uniforms are killing us

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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.

Well, there you go: to each his own!

I remember some photos of 1900's nursing classes, and THAT would be quite a sight in hospital nursing today: ankle-length full dresses with aprons and poufy sleeves, and heeled strappy shoes. Yeesh.

Some of what looks strange to us today was actually quite practical in its time. Ankle length dresses could be quite comfortable in places where there was no central heating. There were no pantyhose in those days so a long skirt could cover bare legs or even long woolen underwear. In warm weather without the blessings of airconditioning, a loose fitting skirt is far more comfortable than slacks or scrub pants.

The aprons were flat and had no buttons to complicate washing or ironing. They were separate from the dresses and it was so easy, as well as cost-effective, to change just an apron instead of a full uniform when one got stained in the middle of a shift.

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I REALLY dislike the "wrap" look that's being sold now. Hard to find a top without it.

I agree with you about the wrap tops. They look unprofessional and trendy rather than professional. Plus we older nurses don't need to look fashionable. I went to the uniform store locally yesterday and almost all the new tops were the mock-wrap style! :uhoh3:

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Some of what looks strange to us today was actually quite practical in its time. Ankle length dresses could be quite comfortable in places where there was no central heating. There were no pantyhose in those days so a long skirt could cover bare legs or even long woolen underwear. In warm weather without the blessings of airconditioning, a loose fitting skirt is far more comfortable than slacks or scrub pants.

The aprons were flat and had no buttons to complicate washing or ironing. They were separate from the dresses and it was so easy, as well as cost-effective, to change just an apron instead of a full uniform when one got stained in the middle of a shift.

Ok, it had a practicality and charm for its day....but frankly I'm glad that day has passed, and I'd never advocate for its return. The sheet-as-apron made sense, I'll grant you, but thankfully we no longer have to choose between being dirty in a heavy gown or slinging on a clean full-length apron. Today's garments are light and comfortable.

I wore plenty of period costumes in my college theatre days and still can't imagine preferring that over the one-layered cotton sheeting scrubs I wear now :)

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I REALLY dislike the "wrap" look that's being sold now. Hard to find a top without it.

I agree with you about the wrap tops. They look unprofessional and trendy rather than professional. Plus we older nurses don't need to look fashionable. I went to the uniform store locally yesterday and almost all the new tops were the mock-wrap style! :uhoh3:

You know, I never gave it a whole lot of thought: I see that style, but I also see so many of the more traditional ones. And the traditional cut but with the more trendy colored piping on the neckline and sleeves.

And hey, who said that because you're "older" you have to look frumpy? I like fashionable when fashionable is comfortable and cheap ;)

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Specializes in ER/ ICU.

In my hospital all RN's no matter what department wear royal blue and or white. No patterns or designs. When someone looks for a nurse it's pretty easy to spot us. At first, noone liked the change, but it is alot more professional.

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You know, I never gave it a whole lot of thought: I see that style, but I also see so many of the more traditional ones. And the traditional cut but with the more trendy colored piping on the neckline and sleeves.

And hey, who said that because you're "older" you have to look frumpy? I like fashionable when fashionable is comfortable and cheap ;)

I guess to each his own. :) I don't look frumpy but I know I don't look good in the 'younger' styles lol. My own sense of clothes has always been traditional I think.

I've started wearing all the same color lately. We HAVE to wear lavender pants, so I've gotten some matching lavendar scrubtops (button up or tunic) and wear a longsleeved white shirt underneath. It makes me feel more professional since we can't wear white.

We can wear prints on our floor, often people wear baby or flower themes. I like the quieter ones and have a few but some nurses wear really bright prints. Again, to each his own, I guess.

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

I have about 6-7 pairs of black scrub pants with a drawstring waist and a pocket in the right leg (White Swan brand) and I pair them up with these tops:

http://www.mynursinguniforms.com/dickies-13202.html

I have them in just about every color they make and also a few patterned ones, like the pin-striped blue one and a blue/black/white one. I also just bought a few Mad About Scrubs patterned tops; one has brightly colored flowers on a black background, one has sunflowers on a rust colored background, and the other is just for Halloween....green background with black bats, pumpkins, spiders, etc. I wear my black Danskos to work and with the black pants and mock wrap tops, I look very professional.

I will say that I'm very short waisted so the Dickies Hip Flips and Mock Wrap tops don't expose my belly. They hit me just at the hipbone, which is perfect. I've seen them on other people who are much taller and they show a bit too much skin for my taste. I'm thrilled I finally found tops that don't go all the way over my butt (making it look bigger than it already is!). And the pants are super cheap (2 for $15) and are very comfortable. They look almost dressy because of the material and since they are all black and I pair them with the different tops, getting dressed for work is easy!

Melanie = )

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I don't care what nurses wear as long as they are identifyable, clean, and have tied back hair and trimmed nails.

I enjoy wearing unusual colors because my clientele enjoys looking at them. It's a great icebreaker, and I believe in the therapeutic effect of color on the elderly.

I don't like the new trends coming out in uniform catalogues for the "gen X" crowd. Low hems on the pant legs are unsanitary (do you want to think of what your pant hem is dragging in?), and the 'visible boxer short waistband look' which is cute but I think does nothing to add to your credibility.

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Many nurses look like goofballs with their rediculously cutesy outfits, often have poor diction (discernably low class accents) and frequently use improper English (nursing professors are especially adept at this). When was the last time your physician called you "honey"? You might as well be at the local diner than the hospital. Nursing is a blue collar job...and will always be.. Sorry for the reality check.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
Many nurses look like goofballs with their rediculously cutesy outfits, often have poor diction (discernably low class accents) and frequently use improper English (nursing professors are especially adept at this). When was the last time your physician called you "honey"? You might as well be at the local diner than the hospital. Nursing is a blue collar job...and will always be.. Sorry for the reality check.

You fit write in,honey...

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Many nurses look like goofballs with their rediculously cutesy outfits, often have poor diction (discernably low class accents) and frequently use improper English (nursing professors are especially adept at this). When was the last time your physician called you "honey"? You might as well be at the local diner than the hospital. Nursing is a blue collar job...and will always be.. Sorry for the reality check.

Blue collar job??? Are you kidding me???

The last time my physician called me honey.... I was 6.

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.
Many nurses look like goofballs with their rediculously cutesy outfits, often have poor diction (discernably low class accents) and frequently use improper English (nursing professors are especially adept at this). When was the last time your physician called you "honey"? You might as well be at the local diner than the hospital. Nursing is a blue collar job...and will always be.. Sorry for the reality check.

Are you kidding?:uhoh3:

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