Theatrical makeup ala tammy faye baker

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We have a few student nurses coming in here as part of their curriculum. There is one who dons theatrical makeup-false eyelashes and heavy tan makeup which I find so inappropriate. Should not the lady's nursing instructor tell her it's inappropriate? Why have they allowed it this far? Every nurse in my unit has made a comment on it; we all wear makeup and feel that foundation helps protect US from various splashes. But the globs of eyeshadow and eyelashes NEED TO GO. What should I say, if anything .

I just don't like the image this student nurse is represnting.

Thanks

Elizabeth

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Privately approach this student's CI (clinical instructor) and express your concerns.

Since I've moved to Texas, I've observed a great deal of healthcare workers with excessively heavy cosmetics. I wear makeup too, but some of these other women have gone "over the top" and look like "a hot mess." In my humble opinion, a pound of makeup on one's face doesn't look professional.

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It doesn't look professional in ANY setting.

I once worked in an office with a woman who dressed and made herself up in a manner more appropriate to a wedding reception - tons of hairspray and heavy, sequined dresses. She was the type that I never figured out what she did, if anything.

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Specializes in PICU, surgical post-op.

if all else fails, couldn't the false eyelashes count as a heath hazard? I can't believe that they're SO stuck on that there's no potential for them to fall into a sterile field!

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Thank you all for your replies. When I see them on Wed., I'll talk to the instructor. I know the world has changed but I would have hoped Nursing would not be a career where standards were lowered.::cry:

Eliza

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Specializes in FNP, Peds, Epilepsy, Mgt., Occ. Ed.

A couple of years ago I was in conversation with an undergraduate nursing instructor. I asked her what, exactly, was their dress code for clinicals.

"The three B's."

"What's that?"

"No boobs, no butts, no belly buttons!"

I couldn't believe you actually had to tell nursing students that it was not appropriate to dress in a revealing fashion.

Even at that, she had had a run-in with a student who got very offended when the instructor told her she needed to wear something- bra, undershirt, tee, something- under her scrub top. This was after the instructor was observing the student doing a procedure and, when the student bent over, the instructor saw way more than she wanted to!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency, Education, Informatics.

Nothing much has changed actually, I can still remember one of the sisters having a talk with a classmate about the color of her underwear, and how inapropriate it was. But then again I can also remember big hair, with lots of hairspray. And I started this in the late 70's

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Just a thought - sometimes people wear heavy foundation to cover something traumatic on their face. Does not explain the lashes, but we don't always know everything about a person just looking at them.

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A couple of years ago I was in conversation with an undergraduate nursing instructor. I asked her what, exactly, was their dress code for clinicals.

"The three B's."

"What's that?"

"No boobs, no butts, no belly buttons!"

I couldn't believe you actually had to tell nursing students that it was not appropriate to dress in a revealing fashion.

Even at that, she had had a run-in with a student who got very offended when the instructor told her she needed to wear something- bra, undershirt, tee, something- under her scrub top. This was after the instructor was observing the student doing a procedure and, when the student bent over, the instructor saw way more than she wanted to!

I've taught psych clinical within the last couple years, and had to remind (more than once, in some instances) female students that they did not want to wear anything revealing or anything that could be considered sexually provocative to psych clinical ... :uhoh21:

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Nothing much has changed actually, I can still remember one of the sisters having a talk with a classmate about the color of her underwear, and how inapropriate it was. But then again I can also remember big hair, with lots of hairspray. And I started this in the late 70's

Craig, I'm sure you think I'm being sooo catty...I wear alot of makeup-foundation for DAMN sure-my old nursing super had the big hair and lashes AND wore the ole white cap but she had paid her dues..she deserved to wear whatever. But in nursing school, are you there to be SEXY ? Leave that at home.

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I've taught psych clinical within the last couple years, and had to remind (more than once, in some instances) female students that they did not want to wear anything revealing or anything that could be considered sexually provocative to psych clinical ... :uhoh21:

Hi elk, your response brought back nursing school memories (1994)..we were in a large auditorium getting prepped for psych rotation. I had worn a sleeveless dress and was pointed out in front of everyone that a sleeveless dress was inappropriate (even though it was below my knees). Wow! I wanted to run out the room fast and DIE!! I laugh now when I see some of things that they let pass!!

Thanks for your response

Eliza

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Just a thought - sometimes people wear heavy foundation to cover something traumatic on their face. Does not explain the lashes, but we don't always know everything about a person just looking at them.

So true, but I'm not talking about student nursing psychoanalysis here, I'm talking about professional appearance-leave the HEAVY makeup for your bedroom-there was nothing wrong with her face as far as scarring-just eons of time spent under a tanning bed. This nursing student said she was 50 and to see her wearing such bizarre makeup would make me think....her wires are crossed.

Thanks for your reply

Eliza

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