Wearing scrubs at the gym??

Gradius · Nov 27, 2012

I went to the gym today and saw a male nurse lifting in his scrubs. I was a little bothered by it because I would think it would be unsanitary for someone to be working out in their hospital uniform, so I approached him and this is what I said:
me: excuse me, wouldn't it be unsanitary to wear that working out?
him: oh they're clean. who are you?
me: oh, I'm just a student
After I tell him this he kind of chuckles and rolls his eyes and goes on with his work out.
Besides being rude, do you think this was wrong? How would another gym go-er know that it is clean if he did not tell them? For all I know it could have MRSA or some other pathogen he came into contact with. I realize people go in their uniforms to subway or whatever restaurant to eat, but this is the gym - where I'm lying down on the same bench as him. Am i overreacting or was this unprofessional of him?

I'm actually with you on this one. On the contrary though, germs are everywhere. Including Subway. But I'm still with you on this one.

amoLucia · Nov 27, 2012

How did you know that he was a nurse?? An ID badge/tag? Was he going or coming from work as that would dictate the cleanliness of his scrubs?

Just fyi - anybody can wear scrubs, so it seems rather presumptuous of you to have approached him re his clothing.

I remember a few years ago, I loved wearing the old grey beat up OR scrub gowns as casual wear . Didn't wear them for work, just casually. Wore them everywhere - they were so comfortable.

How many of us stop off at the grocery or elsewhere before and/or after work in our work clothes. Are we any different that that guy??? I know if I had some obvious yuckkies on me, I couldn't wait to get home to disrobe. Many times you don't even know that you've got a stain until someone at work points it out to you.

And by the way - I don't think he was rude as you describe him. He's probably just laughing to himself and thinking "just wait and see 'til YOU start working!"

Bringonthenight · Nov 27, 2012

Umm you were the rude one. Who approaches a stranger and comments on their outfit in a negative way!

Your the Regina George of nursing students!

Cllaws889, BSN · Nov 27, 2012

I think that it was completely appropriate for you to ask him about that. Just because someone is wearing scrubs doesn't mean that they would be a nurse or involved in any medical profession though. Being over cautious is way more beneficial than not at all so I do commend you for that. I don't condemn you at all for your actions but realize that some people do wear scrubs out in public. To me I think it's inappropriate wearing scrubs in public places outside of work because of sanitation complications (animals aren't allowed in hospitals but it doesn't matter if you pet fido before leaving your house does it?) Just my two cents. Also keep being sharp, always be concerned for others well being, I've seen too many nurses burnt out and careless of protocols and common sense quite frankly. Keep frosty my friend and you'll do just fine.

phieud · Nov 27, 2012

I know he is a nurse because he wears the same scrubs that I see when I go to that hospital (I'm an EMT). Like you said, you've had some obvious yuckkies on you and sometimes are unaware of stains left behind, so how would I know if the ones he was wearing were clean? He could have just gotten off work and gone straight to the gym in those. I do not mind seeing a hospital worker going to the grocery market or whatever after their shift was over, but going to the gym and lying down on the same bench where I would be lying is a different story.

Rhi007 · Nov 27, 2012

A slight over reaction, if you are that concerned stash tuffies in your gym bag and wipe the bench down before use. You can still be a Carrier of MRSA because of your nose. Do you cover your sneezes and then touch something without washing your hands?

Jim-El · Nov 29, 2012

Unfortunately if you're that big of a germaphobe, a public gym probably isn't the place for you to begin with. You can either be content by wiping off the equipment before using it, or just get some workout equipment at home so you know where it's been and who's been in contact with it. I wouldn't have approached the guy, but I'm also very non confrontational. :3

FormerLawyer · Nov 29, 2012

I wore scrubs when I worked as a direct care worker because they were comfy. DCW is basically in home help, and I also PJS, short skirts and heels, basically, whatever I wanted. And if someone would have come up to me and said what you did, I would have laughed at you. Maybe not to your face, but it would have happened. You may be concerned about the health aspect, but it's so presumptuous to do something like this, not knowing the full situation. Those might have been his work out scrubs! That might be how he gets ladies at the gym to look at him, all macho and caring, and conjuring images of him taking the temperatures of sick kids and offering them Popsicles. And scrubs are designed to hide a variety of physical sins, most people look pretty hot in them, just saying.

puroticorico, MSN, CNA, RN · Dec 5, 2012

Pretty much anyone can buy scrubs. They are like PJs now-a-days. The guy working out may have not been a medical professional at all. If he just uses them to work out, good for him. I just hope he wouldn't go to the gym right after leaving the hospital due to infections like MRSA. To be on his side, I'm sure he washed them--who would want to get all sweaty...and continue using them.

commonsense · Dec 8, 2012

I went to the gym today and saw a male nurse lifting in his scrubs. I was a little bothered by it because I would think it would be unsanitary for someone to be working out in their hospital uniform, so I approached him and this is what I said:
me: excuse me, wouldn't it be unsanitary to wear that working out?
him: oh they're clean. who are you?
me: oh, I'm just a student
After I tell him this he kind of chuckles and rolls his eyes and goes on with his work out.
Besides being rude, do you think this was wrong? How would another gym go-er know that it is clean if he did not tell them? For all I know it could have MRSA or some other pathogen he came into contact with. I realize people go in their uniforms to subway or whatever restaurant to eat, but this is the gym - where I'm lying down on the same bench as him. Am i overreacting or was this unprofessional of him?

You're probably overreacting, I wear my scrubs everywhere, including on dates, maybe that's why I don't get too many second dates.

BCRNA · Dec 9, 2012

I agree with you. It is inappropriate to wear scrubs in the gym. Bacteria is everywhere, but a nurse in scrubs has a higher chance of having nasty bugs. If nothing else, does the guy just leave the gym without showering and go to work? That is even worse. If he doesn't break a sweat then he isn't working out. If he gets all sweaty and then goes to work then he must have real low standards for personal hygiene. I am a body builder, I have never seen a guy work out in scrubs. I have known some people to wear scrubs who weren't medical professionals, but I would tell them it looked bad in the gym.