Why do Male Nurses Complain about Scrub Color & other Inconsequential Issues?

sst73 · Apr 1, 2008

I have noticed some male nurses complain about the color of scrubs, candleholding, the term 'nurse' when applied to men & so on. Why are these important? The people they are caring for have cancer, heart dz, renal dz, special needs children,-the color of scrubs should be of no consequence. Some even called it 'discrimination', what a stretch! If someone is uncomfortable on how the color of scrubs or the term nurse will affect their sexual identity maybe they should be wrestlers. And then they complain some women are uncomfortable with a male L&D nurse! Do women police officers want to be called wolice & bemoan they can't wear dresses on the job? No.

Here's my feelings on the issue in a nutshell. The thought of wearing pink makes me uncomfortable. Not sure why, but it does. Now, as you can imagine the last thing a person whose profession relies on stability and and projecting strength to others who need a shoulder is to feel uncomfortable or feel the fool. It will always show through to those who are looking to you, and that's the last thing they need. The two don't mix just like oil and water. The better I feel and the more comfortable I am in a situation the better I will perform in my profession and in helping calm a patient, which is what really matters.

That's why, at least for me.

JaredCNA, CNA · Jun 3, 2008

nurses are professionals, and as such we should be entitled to wear what we choose -- as long as it is neat, clean and professional. i am not a fan of employers trying to dictate what we should wear, and any man whose employer wants him to wear pink or lavender has my sympathy. i don't look good in, nor do i choose to wear pastels. and i think that when my employer started trying to dictate what color i should wear to work would be the day my resumes go out!

i understand what you are saying. we have uniforms at the hospital where i work that we started wearing the 1st of this year. it is awful.

the nurses (rn/lvn) have a choice between blue or maroon scurbs...i do not see the point of differentiating between rn/lvn based on scrub color because lvns with experience may work in the icu and some are more competent than rns that i know.

however, the worst part about the uniforms are what the cna's wear. female cna's must wear a double-breasted tunic top that is in a light gray/silver color...think, maid uniform just not black. male cna's must wear a top that is similar, though not double-breasted but it has a sort of bow tie in the back...think, old school barber outfits. it's degrading.

i do not understand why cna's, who usually deal with a lot more feces, urine, and blood than nurses do, aren't allowed to wear scrubs, which are usually stain-resistant and hypoallergenic. the reasoning administration gives is that some elderly patients may not be able to distinguish between the colors.