This is a bit of a frivolous question, but I'm curious to know what people think (especially RNs) about wearing white, especially white dresses? I bought a number of old US Army Nurse Corps dresses on Ebay -- I like the way they look, and they're very comfortable. I also received a few compliments from people, especially elderly patients, who said that I "look like a nurse." However, some of my classmates (I'm in a BN accelerated program) think I'm nuts -- I'm the only one who dresses like this ("old fashioned," I suppose, with my white hose and white NurseMates shoes) as everyone else appears to copy the "ER" look with scrubs. Just curious to know if I'll be laughed off the unit when I begin working as an RN (hopefully in the US of A in the summer of 2005!) by my colleagues.
No offense to the people who wear scrubs, but they're just not for me, and I like the fact that I'll probably be identified as a nurse (as opposed to RRT, porter, or whomever else) because I'll be wearing a white dress. Besides, vomit, blood, fecal matter can always be bleached out, true?
I worked several years ago at a Catholic hospital ran by nuns and they required us to wear all white, not even color print jackets. At first I hated it, but I have to admit it did look clean and professional and the patients loved it. BTW..poop or vomit looks awful on all colors, even my blue scrubs and white does bleach out nicely. Now I wear colored scrubs, but acutally miss the white stuff (not the dresses!). Occasionally I will wear white pants with a colored print scrub top. I do wear white nursing shoes, as the running shoes just didn't fit my feet right. Don't get me started on nurses who wear dirty, worn shoes....Kim
This is a bit of a frivolous question, but I'm curious to know what people think (especially RNs) about wearing white, especially white dresses? I bought a number of old US Army Nurse Corps dresses on Ebay -- I like the way they look, and they're very comfortable. I also received a few compliments from people, especially elderly patients, who said that I "look like a nurse." However, some of my classmates (I'm in a BN accelerated program) think I'm nuts -- I'm the only one who dresses like this ("old fashioned," I suppose, with my white hose and white NurseMates shoes) as everyone else appears to copy the "ER" look with scrubs. Just curious to know if I'll be laughed off the unit when I begin working as an RN (hopefully in the US of A in the summer of 2005!) by my colleagues.
No offense to the people who wear scrubs, but they're just not for me, and I like the fact that I'll probably be identified as a nurse (as opposed to RRT, porter, or whomever else) because I'll be wearing a white dress. Besides, vomit, blood, fecal matter can always be bleached out, true?
Anyone else wearing white these days?
Whites are difficult to keep clean as reiterated by everyone so far, RNBN2B. You wear what you want to wear, and what makes you look and feel good. I'm sure you look sharp in your whites. When you have a dying pt looking up at you frankly they don't care what you're wearing only that you know enough to save their lives. Quit listening to other people most of the time they're wrong anyway. Maybe you just make them jealous because you look so good in white. Being a guy, I love a woman in white especially if she's got a good tan - of course January isn't going to help you there. RNBN2B you're a soon to be nurse be very proud of that.
That gave me a good laugh Renee!:roll Unfortunately most of the men I come into contact with are new fathers, so I don't think I want any of them looking at my butt.
.....................................the real way to differentiate ourselves as RN's is to BEHAVE AS SUCH and INTRODUCE OURSELVES AS SUCH....cause as that good point shows, you never know who is who anymore............................
That gave me a good laugh Renee!:roll Unfortunately most of the men I come into contact with are new fathers, so I don't think I want any of them looking at my butt.
:chuckle :chuckle Glad to be of help, fergus51!
Can't say I would want any new daddy's checking out my azz either, but some looks are better than no looks at our age, don't ya think? :rotfl: I walk by my husband ten times in a row to get his attention, and it's like he is blind or something. I say to him, Can't you see that I'm trying to get your attention? He replies with a grunt, and a "Yeah, I see you. Now get out of the way now. Can't you see that I'm watching Columbo....or Beverly Hillbillies...or General P...?" :chuckle
In the hospital where I work they are gradually doing away with print scrubs and such because of customer/patient response on not knowing who the RNs are because everybody looks the same.
So the emergency department RNs wear solid blue scrubs and OR nurses wear green and so on. Frankly, I think they look great and patients seem to appreciate that better. They don't get confused between CNAs, housekeeping with RNs!
