What do you think?

[NurseAngie]

What's your take on wearing your uniform while you are attending to personal business outside of work...say to Wal-Mart, the local steakhouse, whatever? I think it's gross to trek around in your uniform to the store after you've been taking care of sick patients because of all the nasty things you might have been exposed to on the job. I see a lot of that here. Maybe they think they look cute or something. We were out to dinner at the Olive Garden and right across from us sat a nurse in what looked to be a blood-stained scrub uniform! UGH:rolleyes: I know convenience is probably the biggest reason that I see so much of this. It's just icky!

Happy Nursing~Angie

[live4today, RN]

That's basically it in a nutshell, Nurse Angie.......it's all about convenience. I've often stopped at the store after work to pick up a few items for the fridge before going home after work, but I have never liked eating in my uniform once I've worked with patients all day. Now......that IS gross! :)

[NurseAngie]

Originally posted by cheerfuldoer

I have never liked eating in my uniform once I've worked with patients all day. Now......that IS gross! :) [/b]

Hey, I agree with ya! That is pretty gross:D ESPECIALLY a bloody one:p !!!!

Happy Nursing~Angie

[thisnurse]

i wouldnt go ANYWHERE with body fluids on me..of any kind.

i do stop at the store on my way home...saves me a trip later...and i have gone out to breakfast after work. i guess im gross...lol

[micro, RN]

yet another reason that I say that the agency, organization, hospital should provide scrubs and allow us to come in in our street clothes, shower and change into the drab scrubs of the day.........then we never wear a uniform outside of work ever........

and what better way to ward off infection, than of course the proverbial wash ya' hands till they bleed.......

and hey

you should see the new suction coming out....can't wait but that is a whole 'nother thread.......

micro

[Sleepyeyes]

Hmph! Yet another reason why Wal-Mart should have a drive-thru window....

[RNinICU]

Our hospital does supply scrubs for us to change. I can go to breakfast or Walmart after work without being gross. I would probably take scrubs with me and change any way, even if the hospital didn't provide them. I just hate the thought of wearing them outside o the hospital.

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

Sometimes I make quick stops after work in my scrubs also. I don't go out to eat in them though! That's gross!

Heather

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

On another note, I think it's just as unsafe to stop places before work in your uniform. You're picking things up that you take into work to your patients.

The whole thing is an excellent argument as to why the work place should be providing our scrubs.

Heather

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

I guess I'm as gross as thisnurse. I have gone out to bkft after working nights too. BUT, if my uniform had blood/body fluids on it, I would change immediately, even if I still had to finish my shift.

I don't get too yuked up in homecare. So, I don't feel as gross going out to the supermarket in my uniform. But I am also a handwashing fanatic, so I am very careful in that way.

But as far as it looking gross, how do you know that the guy in front of you at the grocery store wasn't unclogging a toilet before he shopped, or someone else didn't wash their hands after using the BR? Just as gross what you can't see!

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

Originally posted by hoolahan

But as far as it looking gross, how do you know that the guy in front of you at the grocery store wasn't unclogging a toilet before he shopped, or someone else didn't wash their hands after using the BR? Just as gross what you can't see!

Very true hoolihan! I can tell you several times I made a quick trip to the store in "civilian" attire that I was sure funkier and dirtier and a bigger public health risk than I would ever have been in work clothes!

Heather

[hoolahan, ASN, RN]

:chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

So true Heather, my son likes to call that "Musky!"