Uniform Confusion

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I work at a doctor's office and my physician boss insists that all nurses wear long sleeve tops under their scrubs or a lab coat. It's been a practice for several years. When I questioned this (as a new employee to the facility) she said it's a OSHA requirement. I am not buying this and did some research, but could not find any information on the long sleeve requirements. Hospital nurses wear regular scrub tops and have the highest potential to come into contact with every possible bodily fluid. At the office we don't even draw blood - just allergy testing. One of our nurses just had a colonoscopy and came back and told everyone in a joking manner, " those nurses in the hospital are practically running around naked in their little scrub tops". :)

Does anyone have any information on dress codes for nurses ? Something official so i can take it to her.Thanks !

On a side note, i work with many old timer nurses who do not even wear gloves while giving shots for immunotherapy or doing intra-dermal testing. My boss is ok with that but insists on long sleeves :)

Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

I go "naked" from the forearms down. Last thing I want to do is bring home something on jewelry, watch or cuffs. It's a little odd when someone asks me what time it is when I'm not at work, because I look at my breast -- where my fob watch usually rides.

I'd suggest buying a pair of cuffs (you know, like the Chippendales) and wear those cuffs under your lab coat! Voila!

I wonder if you could get those in a set with those things advertised on tv to cover your butt crack when you bend over that are supposed to look like you're wearing a shirt underneath.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

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There are No real laws from OSHA...but if it is that facilities policy....you have not choice but to follow dress code ot gently ask if there may be allowences or changes on a trial basis.

I go "naked" from the forearms down. Last thing I want to do is bring home something on jewelry, watch or cuffs. It's a little odd when someone asks me what time it is when I'm not at work, because I look at my breast -- where my fob watch usually rides.

LOL ! Thanks !

Thanks !!!! I owe you all :)

1. He is not conservative and his request has nothing to do with culture..unless white is a culture :-)

2. I've challenged his OSHA rule many times and have asked for proof but he says thats how it is.

I hope to bring up this topic again...relight the fire :-)

Specializes in Med-Surg; Telemetry; School Nurse pk-8.

Most nurses that I have known have chosen to wear a shirt (long sleeve or otherwise) under their scrub top to avoid providing a free peep-show to the patient when they have to lean over the patient at bedside. Of course, then there's me... my patient would need to use binoculars to see anything :)

Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

Is it a matter of tattoos? Some have them...boss wants them covered...doesn't want to confront those who have them...so everyone wears long sleeves... ??

Is it a matter of tattoos? Some have them...boss wants them covered...doesn't want to confront those who have them...so everyone wears long sleeves... ??
Had some thought along those lines....OP see if you can check out your coworkers wrists, lol.
Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

sounds more like a personal preference than anything. Short sleeves = better infection control. GLOVES = better infection control

Talking back to supervisor = loss of job?

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