Will nursing wreck my hands?

Published

Hi!

This may seem like a strange question, but as I am waiting to find out if I made it into nursing school I am wondering if nursing is hard on your hands? Does all the hand washing and glove wearing wreck them? In the winter my cuticles can sometimes crack and bleed, and I just wash my hands the usual amount (before and after cooking, after restroom), so I wondered if that is an issue for anyone, and if so, what you do about it. Has anyone dropped out of nursing because their hands couldn't hack it?

Yes its hard on the hands but if you take care of your hands you won't have a problem. Cuticle oil and heavy duty hand creme at night with gloves is what I did.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-surg, school nursing..
Thanks for the great suggestions! I use Working Hands when I remember, but I think the container would be awkward to bring around with me. So I'll have to check out these other ideas!

You can buy a small empty travel sized bottle (Wal-Mart has them) to put the lotion of your choice in.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You can buy a small empty travel sized bottle (Wal-Mart has them) to put the lotion of your choice in.

Great idea! Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

Simply Pure nail oil by Bliss Kiss is the secret weapon to keep your cuticles healthy. I love it! I use it a few times a day (when I remember) and at night. It's the best.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

I don't use hand sanitizer - It really wreck's my skin. Plus the CDC no longer recommends using any hand sanitizer that contains triclosan (sic) as it has been found to actually weaken the immune system. I just wash my hands a lot. Like before and after every patient contact. It doesn't take as long as people think. Plus patients really like it when they see you washing your hands. I coat my hands at night with a homemade lotion consisting of coconut and argan oil then don a pair of cotton gloves. Plus get a manicure about every 6 weeks. Skin stays soft and supple.

Hppy

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is a great question! I have allergy related eczema on my hands and they can be really, really painful when it flares up. I use Philosophy Miracle Hands and their Hands of Hope right now, but that may not be enough down the line. I'm writing all these suggestions down!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Simply Pure nail oil by Bliss Kiss is the secret weapon to keep your cuticles healthy. I love it! I use it a few times a day (when I remember) and at night. It's the best.

Sephora is going to be pretty happy to see me coming next time! Can't wait to try this out!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

I am a beauty junkie, and an RN! Nursing is, indeed, very rough on the hands. I don't waste my time or money on manicures, because peeling pill packages will destroy any nail polish. I am particular about my hands, though, and I like to keep them as soft as possible. Now that I am a school nurse, I wash my hands more than ever, so a good, glycerin-based lotion is a necessity. I apply lotion to my hands liberally, every night, then massage cuticle oil into my cuticles. I also apply lotion generously to my hands every morning before work. I have a travel-size hand lotion in my tote bag for work, although I honestly don't use it much during the day. I am always washing my hands in between sick children! Nurses do not have the softest, most supple, or most attractive hands in the world, but I've found that keeping mine moisturized keeps them from being unsightly. Purchase lotions that are glycerin-based, rather than mineral-oil based. They moisturize better!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.
Sephora is going to be pretty happy to see me coming next time! Can't wait to try this out!
I was just at my local Sephora last weekend! I could easily spend an entire paycheck in that place!
Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am a beauty junkie, and an RN! Nursing is, indeed, very rough on the hands. I don't waste my time or money on manicures, because peeling pill packages will destroy any nail polish. I am particular about my hands, though, and I like to keep them as soft as possible. Now that I am a school nurse, I wash my hands more than ever, so a good, glycerin-based lotion is a necessity. I apply lotion to my hands liberally, every night, then massage cuticle oil into my cuticles. I also apply lotion generously to my hands every morning before work. I have a travel-size hand lotion in my tote bag for work, although I honestly don't use it much during the day. I am always washing my hands in between sick children! Nurses do not have the softest, most supple, or most attractive hands in the world, but I've found that keeping mine moisturized keeps them from being unsightly. Purchase lotions that are glycerin-based, rather than mineral-oil based. They moisturize better!

Thank you! I just discovered pure glycerin and use it on my legs after pure aloe, and it seems ti be healing my winter eczema, but it is a little sticky to use straight on my hands. Do you have a favorite lotion?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

My favorite lotions to apply at night are Bath & Body Works. They are glycerin-based and I love the fragrances. For daytime, however, I prefer a lotion with no fragrance, especially now that I work in a school setting. I like Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion and Olay Quench Ultra Moisture Lotion. They stay with me for my first few hand washings!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I love this stuff, which may or may not be something that my hospital stocks on the floor:

Amazon.com: Remedy Hydraguard Skin Cream with Phytoplex - 4 Ounce - Pack of 3 Flip-Top Tubes: Industrial & Scientific

Most hospitals, I think, now have lotion dispensers around just like the alcohol gel dispensers. I would suggest trying to get in the habit of lotioning after every time that you wash or use the gel.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion