Uniforms

[jamminworld]

Does you hospital require you to wear a single color uniform? If so do you like it this way or would you rather wear something else?

[ranchwife]

Luckily, where I work, we have no required "dress code" other than "clean, neat scrubs/uniforms in good condition"........we all apply to that and keep our appearances professional! Some wear prints, some wear cartoons, some wear colors and one nurse wears all white!!

We keep our hair out of our faces and NO PAINTED OR PHONY NAILS ALLOWED because of studies showing the chance for harboring nasty bugs!!

[jmgrn65, RN]

Just like Ranchwife.

[jjjoy, LPN]

People seem to have very strong opinions about this and I want to emphasize that I don't think everyone should feel the same way I do. This is just how I feel about it.

Personally, I don't mind uniforms as long as they're not hideous. I like not having to think about what matches or "what am I going to wear today?" And I only need maybe 4 sets of a uniform that I regularly launder instead of having a closet full of various different tops and bottoms. I'm satisfied with individualizing in small ways at work (eg a colorful stethoscope). Otherwise, expressing myself through dress isn't a priority for me. I'm the type that will throw on jeans and a T-shirt every day that I'm not working. And I like being able to easily recognize others in the hospital by their uniform instead of wondering if they are PT, RT, RN, etc until I'm close enough to see their badge.

[1BunnyRN]

Hi, yes where I work RN's wear all white and then LPN's have a color and tech's, RT, you get the point, at first I didn't like the idea I think it looks professional but I was worried about getting dirty, it does make identifying people much easier when you float or people float to your floor. I just keep a tide pen with me (they get out almost all stains) I've only had to get a set of OR scrubs once.

[pwp1289]

the nurses can wear any color scrubs--i make my own tops and have some for all the holidays--even columbus day!!!! i have made and worn "costume scrubs" for halloween--

[MOOSEMAN]

I worked at one hospital ED where we had to wear Dockers and Polo shirt. It only lasted for about a year. Pt's couldn't figure out who was who.

[ls99us]

I am in my first year of clinicals. I have noticed that the geriatric patients, and the students too, have a hard time distinguishing betweent the nurses, aids, and housekeeping staff.

My first day on the acute care unit, one of the Dr's was dressed very casually and didn't have her name tag on, she entered the room just as the housekeeping cart was pushed up to the door. Some of us students thought she was with housekeeping. Very uncomfortable when the patient bumped the call light and we walked in to see if she was okay, thus interupting the Dr.

I think I would like the staff to wear job specific color scrubs. But maybe after a few years of nursing, I may change my mind.