When did you last see a nurse wearing the old school garb?

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Cap, white stockings, and all. Do you have one?

There's an occasional jerk wherever you go. I didn't ever encounter any sexual harassment, or hear about any of my peers experiencing it, back in the "good old days" when we worked in whites and cap.

I wasn't a nurse at the time-- I was an aide, but I remember a jerk "accidentally" hooking his foot under our skirts when we lifted his legs into bed. Up went his legs and up went our skirts. We had to be very careful around him.

I also remember pumping gas on my way to work. I had my uniform on and the guy at the pump next to me saying, "Ooooo! Nursie Nursieeee!"

I loved those old uniforms, but I don't miss that ****.

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Specializes in ICU; Telephone Triage Nurse.

I had a friend who graduated in 1991, wore a cap though she didn't have to until around 1998. The newspaper did an article on her in 1994. The other nurses talked scornfully about her (behind her back) but the MD's and patients loved her. She looked both sweet, over dressed, and very professional. That's a difficult mix to pull off, but I swear she did it - and did it well.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I wasn't a nurse at the time-- I was an aide, but I remember a jerk "accidentally" hooking his foot under our skirts when we lifted his legs into bed. Up went his legs and up went our skirts. We had to be very careful around him.

I also remember pumping gas on my way to work. I had my uniform on and the guy at the pump next to me saying, "Ooooo! Nursie Nursieeee!"

I loved those old uniforms, but I don't miss that ****.

That's the kind of stuff I was referring to. And the men (it was always men) who would "accidentally" drop something on the floor and then watch you pick it up. The ones who would "accidentally" brush up against your breast as you bent to speak to them or would "oops" brush your leg.

Then there were the jerks who would catcall as you came and went from work. Riding the bus, I took a lot of t hat.

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Sometimes wearing white could make you a target. I was standing in the checkout line at the grocery store once and felt someone touch my elbow. Turned around and this creepy old guy was standing there muttering "I love nurses." I yelled "Get away from me" so loud he almost fell over backwards!

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We have one older nurse that wears her hat occasionally. Only the hat, regular scrubs otherwise. She is very crusty!!

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Specializes in Cardiac surgery, Adult ED, HEDIS.

The purpose being what? A cap that won't stay on my head, a skirt that shows my ass if I have to get down on the floor to measure chest drainage or empty a foley bag, or perform CPR. Get real! I do not need a costume to be a kind, compassionate, and very skilled nurse.

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The purpose being what? A cap that won't stay on my head, a skirt that shows my ass if I have to get down on the floor to measure chest drainage or empty a foley bag, or perform CPR. Get real! I do not need a costume to be a kind, compassionate, and very skilled nurse.

We weren't debating if a "costume" is required for kindness, compassion or skill. Just talking about the last time you saw someone wearing it.

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Specializes in Pedi; Geriatrics; office; Pedi home care..

I graduated nursing school in 1975. My first job was old school garb. Unless you worked in critical care; L & D; and OR; BUT, you had to wear your "whites" to work; then change into scrubs.

I was one of the first to wear a white pants suit uniform to work. Anyone who wore them got sent home for inappropriate uniforms. We all lost a days work as "punishment".

I think it was in the late 70s/early 80s that I saw old school garb. Thank goodness white is an option now.

(I admit that I do still wear the white support hose - in the winter time; as I don't like my legs getting cold.)

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We were not wearing costumes, rymes, we were nurses: kind, compassionate and skilled, and we knew how to act like the professionals that we were.

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Specializes in Cardiac surgery, Adult ED, HEDIS.

Glad you were, but all that garb did not make you more professional or more skilled. I just personally did not agree with the need for wearing a dress, hose & cap to do my job.:no:

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2003 at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster Tx. The same nurse was wearing scrubs in 2010.

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Ha! When i switched from wearing whites in about 92, I felt like I was wearing pajamas :)

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