I just interviewed for a position in a ped. ER w/in a predominently adult hospital. They are transitioning to uniforms (Nurses dark blue, techs light blue) in a few months. I don't have a problem with uniforms for adults but I'm suprised about them adopting this policy for the kiddos as well. 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. I was just wondering what everyone thought, what the pros and cons are, and especially if any of you work in peds. and have to wear uniforms, what the response has been with staff, parents, and kids...
When we did our peds clinical rotation at a children's hospital in the city, we didn't have to wear all white scrubs (ha we were all excited about that). Also, I noticed quite a few nurses wore scrub pants, but wore whatever shirt they wanted... not a scrub top, but just a regular shirt. The nurse that I followed wore a red shirt with Strawberry Shortcake on it, it was really cute, but I thought it was a bit odd that they let them do that.
I work in a combo adult/peds ER (we have 2 "sides" one for peds and one for adults) We have a choice.....uniform is navy pants with white scrub top (hospital name, logo, and "RN" embroidered on the chest) or we have a peds top that is colorful and more "kid-like". It still keeps us looking profesional, but can be a little more kid friendly.
I really don't think though that seeing everyone in the same scrubs would scare a kid. The situation is so traumatic in itself for most kids regardless of what you're wearing.
Thanks for the thoughts! We can't wear printed jackets either, we can't even wear a shirt under our scrubs unless we wear same color jacket over the ensemble. It's quite strict, a bit extreme in my opinion. But, I'm a newbie so I'm trying to remain open minded. My little girl has been hospitalized 7 times in the last 2.5 years and I couldn't even begin to count the ER visits, and even myself as the parent greatly appreciated the cheery colorful environment, due in part to spongebob, mickey, etc. scrubs, in a stressful and scary time. Depends how you look at it I guess, my little girl was life flighted one time in critical condition so I was in that mind set that the pp mentioned and to tell you the truth, my mind was not on scrub prints, but everyone is different. Can't make everyone happy. I see the professionalism looking point. The differentiation or security points I don't necessarily agree with because of the name badge thing and other options available for these puposes. Plus any individual who really wants to do harm is not going to be deterred by a dress code. Anyone can buy navy and light blue scrubs. I've always relied on the name badges, personally, and not had any problems. I can see people getting grumpy about the policy, I myself am going to need convincing before I would consider working at this hospital versus the peds hospital very close by, not to be narrow minded or anything, it's just I love kids, and part of my draw to peds is the colorfulness and the effort to try and be as non-hospitalike as possible. I would be very interested to hear if there are indeed any major pediatric centers that have adopted a strict uniform policy...anyway, alas the debate draws on.
Wen83
60 Posts
When we did our peds clinical rotation at a children's hospital in the city, we didn't have to wear all white scrubs (ha we were all excited about that). Also, I noticed quite a few nurses wore scrub pants, but wore whatever shirt they wanted... not a scrub top, but just a regular shirt. The nurse that I followed wore a red shirt with Strawberry Shortcake on it, it was really cute, but I thought it was a bit odd that they let them do that.