Wearing skirts as a nurse

[purplescrubs15]

I was raised in a conservative Christian family, similar to Mennonites in beliefs and dress. My sisters and I weren't allowed to wear pants except for playing outside in winter, etc. Last year I became a CNA and my parents made me wear a scrub skirt instead of pants for clinical. It was awful and embarrassing, it looked really awkward because I had to wear dark nylons with it, I looked so old-fashioned and it was nearly impossible to do things that included squatting in a way that wouldn't give everyone a view up my legs! I was very uncomfortable with it, but my parents didn't care. At the very end of clinical I couldn't take it anymore and just bought some scrub pants, which my parents were really mad about when they found out.

I am 18 now, and although my faith is important to me I don't believe that it's necessary for women to wear skirts only. I think that there are times when it is way more appropriate to be wearing pants, particularly in this kind of job. I do love skirts, but not when it's impractical. I will be starting my nursing clinical in a few months and have decided that I will not wear skirts for it.

I have reiterated many times to my parents about why I wanted to wear pants as a CNA, including that I'd rather have my legs completely covered and not with extra fabric swishing around to get gross stuff on it (urine, blood, nasty stuff in general) and I like being able to squatg down to do things like put Teds on a patient or put briefs on them, without twisting around in uncomfortable positions in order to keep my underwear from showing! I don't want to kill my back, which is what will happen if I keep on doing that. I also really hate the "sexy nurse in a dress" stereotype- it makes me cringe!- and that's all I think of when I think of a nurse in a dress. During clinical, people would also comment on how "cute" my skirt was, and it bothered me because I don't want to be seen as cute, I want to be seen as professional. I also just want to do my job comfortably, and not look old-fashioned. I also live in New England and it gets so cold in the winter!

Anyway... I know that firmly deciding that I will be wearing pants during nursing school (and later on as a nurse) is not going to go over well with my parents. I have a feeling like they might even tell me I can't live at home anymore unless I wear skirts (I'm 18). I really respect their belief but it's just not what I believe. Has anyone gone through a similar situation or can give some advice? I would just like for them to accept how I feel about it and respect my decision without causing hard feelings.

[purplescrubs15]

At 18 it is hard to leave and be on your own, we think we are grown up but we do need our family-maybe you could go to work in skirt and change into scrubs at work, let you parents know this-work is work and home is home-seperate the two

This is a good suggestion as well. Thank you.

[Psychcns]

As you and others note you are in a leaving home mode. What kind of support do you need to be on your own? Dressing differently from your family is part of this..a fairly normal " coming of age" journey here. Maybe not for your parents-- their generation, their culture. The Crosby stills and Nash song "teach your children" says it well. Best wishes.

[purplescrubs15]

As you and others note you are in a leaving home mode. What kind of support do you need to be on your own? Dressing differently from your family is part of this..a fairly normal " coming of age" journey here. Maybe not for your parents-- their generation, their culture. The Crosby stills and Nash song "teach your children" says it well. Best wishes.

I'm not sure if I'm even ready to leave home yet... Honestly, I still feel like a kid sometimes even though I'm 18, in school, working a job, etc. I'm really scared of not having the support of my family and church, as they are a big part of my life and who I am. I could live on my own if I had to (definitely would have to get a second or third job, which I am working on right now anyway) but I am not sure if I'm ready for that big step yet. My parents have raised me to be independent and responsible and I don't doubt my ability to move out and live on my own... I guess I'm just a little scared and not sure if I am ready for all of that yet.

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

Just an idea I have, but I worked with a Muslim nurse who would wear a scrub dress with pants underneath. So it looked like she was wearing the dress as a top with pants. Would that be an option? She was still able to move freely and this worked out for her as she was able to maintain her modesty. She also covered her hair and wore a long sleeve top underneath as well.

[purplescrubs15]

Just an idea I have, but I worked with a Muslim nurse who would wear a scrub dress with pants underneath. So it looked like she was wearing the dress as a top with pants. Would that be an option? She was still able to move freely and this worked out for her as she was able to maintain her modesty. She also covered her hair and wore a long sleeve top underneath as well.

I have thought of wearing pants underneath a skirt... the problem with a skirt getting into stuff (blood, pee, etc.) is still there, though.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

What ever you wear in nursing you have the potential to get it covered with lots of bodily fluids-In reality most of us are able not to get covered.

Realistically the chances of you getting covered are rarer than you think

[purplescrubs15]

What ever you wear in nursing you have the potential to get it covered with lots of bodily fluids-In reality most of us are able not to get covered.

Realistically the chances of you getting covered are rarer than you think

I do realize there's always the potential to get body fluids on you... but I have experienced having my skirt brush into things that would not have gotten on me if I had been wearing pants. I wouldn't wear tops with long, flowing sleeves to work in the hospital, for the same reason. I think it's important to try and minimize potential exposure as much as I can for health and safety. I want to be an ER nurse...

[bagladyrn, RN]

Have you considered demonstrating to your parents what you are talking about? Put on a skirt, go through the motions you would use at a job: stretch across a bed as if transferring a pt. from a stretcher, squat down to the floor as if emptying a foley bag, reach way up as if to hang an IV bag, bend way down to reach under a bed to retrieve a fallen object. If you want to be really graphic, climb up on the bed if you are a short person doing compressions or (specific to OB as I am) kneeling bent over on the foot of a bed holding a fetal head off the cord while the whole thing is being pushed through the hall to the OR.

Now remind them to consider that the floor is at all times potentially contaminated with gross things.

The visual may give them a better idea of your concerns.

[purplescrubs15]

Have you considered demonstrating to your parents what you are talking about? Put on a skirt, go through the motions you would use at a job: stretch across a bed as if transferring a pt. from a stretcher, squat down to the floor as if emptying a foley bag, reach way up as if to hang an IV bag, bend way down to reach under a bed to retrieve a fallen object. If you want to be really graphic, climb up on the bed if you are a short person doing compressions or (specific to OB as I am) kneeling bent over on the foot of a bed holding a fetal head off the cord while the whole thing is being pushed through the hall to the OR.

Now remind them to consider that the floor is at all times potentially contaminated with gross things.

The visual may give them a better idea of your concerns.

That is a great idea, thank you!

[Kas Witcraft]

I’d like an update as to what you decided to do since this was 4 years ago nearly now. Honestly it just sounded like you wanted to wear pants and you were giving every excuse in the book as to why it would be better. Reality of the situation is a skirt is really no more or less material than scrub pants. If it’s rubbing the floor it’s too long and not the appropriate size so either buy a better size or have it altered to fit correctly for your profession. Women have worn nursing skirts for hundreds of years and you are the only person I’ve ever heard complain about how inconvenient and “dangerous” it is compared to scrubs. If you are wearing the correct size in a skirt or scrubs including length you should not be having any of the issues you claim could happen. It’s just not realisticly going to happen that often skirt or pants.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

On 9/22/2015 at 9:07 PM, Shagce1 said:

How about some variety of skort or culottes (sp?)? Look almost skirt like but coverage like a pant??

I keep thinking that an 18 year old who doesn't wish to wear skirts shouldn't wear skirts. If she wants to wear pants, and she's ready to take the consequences for disagreeing with her parents, more power to her!