Unit Manager Demands I Cut My Hair

[Nurse Cookie Swirl]

So I just started at this ICU floor. Been here for around 6months. My hair hasn't changed the whole time I've been here. I regularly go to the barbershop, shower, take care of myself...always look presentable. Manager has been dropping hints to get a haircut the past couple weeks. I thought she was just joking. Then she pulls me into her office yesterday and tells me how disappointed she is in me for not taking her requests seriously. What do I do? Shave my head? I don't want to lose my job. Is this something I can get fired for?

Any advice would be extremely appreciated!

Thanks,

-Swirl

[Nienna Celebrindal]

I love your hair from the picture. I hope you just wear an OR cap and I'm sorry that you are getting grief. I think its BS and crosses an ethical and maybe even racial line. In pony tails people still shed hair. I'd be pissed if I were you. I'm angry for you!

[lavenderskies, BSN]

You are mistaken. If you have naturally kinky hair your locs are formed by your hair holding onto itself, not dirt and grease. And to add, the term DREADlock was coined by europeans who visited the islands because they thought the native's hair looked dreadful. Many find the term insulting (myself included).

It also occurs with non kinky hair. It just doesn't happen as fast.

And to prior poster with the mistaken belief that they are held together with dirt and grease....when I combed my 4 year old ones out there was no dirt or grease....just a lot of very very very dry hair BECAUSE normal scalp oils do not get down into the knotted hair.

[silasozzie]

get to Australia ASAP, that is beyond

ridiculous... not to mention completely SEXIST! just how long are the female staff wearing their hair?????

[NotAllWhoWandeRN, ASN, RN]

Besides mental illness is hardly ever cured nor does rationality prevail in many nursing situations.

Don't insult the mentally ill. Racism is racism.

If the locs really were shedding I can see why it would be cause for concern in an ICU - but people with straight, short hair shed, too. The new 'do looks nice, and I hope it keeps people off your back. I'm sorry there are still people who think well-kept natural hair is unhygienic.

Edited to add: If that doesn't keep the manager off your back, send an e-mail saying something like "You have voiced x concerns about my hairstyle. I see that the hospital dress code states '[clean, well-groomed, off the neck, whatever].' My current style is clean, well-groomed, and off the neck. Can you be more specific about how you believe I'm not in compliance? Sincerely, OP" Ask for a written reply, not a verbal one.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

Obviously my opinion doesn't mean jack as it's the opinion of the nurse manager that seems to matter here, but I'll give mine anyway. Both the before and after look fantastic. Seems like the fade may be a bit more upkeep, but it does look good. While I think giving you grief over a hairstyle is beyond picky, I am curious to hear this mangers response to the new 'do. So please keep us posted.

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

Any updates?

Still getting grief since the "shorter but still ethnic" change???

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Did this happen just the other day? Was it getting kind of long?

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

How often do you have to go to the hair dressers to keep the designs in the fade up? Once a month?

[Nurse Cookie Swirl]

Any updates?

Still getting grief since the "shorter but still ethnic" change???

Surprisingly I've been left alone. People really like the fade. It is a lot of work though. Not as much as my old locks but I go to the barber every other week. It probably only needs maintenance once a month but my friends work in the shop so I go more for social reasons.

We have a lot of new people coming onto the floor. They seem to be getting the managers wrath now. Seeing her give them trouble now makes me wonder if this is hazing. Not the frat house college definition of hazing but the unpleasant humiliation side of it. I'm precepting one now and am trying to remain a positive teacher without bad mouthing management but...I'm having a real hard time finding nice things to say about our unit :-(

[brillohead, ADN, RN]

...I'm having a real hard time finding nice things to say about our unit :-(

Glad things are going better for you, but sorry you're still seeing bad stuff going on around you.

Are all the coworkers just as bad, or is it mainly the unit manager that's a PITA? If you have good teammates, that can be something positive to say about the unit, even when the PITA's being her meanie-butt self.