uniform scrubs with embroidered "RN" offensive?

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Our hospital is going to take away rental scrubs and force RN's to buy their own, giving them a tiny amount in compensation- supposedly enough to buy two pairs of the most basic, cheapest royal blue synthetic scrubs from a designated manufacturer. We can buy something more special such as cargo pant styles or kimono style tops, but, that extra cost comes out of our wallet. The nurses all have to have giant RN embroidered on their scrubs from this manufacturer. We are encouraged to donate our own personal scrubs to a charity.

We NICU RN's go in and out of the operating rooms. Is there an increase risk for infection going in with scrubs washed at home? Why do we have to wear this new uniform? Do any of you have to do this now? What do you think?:coollook:

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Specializes in Peds/Neo CCT,Flight, ER, Hem/Onc.

I haven't had hospital supplied scrubs since 1989. I dare say this is probably the norm. I've never had a hospital compensate me, even minimally, for the cost of scrubs I have purchased. As for the OR, that's what cover gowns are for. Other than transporting a patient there isn't any reason for you to be in the OR for more than a few minutes and if your presence is needed you can always change into greens. Having "RN" embroidered on my scrubs really isn't any big deal...I am one after all. Sorry, probably not what you wanted to hear but really this isn't that big of a deal.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, educator.

We haven't had hospital issued scrubs since the late 80's. You aren't an OR nurse so it doesn't really matter what you have on. We do OR on our unit and we go in there with our regular uniforms on.

And at least they are compensating you something, we have to buy all of ours, including lab coats.

As for the RN, we have a big orange tag we have to wear that says RN. I'd rather have it embroidered lol But, this is an initiative that probably came from surverys since most people don't know who are who since everyone wears scrubs.

It really isn't a big deal in the long run.

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I've always purchased my own scrubs. Never had hospital-issued scrubs.

I don't think having "RN" on your uniform is offensive. Everyone and their second-cousin wears scrubs now. Folks want to know who the nurse is. ;)

steph

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

Never had a hospital give me scrubs NOR a supplement to buy them.

Office workers don't get money to go suit shopping so why should we get money to buy scrubs?

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I've always bought my own scrubs as well. Never been compensated either. I don't understand why having RN on your top would be offensive. It's your title, what you are. It's what you worked so hard for in school. Wear it proudly:)

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Specializes in NICU.

Haha I can think of more offensive scrubs to wear than that. :rolleyes: I agree that it sucks to have to wear a uniform like that. Fortunately in my NICU we wear our own bought scrubs! The only requirement is our pants have to be blue to show we are nurses and our name badges on our tops say RN too with a badly taken face photo from HR (seriously, HR needs to be required to take photography classes because my picture looks offensive lol). I love love love to wear my fun print scrub tops and would be very sad if my unit took that away!

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(seriously, HR needs to be required to take photography classes because my picture looks offensive lol).

THIS is the offensive part. :coollook: You are so right - I'll bet they were trained by the DMV. ;)

steph

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

Our NICU nurses wear their own scrubs. If they are in the OR for a delivery they wear caps and disposable cover gowns, and that's it.

The only nursing staff who wear hospital-supplied scrubs at my place are L&D and OR/anesthesia. I've always had to buy my own scrubs (3 different facilities) and it's not that big a deal. I shop the online discounts.

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Specializes in NICU.

You are actually getting some money for this? WOW! This is NOT unusual at all. We not only provide our own, but we have to change at the hospital and we share ONE locker room with Post Partum and L&D. On any given morning there are about 40 nurses in one locker room! It's NOT a big one either!

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Specializes in L & D; Postpartum.

I make my own scrubs and have worn them for years, because something (I think it might be the thread used for seaming) makes nasty fiery red lines along my arms and legs, right where the seams are. There was a big to-do about me doing this about 15 years ago, but no studies anywhere could prove that wearing hospital-provided scrubs was any "cleaner" than mine. In fact, many of the nurses wear their scrubs home and back in. I carry mine in, change there, and reverse the process when I go home. Oh, and I embroidered my name and RN on the pockets of my jackets.!

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I don't understand what part of this is meant to be offensive..

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