

I can't imagine I would be taken seriously dressed like that. It brings imagines of "sex symbol" nurses seen in many Media sites. I also imagine with older doctors it may take them back to a time mentally where nurses couldn't express their opinions and were expected to remain silent and compliant. That would negatively effect patient care. Further, in a job where I'm expected to clean poop, stop bleeding, lift and turn and position patient, I can't imagine that uniform being functional.

My proposed solution? Don't let house keepers or secretaries or cafetaria workers where scrubs. Housekeepers? Slacks and a solid colored top. Secretaries? Business casual. Cafetaria workers? Not sure what they're called, but whatever food service workers who don't work in a hospital wear. I know it's not scrubs.

Our hospital, and I know many others, have large tags that hang below the usual name tag that say RN in big, bold, letters.

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Wow! Would the GUY nurses have to wear the white nurse caps too? I can't WAIT to see this! LOL! (or pantyhose?) Tee hee. I mean, in the name of professionalism and all...

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Specializes in Oncology.
Wow! Would the GUY nurses have to wear the white nurse caps too? I can't WAIT to see this! LOL! (or pantyhose?) Tee hee. I mean, in the name of professionalism and all...

Another good point. It takes nursing back to a time when it was strictly a "female job." Men were doctors, females were nurses (or teachers, or secretaries, that's it). That would be a huge regression for the profession.

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I'll wear a cap as soon as all the male nurses have to wear one too. For one, because if a cap is going to convince people I'm a nurse, then I'd prefer to put on a tiara and see how many people let me run their country because I'm a queen. For two, if it takes a cap to look like a nurse, then if the men aren't wearing caps, how will we know they're nurses? Also the practical reason, I'm another tall gal, and as many times as I've knocked my head on the tv or the bili lamps or the trapeze frame, that hat won't stay on my head.

And definitely agree with nursemike. I'm sick and tired of everytime the argument is "You can't tell who's a nurse because everyone wears scrubs!" Well then tell everyone else to get out of the scrubs. If some old lady can't figure out that I'm the nurse, then we'll just see how far she gets asking the housekeeper for her "nerve pill."

And if we're going to go retro, perhaps the docs should too:

drmario.jpg

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Why don't they just go really retro and at night turn off all the lights and have the "angels of mercy" make their rounds with lanterns.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.

Hey, I'm game for anything! I'll wear a skirt, pantyhose, a cap, whatever they want. Most places frown on cross dressing, though. Maybe male nurses are too radical a departure for the retro people. Maybe the retro idea isn't that good after all. Come to think of it, I'd probably get arrested for cross dressing in New Mexico. Or just shot.

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Hey, I'm game for anything! I'll wear a skirt, pantyhose, a cap, whatever they want. Most places frown on cross dressing, though. Maybe male nurses are too radical a departure for the retro people. Maybe the retro idea isn't that good after all. Come to think of it, I'd probably get arrested for cross dressing in New Mexico. Or just shot.

Rarrr Haaarrrr! LOL!:lol2::lol2::lol2:

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So, people can't tell nurses from housekeepers because everybody wears scrubs. Solution: nurses shouldn't wear scrubs.

Is it just me, or has the world lost its mind?

What should they wear?

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What should they wear?

Perhaps housekeeping could wear all white? After all, they'll only mop after you've cleaned up the blood, vomit or poo, so they won't have to worry about getting stains on their clothes.

But really, I had a housekeeping job at one time, pants and a polo shirt.

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It makes me sick. What other profession wears a totally non-functional hat like that?

Waffle House grill cooks. And I gotta tell you, if I go into a Waffle House, and see someone without a hat at the grill, I think they might be nurse.

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