What kind of scrubs do you wear in LTC?

[calidonrnstudent, BSN, RN]

I am buying some new scrubs and I am torn on what to wear. I own both prints and solids, but I have recently been reading more about prints being unprofessional. In my opinon, in LTC prints are a conversation piece. I will have some residents who never say anything and then out of no where will say I used to have a cat (because I have cats on my shirt) and then I can have a conversation with them about there cat and you can see how happy it made them. So I am lean towards prints but would like some other peoples opinions. Thanks! =)

[BacktotheBeach, ADN, BSN, RN]

I agree, I think the LTC clients absolutely love seeing interesting, fun and different print scrub tops.

[Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN]

I usually wear prints and the ladies love my scrub tops. They like flowery designs. I worked the day before Easter and I found a top with Easter bunnies.. that was a hit lol.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

The LTC I worked in color-coded nurses (sky blue tops and white or sky blue bottoms) and aides (Caribbean blue), but we could wear whatever we wanted on Fridays.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

When I worked the floor, the residents on my wing would wait to see what I was wearing every day. I sewed and had a scrub for every occasion. They didn't want to see us in whites since it wasn't a hospital. With the advent of culture change and making things as home like as possible, I wouldn't be surprised to see us all wearing street clothes to work every day.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

We still wear whites. I wear print jackets.

As long as I'm dealing with bodily fluids I want stuff I can launder daily.

[prinsessa]

We have to wear a white uniform. I'm always a little nervous during that time of the month lol. I don't really like the uniform since I feel like we all look like maids. The top isn't even a scrub top. I'm not complaining too much because I'm just happy to have a job!

[hotflashion, BSN, RN]

Boy, I really would not like to wear white.

I, too, think that solid colors are more professional but would make an exception for pediatrics. I just got a job in a rest home and while shopping for scrubs, I pondered the solid color pledge I made to myself. I decided I was working in someone's home, should dress more casually, and wear print tops.

[AmericanRN]

I'm in an LTC/skilled rehab. The skilled side are quite a fashionable bunch and do make make comments daily on what all their nurses have on. They appear to like these two tops I have that are designed to look more like a blouse then a scrub top. Most of them are from an era that scrubs = sloppy looking in their opinion. The few solid tops I have are bright but not garish the residents said they like the aqua and lavendar ones the best. I try to contrast a bright top with black pants so that I still look professional and not like a cartoon character. Another nurse on the LTC side has a burgandy top with black flowers on it and the residents love that top. I always overhear them asking her to wear that more often. I think it's easier for them to make out brighter colors and print tops. No male resident has ever made a comment on a preference in print vs solid far as I know.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Well, as I said, we all wear whites but my ladies love the floral jackets especially.

I did once have a visitor come in when I was in a white scrub dress and white hose say, "You're obviously the nurse here." I get a lot of positive feedback on white, I must say. Esp. with a geriatric cohort.

[Leelee2]

Currently anything goes. Solids, or print scrubs. It is my experience in LTC that the resident's really enjoy the different prints. My facility wants to go with white pants for all nurses, so that the residents can easily identify the nurse. I can understand that, because right now many can not distinguish between dietary staff and nursing staff.

[yousoldtheworld]

I work in an LTC pediatric facility, and we can wear any scrubs we like, but I have found the kids really seem to like the prints. Bright colors, cartoon characters, animals, etc. I also wore mostly prints when I worked in geriatrics. Since we are now trying to make LTC facilities as homelike and cheerful as possible, I think prints are great.

However, I do prefer solid colors in a hospital setting!