Uniforms vs. scrubs?

I went to my first nursing orientation meeting today. They gave us a sheet on the dress code and told us we had to wear white uniforms not scrubs. I was too embarrassed to ask the difference. I have looked at some websites and it appears that scrubs have a v-neck and uniforms are button-up. Is that correct? Are there differences in the pants too?

I'm not sure how to say this, but basically I am bigger on top than on the bottom. If tops aren't tapered, it looks like I am wearing a tent. Has anyone found uniform tops that have some type of tapering at the waist, or do they all hang straight down from the chest?

One more question. They mentioned several times that we can wear white uniform dresses or skirts. Has anyone ever tried that? I keep thinking that I would run the white hose in the first ten minutes and have walk around like that all day.

Thanks so much for your help!

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Originally posted by LauraLou

I went to my first nursing orientation meeting today. They gave us a sheet on the dress code and told us we had to wear white uniforms not scrubs. I was too embarrassed to ask the difference. I have looked at some websites and it appears that scrubs have a v-neck and uniforms are button-up. Is that correct? Are there differences in the pants too?

I'm not sure how to say this, but basically I am bigger on top than on the bottom. If tops aren't tapered, it looks like I am wearing a tent. Has anyone found uniform tops that have some type of tapering at the waist, or do they all hang straight down from the chest?

One more question. They mentioned several times that we can wear white uniform dresses or skirts. Has anyone ever tried that? I keep thinking that I would run the white hose in the first ten minutes and have walk around like that all day.

Thanks so much for your help!

The pants for uniforms tend to be more tailored and fitted, and none of those goofy bell-bottom, flare legged things either.

Uniforms tend to be thicker in material than scrubs.

There are uniform tops that are tailored to fit. I see nurses wearing them all the time. A lot of the "scrub" catalogs have sections in the back that have uniform clothes.

And personally, i can't work in a dress or skirt. I don't want to work in pantyhose if i can avoid it.

[AmyLiz]

Yep. Look toward the back of the uniform catelogs...there should be a section for whites. Or go to a website like http://www.allheart.com and look for them there. There are some tops that are gathered in the back (think waistcoat, weskit or something along those lines). That gives them a little shape.

[SCNuttyMeg]

I just graduated in may and I wore a white uniform. The top had a collar and button down with two pockets on one side and one on the other. Then I always bought the white pants with the pleats all the way down the leg, it looked more professional. Just be thankful you dont have to wear an apron. I had to wear one. I still wear the white uniform. NO cargos, no drawstrings, flarred legs, or low cuts were allowed.

[rpbear]

The top had a collar and button down with two pockets on one side and one on the other. Then I always bought the white pants with the pleats all the way down the leg, it looked more professional. Just be thankful you dont have to wear an apron. I had to wear one. I still wear the white uniform. NO cargos, no drawstrings, flarred legs, or low cuts were allowed.

Same type shirt, although we are allowed to wear any style pant. The instructors were more concerned with the type of underwear you were wearing under them. No thogs, prints, or any color you could see. This meant flesh colored undies and bras only! Also, if the top has buttons we must wear an undershirt. The instructions were "if we can see your underwear you are going home!" I guess they had a wild bunch of student before us and had lots of underwear problems!:chuckle

Most uniform shops in the local area have a good idea of what each school requires. Check with them.

Molly