What is the point of a uniform?

Nurses General Nursing

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I don't understand what the point is. Many nurses wear scrubs, whites, pants with polos, all colors, patterns, prints, animals, cartoon animals, many styles. Many nurses wear their personal jackets or sweat shirts over their tops. Why should we have to wear a uniform if some nurses even wear sweat pants???

I'm not understanding the question. The op is describing uniforms to me. What people where to work is their uniform.

We used to be allowed to wear t-shirts with our hospital logo on them. In fact every year for nuses week we got a new one.

I used to wear polo shirts and white pants (not scrubs). Looked neat and professional in my opinion. Neater than scrubs. But now I wear scrubs in various solid colors, no drawings, flowers or cartoons.

Sweat pants are unattractive at the least and unprofessional looking. Fortunately I haven't seen anyone wearing those, or jeans.

We have a semi-strict uniform code, things like jeans, sweat pants, t-shirts, long sleeves under scrubs (wildly disobeyed) are not allowed.

Sorry, I will try to rephrase. Why have a dress code when nurses wear different uniforms. For example, I see nurses wear every color, pattern, print sponge bob, hello kitty, etc... The term uniform means uniformity and should we or should we not all wear the same color of scrubs. Also, I see many nurses wear their own sweat shirts or sweat pants at the hospitals- these are RN's. I see the most disgusting shoes (filmed with every body fluid known to man). I see ripped clothes and stained. If we are to act and get paid as professionals we should dress the part. I think it is very unprofessional when i see see rips and stains (big ones on clothing). I believe we should all wear one color one style. What does everyone else think??

Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.

I think this sounds a lot like a student-type post. This may even be a way to get input for a class project.

Regardless, it's hard for me to believe a student wouldn't have more pressing concerns to ponder about the profession. Perhaps if you look beyond the exterior, you'll find that some of those nurses wearing "Sponge Bob" scrubs will be the ones that you want to have your back during a code, and that others who dress more conservatively look good on the outside but can't perform. (No, I don't think people should go to work looking like slobs, FWIW.)

Please try not to be so hard on those of us who are nurses. It's nice to have some ideals as a student, but being harsh and judgemental toward people who will be your future colleagues if you graduate is not very professional either.

Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.
I too am not quite clear on the op's question . . .scrubs ARE uniforms.

I don't understand not being allowed to wear a t-shirt under a scrub top. Men wear t-shirts under dress shirts. And it is COLD up here in the mountains and scrub tops are not very warm. Plus, some men need to cover up their chest hair (another old thread;)) and women need to cover up their cleavage (again, another old thread;)). It is unprofessional to lean over and have your cleavage showing . . . .

We have a dress code - sort of. We all wear what we want. I favor navy blue or other shades of dark blue. I don't like cartoon scrubs. I do wear Hawaiian prints at times. I just bought a new pair of scrub pants and a new scrub jacket in blue - the scrub jacket is big and long to cover up my tush/thighs. :uhoh21:

I always introduce myself as the RN . . .and my badge says RN.

Tweety - our hospital bought polo shirts with our logo and we can wear those.

steph

I wear a long-sleeved t-shirt under my scrub tops/jackets. I never imagined that that would make me a slovenly nurse. I don't do the gaudy scrubs either. Honestly, I couldn't care less about cartoon scrubs, as long as they're clean.

Specializes in OB.

Or we could all go back to wearing white so we could look like the school lunch ladies!

at least we can bleach white!!!!!!!!

Specializes in LTC, med-surg, critial care.
Sorry, I will try to rephrase. Why have a dress code when nurses wear different uniforms. For example, I see nurses wear every color, pattern, print sponge bob, hello kitty, etc... The term uniform means uniformity and should we or should we not all wear the same color of scrubs. Also, I see many nurses wear their own sweat shirts or sweat pants at the hospitals- these are RN's. I see the most disgusting shoes (filmed with every body fluid known to man). I see ripped clothes and stained. If we are to act and get paid as professionals we should dress the part. I think it is very unprofessional when i see see rips and stains (big ones on clothing). I believe we should all wear one color one style. What does everyone else think??

If there's a problem with ripped/stained/worn scrubs and dirty shoes take it up with the nurse manager, maybe they aren't catching things. Or, if you're really ballsy, tell them yourself that they are breaking dress code and look unprofessional.

Same color scrubs? Not for me but I know there are others that advocate it. Scrubs are a part of the uniform and so is the badge that says LVN or RN on it. Introduce yourself every time as a nurse.

If you do a search there are countless threads regarding professionalism, dress code, all white vs colors, shoes, fake fingernails, big hair, too much makeup...have I missed anything? This question is asked many times (in many forms) and finding an answer that everyone agrees on hasn't happened yet.

Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.

The OP cannot take this matter up with his/her manager because the OP is still a nursing student.

Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

I like the color coordinated, because it does make it easy to tell people apart.

If there's a problem with ripped/stained/worn scrubs and dirty shoes take it up with the nurse manager, maybe they aren't catching things. Or, if you're really ballsy, tell them yourself that they are breaking dress code and look unprofessional.

Same color scrubs? Not for me but I know there are others that advocate it. Scrubs are a part of the uniform and so is the badge that says LVN or RN on it. Introduce yourself every time as a nurse.

If you do a search there are countless threads regarding professionalism, dress code, all white vs colors, shoes, fake fingernails, big hair, too much makeup...have I missed anything? This question is asked many times (in many forms) and finding an answer that everyone agrees on hasn't happened yet.

I agree - dirty, ripped, stained, sweat pants, are a different issue than same color "uniform".

You aren't going to find consensus on uniforms . . . as evidenced just by this thread. There are many others that say the same thing.

I don't want to wear a uniform that everyone else has on.

steph

Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

In nursing school uniforms were strict and you could be sent home if there was an infraction!

I have worked in places with uniforms and typically with my experience with geriatrics...it doesn't really matter, they will know you by name and face if they know you at all...and it is all in the repetitive introduction till remembered or not!

Me, not a fan of uniforms for nurses because it seems anyone can wear scrubs of any certain color and still get confused for another staff! So I make sure the patient KNOWS I am their nurse, repeat my name a few times..and quiz them on who to call for medical help before I leave that first meet (other times as needed).

Plus I am smiley and funny...they typically remember right away who their nurse is for the shift...and request me by name after :)!

It's a good point to differentiate between "uniform" versus "dress code" just so that everyone is talking about the same thing.

Most places have some kind of dress code - things you can and can't wear to work.

Some places have a uniform - a set outfit that everyone wears, as in "uniformity."

Usually, in these discussions we're talking about whether or not floor nurses should have to wear uniforms. There are many reasons to want to or not want to wear a uniform. There are many reasons a hospital may want to or not want to implement a uniform policy.

I think it's a worthwhile discussion and while it's been discussed before, there are always new members on the site and people sometimes change their minds as well.

Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Education.

I don't want to wear a uniform that everyone else has on.

This statement made me smile because it sounds like an oxymoron. The word "uniform" indicates sameness, doesn't it? :rolleyes:

Sorry Steph, I couldn't help it!

This statement made me smile because it sounds like an oxymoron. The word "uniform" indicates sameness, doesn't it? :rolleyes:

Sorry Steph, I couldn't help it!

Yep, you're right . . . . I don't want to wear the same "scrubs" everyone else has on. :monkeydance:

As an example, I found this really nice tropical scrub top - not cotton, some really soft material. I liked the pattern alot. I get compliments on it when I wear it. A few weeks ago I saw another person with the same pattern as MY (:rolleyes:) scrub top. I haven't worn it since.

Silly . . . . . :mad:

steph

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