Wearing Rings

[mvm2]

Where you work can you wear your rings, and do you wear them? I work in Home Care, and I have been wearing mine. I hate not having them on I feel so lost without them, and if I do not wear them to work then I forget to put them on on the days or special times I want to make sure I am wearing them.

One thing I do get concerned about them is what does wearing gloves do to them. Do they get scratched, and I worry if I am doing something bad to the prongs

[MrsStudentNurse]

I wear my little engagement band at work.

[LightX]

I know some places don't allow you to wear any rings that are set high because you can scratch residents.

[Mewsin]

I wore my engagement ring once to work. The ring went through the gloves so I had to tuck it between my fingers but it wasn't comfortable. I just don't now. I also can't wear it to school during lab days so I am just getting used to taking it on and off.

[Bruce_Wayne, ASN, RN]

Evidenced based practice doesn't really favor rings, watches, bracelets, ties, or nail polish. So I try to avoid those things. I do wear a watch though but usually take it off after my assessments.

[yugot2h8]

I try not to wear rings to work. They usually get stuck coming in or out of gloves so I just leave them at home. Our instructors told us if it's not a smooth, plain wedding band to take them off.

I see a lot of nurses and aides wearing them though, I just prefer not to...it's already hard enough getting gloves on and off with sweaty hands. :-P

[MommaTy]

I always left my rings off. They always would stick/rip the gloves. But many nurses I know where their wedding rings and don't mind.

[Karenlee]

Rings can harbor bacteria and are discouraged, or so I was taught, so I went out and bought a plain silver band to wear while working. I can wear my diamond wedding ring any other time.

[blwilliams10]

I wouldn't recommend it as said that can break gloves and scratch residents. Honestly I would try to avoid anything on the lower arm down. It's an easy way to transport bacteria around as it is hard to properly clean it.

[Career2_BSN, BSN]

I bought a $20 plain, tungsten band to wear as a wedding band during work. The advertisement even said it was hypoallergenic and antibacterial (only because nothing will stick to it).

My mother's ring and usual wedding ring both have a lot of stones and every stone has settings that can capture bacteria that I will wear home and share with family. No thanks. Yes, I'm worried about transmitting germs from one patient to another, but the truly selfish part of me is worried about taking that crap home to the kids.

I've been married 18 years and really don't need a ring to tell everyone that I'm married, but I prefer to have a plain band than a naked finger.

[pfongk]

I wear a plain gold wedding band and that's it. I used to wear my engagement ring as well, but stopped wearing it when I started doing more patient care, and not just running meds.

[suebee60]

I read on another website that the constant putting on and taking off of medical gloves wears down the prongs on your rings. After losing 3 stones in the past few years, I believe it. I'm not wearing them to work anymore. The fact that they can harbor bacteria is another good reason not to wear them.