What does everyone wear?

Specialties School

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Hey everyone! I'm starting as a school nurse for a middle school and high school next Monday. I am the only nurse in the district. I was told the previous nurse (position has been vacant for a year) would wear scrubs sometimes and sometimes business casual, more like a teacher. Both are acceptable, apparently. 

What does everyone wear? I don't have set guidelines. Help! 

Specializes in retired LTC.

Are scrubs tax-deductible?

Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.
33 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

Are scrubs tax-deductible?

I don't believe any work-related expenses such as attire, shoes, etc. are any longer under federal law. Not to get political but..... Thanks, Trump!

2 Votes
Specializes in pediatrics, School LVN.

In my district all the cafeteria staff wear scrubs, so when I first started I wore street clothes with a lab coat to identify as working in the health office. I've been doing this 4 years now. The staff at all the sites recognize me, so I ditched the lab coat. I still wear street clothes, occasionally business casual, but mostly jeans and a blouse or sweater. On Fridays I wear one of the "school LVN" tee shirts that I have made for myself.

1 Votes
Specializes in retired LTC.

I KNOOOOOW the reasonings & logic for nurses' wearing their scrubs. But nurses existed waaaaay long before scrubs became so popular for EVERYYONE.

I think even us old-timers understand the convenience. But there was something about wearing our 'whites' that was empowering and respected.

I guess that I resent nurses dressing like prisoners - that's the image scrubs impart to me. Sorry - not professional. 

So I cheer when nurses opt to eschew scrubs and wear street clothes with a lab coat. 

When I started school nursing we had a number of mandatory state trainings.  At these trainings they advised us to wear the business casual attire that the office staff wore.  This was partially to help us be thought of, and respected as, administrative leaders and policy makers (and not just 'ice pushers').  That being said, when we returned to school after lockdown, we were told to wear scrubs.  For a while we were also wearing disposable gowns but they got lost along the way.  I like scrubs so I'm fine with wearing them  Easier to pick out in AM, and easy to identify as medical professional.

 

1 Votes
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
On 2/28/2022 at 6:49 PM, amoLucia said:

 

I guess that I resent nurses dressing like prisoners - that's the image scrubs impart to me.

 

I think it's apropos... at least until we settle our contract over here!!?

1 Votes
Specializes in retired LTC.

That TV image of OJ Simpson entering court in navy scrubs said it all to me. He could have been ANYONE entering court - but we all can identify OJ.

It was the handcuffs that were 'what was wrong with that picture'.

To me, nurses in scrubs are middle class 'blue collar'.   JMHO

Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.
39 minutes ago, amoLucia said:

To me, nurses in scrubs are middle class 'blue collar'.   JMHO

I hear that sentiment, but what is wrong with being a "blue collar" worker? I would argue that blue collar workers are the hardest working individuals in the world, and they are what really makes this world go around, and they are just as deserving of respect as anyone else, if not more. 

I proudly wear scrubs. Maybe the lesson here should be that we focus less on valuing an individual based on their appearances in general. If you wear scrubs to work as a school nurse good for you. If you wear jeans and a t-shirt, good for you. If you wear business casual, good for you. We're all nurses, we all passed the same exam. Why does what we wear mean we deserve less respect?

4 Votes
Specializes in Med-Surg, Oncology, School Nursing, OB.

This past school year we had so many spirit days with special t shirts all staff was to wear that  I gave up scrub tops and wore tshirts with my scrub pants. Then we had a month of staff wearing jeans so I did as well.

I've never liked scrub tops as they are either too bulky like I'm wearing a potato sack or tight showing every roll and not very breathable to me. I sweat in the polyester "moisturizer wicking"!  Then the pants never fit me well because I'm tall but not tall enough for the tall ones etc. and baggy in my rear but tight on my waist so I'm going business casual this year. Our cooks wear scrubs so I don't feel extra professional with them anymore. We have some nurses who look adorable in scrubs and I'm jealous they can rock it but I am happy to get rid of them! I also won't feel self conscious going to a store after work now either. 
 

I say wear what makes u happiest if you're allowed!

Specializes in School Nurse.

On days I've got parent meetings (IEP,  IHP, IDP) I go for business casual.   Days I'm in the trenches and not expecting any such, I have scrubs.

1 Votes

Love my scrubs.  Easy, comfortable, and easy for teachers and kiddos to identify my as a health professional.

 

 

1 Votes
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