Uniforms in peds?!

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2006

If I were 3 and taken to the ER scared out of my little mind, I'd really freak seeing people walking around all dressed alike.

May I ask why? I'm not sure what the issue is? Small children know that adults dress in certain ways for certain functions, and have some understanding that they themselves are dressed differently for different occasions.

I'm all for doing whatever possible to alleviate the fear of little ones, but I'm not understanding your concern.

CoolhandHutch, MSN, RN · Apr 16, 2006

I think the kiddos are more concerned with whether or not you have a 'shot' in your pocket versus what you are wearing.

Atlnurstudt · Apr 16, 2006

I just think kids might feel more at ease with seeing staff that are dressed in a way that is more kid friendly...I don't know of any children's hospitals that have adapted this policy and there must be a reason they don't...

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2006

What are your suggestions for "kid friendly" attire that meets the functional needs of nurses in an ER?

The peds unit nurses in the 4 hospitals I've been in, including a Children's Hospital, all wore scrubs in accordance with the uniform standards of the facility.

Atlnurstudt · Apr 16, 2006

I would define kid friendly as being scrubs that are colorful, printed, or at least have staff not all wearing the same thing, even if that means sticking to solids. Even in nursing school we aren't allowed to wear our all white uniforms to peds clinical, they're afraid we'll scare the kids. If the department is well decorated and kid friendly, I can see the uniformity thing working if it has too, but what's the point is more my question. Why make everyone wear the same thing. You seldom see docs. wearing their white coats in peds for similar concerns. I wouldn't go near my grandfather growing up (a MD) until he took his white coat off. Kids have a way of remembering bad experiences and associating them with things like a person wearing a white coat or, in this instance, dressed from head to toe in royal blue. I'm speaking of a strict "scrubs in this color only" policy, not wearing scrubs...

TexasPediRN · Apr 16, 2006

I used to work Peds/Med Surg, and I *always* wore peds tops. We had no regulations when it came to what we could wear for scrubs, and I loved that.

And let me tell you, every single child LOVED seeing Pooh Bear, Dora, Nemo, Sesame Street, etc. It was almost as if you were more friendly coming in with one of those tops on to the child, then if you came into the room in one solid color. the parents appreciated it too. Every time we would come into the rooms, it would be "oh look jimmy, she has spronge bob on her shirt!!" and Jimmys face would like up and tell me how much he loved sponge bob. It was just a great way to break the ice, expecially with the toddler/preschool aged children.

Why not propose dark blue pants for the nurses, with any type pediatric top? And then maybe a dark blue coat if you need it?

Gompers, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2006

There are a couple of reasons for this.

1. It helps patients and their families identify who their nurse is, and not confuse the nurse with the aides or housekeeping (which has been known to happen).

2. It makes the healthcare team look much more professional.

3. It is a safety measure - someone can't just wander into the unit with any old kind of scrubs and take a child out of the unit without someone noticing. True, someone can just observe the unit long enough and figure out who wears what, but it does help to have some sort of uniformity. Just like where I work, all the nurses in OB, Peds, PICU, and NICU have pink name badges while the rest of the hospital staff has white. Mothers are told to only allow nurses with pink badges to take their children out of their eyesight.

I know there are tons of arguments out there saying that the cute scrubs are better for pediatrics because the kids love it and that helps to relieve anxiety. But the hospital does have it's reasons for wanting all it's nursing staff to match.

I worked at a children's hospital, and some of the units had designated colors that their staff had to wear. Others allowed the nurses to pick their own scrubs. The only rule? NO WHITE COATS. White scrub tops and bottoms were also disapproved of. Even the docs had pastel colored lab coats!

A few suggestions if you can't choose what scrubs you wear...

See if you can pick whatever warm-up jacket you want. I have to wear surgical scrubs for my job (lovely greenish-gray hospital laundered potato sacks) but I can pick whatever jacket I want.

Ultrascope stethescopes are a great icebreaker. I have one where the head looks like a smiley face. I take care of babies and whenever their siblings are visiting, they always go right for my stethescope. They can't wait to play with it. http://www.ultrascopes.com

:)

vampiregirl, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2006

I agree with Gomper's points. And to expand on her suggestion, stethoscope covers are another great idea, particularly if you are attached to a particular stethoscope. The stethoscope covers are inexpensive, washable, and a great icebreaker with peds (and even adults). They also can be found (or made) for all the different holidays. And lets not forget that a smiling face is another important accessory to any uniform.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Apr 16, 2006

Our hospital still allows for nurses to dress in scrubs of their choice, and it has been of benifit to staff and patients of all ages! Moral went up quite a bit, and people just seem happier and the place less staunchy than it was before!

I once worked in a ALF where everyone wore scrubs of their choice, and it was quite fun! The residents loved it and some even started making scrub tops for us to buy, or scrunchies, or steth covers...it was fun! It was kind of a contest to get the best looking scrub combo (not obnoxious like colors that knocked you out looking at them...we are talking nice!). It was always fun!

But then a uniform policy came, and I saw moral go down for several months. What use to be a smiling happy place (the reason I wanted to be employed there, residents and staff were happy and looked the part) now was a gloomy tan and ceil color...drab drab drab! You could feel the difference daily! It was amazing but it was like you took the sunshine out of the day and put in rain!

Seeing both these things makes me think there is so much more to colorful nice uniforms! It brings light into a drab place, makes nurses and other medics more human and unique, and just feels better all around!

I understand the reasons for requiring uniforms, heck I sure heard it when we all complained at that ALF (including residents and residents families!). However, at my hospital you are required to wear a badge to identify yourself at all times, nurses wear nursing aprons now, we carry pagers, and we have keys we wear on a scrunchie on our left arms...that identifies us too, and we still look professional!

I don't know, uniforms are nice in the fact you don't have to stress about what to wear, but these are scrubs...I don't stress much about scrubs like I would a business suit or what not.

So I am an advocate for nurses having a choice in scrubs and uniforms, even if the administration gives some patterned choices along with 1-2 color themes. Especially for kids or the elderly!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2006

Remember that this is a pediatric ER we're talking about. I agree with the hospital wanting their nurses in that area to wear uniforms because the ER is the "front line" to the hospital. They want the hospital to appear as professional as possible. By having matching, mature-looking uniforms, they project the image of a professional team.

Can you imagine if a heartbreaking trauma came through the peds ER? Say that is the first experience this family has with this particular hospital - their normally healthy child was critically injured and is fighting for his or her life (and maybe losing the battle) - and their nurse is wearing pajama-like Hello Kitty scrubs with flourescent pink clogs?

That's just my thoughts.

TexasPediRN · Apr 16, 2006

and their nurse is wearing pajama-like Hello Kitty scrubs with flourescent pink clogs?

Now that I will agree with, but, I think there is a certain way to wear a peds top and look professional, rather then look like you are in pajamas.

A pair of navy blue pants, white nursing shoes, a peds top, and a blue scrub jacket would be professional. What I dont think is professional is the hello kitty scrub top, bottoms, and the hot pink shoes. Or the sponge bob top, matching print pants, and matching shoes. Thats not professional..thats pajamas.

But I do see your point that the ER is the "front line" and they want all nurses to look professional.