Yahoo! Don't have to wear a nursing cap for grad pics!!

Nurses General Nursing

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Just had to share. A group of us at our school who are graduating in May

(yeah!!) really did not want to have to wear a nursing cap in our graduation picture. These pictures adorn the long hallway in our nursing school and go back a few decades. In every single picture, every single woman is wearing a nursing cap, even last year. So we banded together, called on the staff to support us and called for a vote. It was heated but we won the right to choose.

Now before you get all fired up, I'm not trying to start a big fight... I know people get wildly passionate about this topic. I would like to say that I fully support the right of those people for whom wearing the cap in the picture is meaningful. I do not happen to be one of them.

This year for the first time ever some of the students will wear the cap and some will not (about 1/2 and 1/2) in the end.

CHANGE IS GOOD!!

Would be interested to know if this is an issue at any other schools.

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Sorry, meant to post this in the nursing student section and not sure how to move it!

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Curious about something: did any males graduate from your program in the last few years? If so, I'm assuming they did NOT have to wear a cap....so how could they force the women to don them?

We hadn't worn caps in our school since the late 70's, I believe. Maybe early 80's, I don't remember seeing those pictures. I personally am happy to be capless ;)

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The school I went to stopped wearing those caps probably in the 70's...I know in the 60's they definitely had to wear it. Personally I wouldn't have minded wearing a cap...I don't know I kind of like them.. :imbar :nurse:

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The nursing program I am attending has a ceremony after the first half. We are presented with caps. The instructors wear caps on clinicals and on lab days. I am not sure how I feel about a cap yet. I may end up feeling very proud, I may end up hating to add one more thing to worry about. Ask me in March!

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Specializes in Emergency.

For a while I thought we might be required to wear white scrubs/dresses & caps for grad, and I told my family I would not be present for grad photos or graduation. Our university does our grad pictures, so the photographer doesn't care what program you're in....THANKFULLY! Some students in my class want to put together a nursing class picture with white scrubs, and possibly caps. I SOOOOOO don't want to be a part of that. No caps for this student.

Good for you guys for getting a group together, and stopping a tradition that you didn't want to continue! Very proud of you!

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Somehow "scrubs" doesn't sound right with a (starched white) cap. I mislaid mine about 25 years ago and sometimes I miss the old gal.

Kind of like the Honor Society pin that's long gone and I never wore anyway. Just a little tchotchke to look at now and then.

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.
Somehow "scrubs" doesn't sound right with a (starched white) cap. I mislaid mine about 25 years ago and sometimes I miss the old gal.

Kind of like the Honor Society pin that's long gone and I never wore anyway. Just a little tchotchke to look at now and then.

I agree. Mine is sitting on a bookshelf. I wore it once for graduation ceremonies. (For our graduation photos we took turns sharing the same cap.) It's got a lot of dust on it, and it's a bit yellowed after 22y, but to me it's a symbol of a lot of hard work.

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Specializes in Operating room..

I would LOVE to be able to wear mine in my photos (which I PAY for) or at graduation. We, however, are NOT allowed. Also, no nursing uniform of any kind (business attire ONLY or future pinnings will be CANCELLED). It is SO unfair. They also said that they will no longer pay for pinning (we have to scrape together for it). :scrying: You should be thankful you have a CHOICE!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I find it hard to believe that nursing schools try to force graduates into wearing those antiquated, horrible hats. I was one of those unfortunates that had to wear one, I wore it once for graduation and felt like a fool.

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Specializes in Emergency.
I would LOVE to be able to wear mine in my photos (which I PAY for)

Ever thought about having your own grad photos done at a photo studio? Get yourself a cap from the internet or older nsg buddy/family member, and have pics taken on your own. Then just don't buy the ones from the school.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

We did not even get caps from our program. We did however have to wear an all white uniform for our pinning ceremony.

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