When is it appropriate to wear scrubs?

[drd18, BSN, RN]

Hi all,

A little background for you. I work in an occupational health office within a hospital. We deal with only employees, volunteers, contractors, etc. I work front desk, but my job title is a "specialist" so I'm doing all kinds of random things all over the office. I dress business casual, and we have two nurses who go back and forth between scrubs and business casual. They have started making comments to me that I should wear scrubs since it is easier and comfortable, but I'm so on the fence about it. I've read many mixed feelings on this site about non-clinical people in scrubs.

I guess my thoughts on it are:

-We are having a CRAZY flu outbreak at the hospital. Sick employees are coming in constantly, we deal with many TB exposures in our office, etc. I know I am being exposed to all of this, and I am so guilty of going out after work in my clothes without thinking about it or wearing my pants more than once (aren't we all). I know if I wear scrubs they will be easier to launder, *generally* cheaper/easier to buy than business clothing, and will be a great reminder to go home and change after work before doing anything else.

However, I am a soon to be nursing student and really don't want to rub anyone the wrong way in this hospital and tarnish any future job connections. Because we are not a critical area, there won't be any family members running up to me needing something urgent and mistaking me for a nurse (this seems to be one of the biggest concerns). We are closer to being our own little primary care office, and because we are such a small team mostly everyone in the hospital knows each of our roles in this office.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Why or why shouldn't someone in my position wear scrubs?

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

I'm not clinical and wear scrubs. I'm still an RN and even occasionally end up working in an OR, particularly in emergent situations. Also much faster if I'm already in scrubs than to have me scramble and change when the trauma is already rolling in the door. And much easier on the budget too!

[Buckeye.nurse]

My only thought is to stay away from solid navy blue scrubs. This is the mandated scrub color for RNs in several states (including mine). Scrubs in black or tan are definitely safe. Hospitals in my area use those colors for supply coordinators, unit clerks, and patient transporters. I understand where you are coming from completely. I love how comfy scrubs are, and they wash really well!

[drd18, BSN, RN]

My only thought is to stay away from solid navy blue scrubs. This is the mandated scrub color for RNs in several states (including mine). Scrubs in black or tan are definitely safe. Hospitals in my area use those colors for supply coordinators, unit clerks, and patient transporters. I understand where you are coming from completely. I love how comfy scrubs are, and they wash really well!

That's a great point, thanks for your feedback!

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

My only thought is to stay away from solid navy blue scrubs. This is the mandated scrub color for RNs in several states (including mine). Scrubs in black or tan are definitely safe. Hospitals in my area use those colors for supply coordinators, unit clerks, and patient transporters. I understand where you are coming from completely. I love how comfy scrubs are, and they wash really well!

There is no state that mandates what color scrubs an RN wears. There are several employers that do. Yes, navy is a popular color, but it is not the only color worn by RNs in various facilities. As long as OP's employer doesn't have a color code, he or she can wear whatever color desired.

[LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN]

I work in public health in an array of of settings. I am clinical, but I wear business casual because that is the expectation of my setting. I keep a spare outfit in my car. I keep the business casual comfortable for the movements likely to be performed in my job description and shop sales for pieces that I feel comfortable disposing of instead of laundering if my day heads south body-fluid wise.

I do not re-wear clothing, I get home and change and throw my stuff in the hamper, same as I did with scrubs. My work shoes are also my work shoes. They do not parade through my house and they are not worn other places.

It sounds like your current co-workers in the same title are choosing scrubs for comfort. If you're trying to make an impression, dress to impress in a reasonable way.

[drd18, BSN, RN]

It sounds like your current co-workers in the same title are choosing scrubs for comfort. If you're trying to make an impression, dress to impress in a reasonable way.

Thank you for taking time to respond! You make some great points.