It also seems to uphold higher standards for the nurse because it LOOKS more professional, neat...just like everybody is saying what a nurse should look in appearance. I agree about the white dresses getting splashed and how difficult it would be to keep it "clean" but I also believe in keeping up the standards of the nurse, (of course first and foremost, taking care of patients being a priority) but also being presentable such as looking crisp, tidy, professional, etc. After all, some nurses feel they don't get much respect from some patients, but it seems when they are and look presentable, they are treated well...(patient poll of the hospital).
The nurses then perform better and are more confident with their career as professional=better working environment, best care for patients! What you wear does wonders to your attitude in anything you do so it is important:kiss
This is a bit of a frivolous question, but I'm curious to know what people think (especially RNs) about wearing white, especially white dresses? I bought a number of old US Army Nurse Corps dresses on Ebay -- I like the way they look, and they're very comfortable. I also received a few compliments from people, especially elderly patients, who said that I "look like a nurse." However, some of my classmates (I'm in a BN accelerated program) think I'm nuts -- I'm the only one who dresses like this ("old fashioned," I suppose, with my white hose and white NurseMates shoes) as everyone else appears to copy the "ER" look with scrubs. Just curious to know if I'll be laughed off the unit when I begin working as an RN (hopefully in the US of A in the summer of 2005!) by my colleagues.
No offense to the people who wear scrubs, but they're just not for me, and I like the fact that I'll probably be identified as a nurse (as opposed to RRT, porter, or whomever else) because I'll be wearing a white dress. Besides, vomit, blood, fecal matter can always be bleached out, true?
Anyone else wearing white these days?
I come from the era that you had to wear dress white uniforms, white stiockings and a cap or not be allowed to work. It was oppressive and too expensive. My 28 years of practice tell me you are calling attention to yourself in an extremely disrespectful way. Not only do you look rediciulous, the other nurses will shun you. You would be the last person I would cover patients while you are off the floor. Wearing a military uniform and not a sworn officer is impersonation. If I were your instructor, You would be sent home.
Our nursing program requires us to wear white uniforms. It took a lot for me to don the uniform on that first clinical day! On the way out the door, my 12 year old asked me, "Are you really going to go out in that??" The top I can live with, but the white pants are a stretch for me. We received special instructions not to wear flashy underwear because you can practically see through them.
Only one more semester and we can switch to purple pants. I kinda like the white dress idea, though. Very retro. But our hospital supplies scrubs and I hope to be working there one day for real pay wearing those real scrubs.
We also wear white nursing student uniforms. Everyone in the nursing program despises them and we are planning a uniform burning ceremony after graduation. However, the patients and the other nurses/hospital staff...say we look very professional. Some people have gone so far as to say that we look "adorable".
The uniforms are unisex, so they are not flattering at all. They make you look 30 lbs heavier due to the shape of them (and color). I had mine altered so it doesn't look so straight-up-and-down!
The only sin about all white is seeing your panty lines and bra outline.stopped wearing all white real fast after working in jail and prison-all men:chuckle
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
This topic comes up from time to time. When I was a student nurse, we wore blue dresses. I couldn't wait to graduate and wear a white dress. To me, the white dress, cap and shoes symbolized all the reasons I went into nursing and all that I used to love about being a nurse. Well, the years passed and the bloom fell off the rose in terms of my passion for hospital nursing. Plus I discovered how much more practical and comfortable I found scrubs to be. I wear street clothes in my job now, but I can understand the attraction wearing the white dress still holds for many nurses. I'm just not one of them!
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
Another thing I meant to add is that wearing scrubs isn't copying the ER look. The ER look is based on what's typically worn in hospitals. We were wearing scrubs when I left hospital nursing over twelve years ago, and ER hadn't even come on the air yet.
However, the patients and the other nurses/hospital staff...say we look very professional. Some people have gone so far as to say that we look "adorable".
henrysmom
19 Posts
I worked several years ago at a Catholic hospital ran by nuns and they required us to wear all white, not even color print jackets. At first I hated it, but I have to admit it did look clean and professional and the patients loved it. BTW..poop or vomit looks awful on all colors, even my blue scrubs and white does bleach out nicely. Now I wear colored scrubs, but acutally miss the white stuff (not the dresses!). Occasionally I will wear white pants with a colored print scrub top. I do wear white nursing shoes, as the running shoes just didn't fit my feet right. Don't get me started on nurses who wear dirty, worn shoes....Kim