uniforms are killing us

[parklandtrauma]

What do you all think of current nursing wear. it kills me to go up to a adult floor and see RN's wearing all these crazy looking tops with cartoons and teddy bears on them. personally i see why some of the public looks down to a nurse and is always wanting the DR. We look terrible. I think all floors should have set colors for each positon. RN's, LVN's, PCA's, it gives a sense of order. just wanted to know how others see it, because i just was looking at a web site for nursing uniforms, and i couldn't help but laugh at some of them.

[yougohelen]

I agree about the fingernails! YUCK! But, I disagree about the

white uniform looking the best. I think white uniforms are for bakers. White uniforms get dingy and stained. That is not very

professional looking. I like the colored uniforms. They sort of give

you a nice lift. Some of the prints are just "too cutesy"for my

taste. But, to each his own!

[Rhoresmith]

Well everyone get ready to yell at me!!!

I am getting ready to start nursing school in the fall and I am 42 and have wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl sooo what I would like to at least have when I graduate is a nursing cap. Our school doesn't even have a capping anymore. I am very diappointed always dreamed of having that cap and a crisp white uniform... I think the scrubs are more practical but for at least graduation I would like to have the cap You know part of the little girls dream I think most to the older people going in remember those caps and that look and would feel the same okay start in on me lol

Rhonda

[bklynborn]

ok.........so since we all wear one whatever it looks like ......where do you do your shopping........who has the best, most wearable, reasonably priced uniforms????? I like Green Scrubs and Smart Scrubs............................white solid or print.................and I need Tall scrub pants .................

[TazziRN, RN]

Almost all the nurses at the rural facility I work at wear printed scrubs, from either Scrub Factory or SCRUBS. The different patterns give our patients something to look at and comment about, and the varieties can reflect a personality.

[shelleybelle]

I agree w/the whole uniform issue... I'm currently a student and the feedback I've gotten back from patients, visitors, etc. in the hospital setting is that most people wish ALL nurses wore white uniforms. They don't care about cute tops, color coded uniforms, etc. Someone who's really ill couldn't careless if housekeeping wears only navy uniforms, while OR & ER wears surgical green. All they know is they want what they want... and they want it NOW :)

Although left up to my mother (a former nurse) she would have all nurses wearing the old nursing dresses, white TEDS hose, ugly white brogan shoes AND a hat to top it all off!

[insomniac]

I dont know about other hospitals in Australia , but all the ones I have ever worked in, the only place that scrubs are seen are in theatre. It would feel really bizarre to walk around the wards in scrubs. I would feel like I was in my pyjamas! Where I currently work, the nursing uniform has a very corporate business type look (tailored pants/skirt/ dress/jacket) with a couple of types of shirts (either collared or non collared)and black or navy shoes. I think we are easily identifiable from the kitchen/maintenance staff, although I think sometimes we get confused for the admin staff and vice versa! We dont have Nursing assistants so that is not a problem. I like our uniform and think we look very professional. I am definately not having a go at people who wear scrubs - hey if that is the standard dress where you work - go hard! Like I said previously it is only because I have never come across that type of uniform out of theatre that I find it strange. I agree with previous posts - as long as you are clean, have your hair tied back etc etc and most importantly act like a professional - that is what matters. And if it gets you through the day...

I was just thinking, I bet scrubs hide a multitude of sins (ie Xmas bingeing!!!) a lot more effectively than a tailored skirt - I wonder who I need to speak to about changing the uniform...!!

[Nadine RN]

Originally posted by insomniac

It would feel really bizarre to walk around the wards in scrubs. I would feel like I was in my pyjamas!

I work straight midnights and thank gawd for my pj like scrubs!!Although I must admit your uniform sounds very intriguing...

[udontwannabme]

I like showing my personality with my scrub tops. If I can brighten someones day with a silly colorful top then why not? That's why I wear a name tag that says CNA, and my nurse wears one that says RN or LPN. I always make it very clear who I am when I enter the room. But hey, everyone has an opinion and that's mine. Maybe It's just the kid in me

[IRISHBREAD]

I WORK ON A PEDS UNIT SO I DO WEAR CARTOON TOPS TO DISTRACT THE KIDS. WHEN I'M TRYING TO TAKE TEMPS OR VITALS THE PARENTS USUALLY POINT OUT THE CARTOONS ON MY SCRUB. I GUESS IF I WORKED WITH ADULTS I WOULD PROBABLY WEAR MORE ADULT STYLE TOPS. I DO LIKE THE DIFFERENT COLORS AVAILABLE NOW. MOST HOSPITALS HAVE WHITE WALLS WITH WHITE SHEETS AND WHITE BLANKETS. IT'S NICE TO HAVE A LITTLE COLOR ADDED TO THE UNIT.

[one2one]

I think print tops, cutesy cartoons are fine for the nursery, peds, and long term care where they brighten up the day for your pts, but I definitely think solid colors are best for most hospital floors and units. It's much easier to tell who is who quickly if they are identified by their clothing.

[keypit2yrself]

The worst "uniform" I ever saw was a nurse who was delivering care in sweats!! Being from the old school I nearly dropped my teeth. I was a visitor and not an employee in that hospital. (I wondered where her manager was). Personally, dressing professionally says alot about yourself and will speak volumes to patients and their families. It's human nature- right or wrong to size up a person and a big part of that is how you dress. If you want to be treated like a professional the first step is to act like one. Now I don't advocate going back to the days of starched white uniforms and caps but standards should be high and enforced. Slobs need not apply.

[nuangel1, BSN, RN]

i wear colored and prints. i buy good quality scrubs and i wear a name tag that says rn.i don't want to wear white and /or with caps .the idea is outdated with all we do today .white is impractical.and personally when i work i dress for my comfort as i work 12-16 hr shifts.what i wear has nothing to with my ability as a nurse.and yes my scrubs are neat .i don't care if my pts like my uniforms.