You cant be fashionable for nursing.

jandr3301 · Dec 24, 2008

When I was in Nursing school( 1994-1996), we had to have our hair above our shoulders, no long or painted nails. As for earrings, they could only be microscopic studs, no danglies at all. Trust me , one of my instructors made one of my fellow classmates remove her studs because they were too big. At the time I thought it was a pain. I have thick hair and then it was half way down my back. I had to put it up and by 9 in the morning I had a raging headache. Now my hair is above my shoulders ...no more headaches. I have to say that when I see some of the nursing students now it is a bit shocking, they don't look as professional. Believe it or not, now I rarely have my nails painted. After washing you r hands as much as you have to during the course of the day, it doesn't last trust me.

lrhicp · Dec 24, 2008

I understan why you can't have your hair down and wear nail polish, but I wore those Gery's Anatomy scrubs that are a little fitted to my CNA clinicals, and the instructor, who will also teach clinicals in my nursing classes next semseter, said I won't be allowed to wear that in clinicals, b/c they are too "cute". She said we have to buy our scrubs, let her scrutinize them before we take off the tags!!!
What's the point? White scrubs are white scrubs, the fitted ones look less sloppy! If they are going to require a certain look, they shouold just have everyoen order the same scrubs!
Sorry- you got me into a rant!!

That is overboard. I agree, white scrubs are white scrubs. The hair and nails bit...who has the time!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Dec 24, 2008

But all of the nurses still dont follow those rules though...

Nope...most don't when it is over. I don't wear polish and long airbrushed nails because I just don't keep up with that sort of stuff. I used to wear earrings as a CNA, but stopped as a nurse...not so much because of the rules, but as a nursing student, once I took them off, I just never replaced them...not even for formal wear. MOST of the time, I wear my hair up, but, for one, I work in a clinic, so, I am not exposed to 'ick' as often. I took off my wedding and engagement rings once I became a nursing student, and just never placed them back on. I just changed out of conditioning as a nursing student, really.

I do like wearing cute uniforms, however. I hate form fitting ones because I am not working for that, but I do like to have attractive ones.

FATKAT · Dec 24, 2008

Actually, studies have proven that the infection rates and micro-organism colonization are higher with gel nails and nail polish - when nail polish wears off, bacteria collects in the cracks.

Xxentrick · Dec 24, 2008

My hair is short, but deal with one demented person mad at you and trying to grab - you'll put it up! It can also get into icky things, and ick gets around more than you can imagine on the floor.
Nail polish chips and schmutz can get underneath and fulminate into major ick. Besides, try washing your hands 100 times a day and keeping polish on, LOL!
It's all about the ick.
:)

Not only do you get icky things in your hair, but you end up taking the icky stuff home with you. And if you have kids that come running up & hugging you when you finally get home (they never can remember the rule - wait till mom/dad gets out of the shower after work before hugging), well then you have just transmitted some sort of ick to them and end up having to take a few days off of work to care for them or worse case scenario...they have to go to the hospital because the bug you gave them was a really nasty one that cant be treated with good ole OTC's.

I have chin length hair and I always wear a head band to keep my hair out of my face and keep it from flying around. The one thing that took me forever to get use to was to wash my hands before I mess around with my hair and to wash immediately after as well. But once you make it a habit, its all good.

Now if you really have to be fashionable....there are little ways of doing so. Cool head bands, funky socks, fun pins, cool stethoscope covers, etc. On my unit we all have a thing about bright, funky but functional shoes! Basically...its all about the accessories!!!

sharab · Dec 24, 2008

I have uniforms in many colors but I love the "White". We dont have to wear scrubs but many do. If an old man is going to grab he will do so if you are in scrubs or fitted uniforms!!! I speak from experience. I wear Birkenstocks with a strap at the back and they are the most comfortable and no weary legs or feet! We can be fashionable and still realistic. I always look good for work and I do my profession proud!

holisticallyminded · Dec 24, 2008

It's always interesting to me how defensive nurses get over appearance.

Sounds like the original poster wants to feel a little more like an individual at work. I think that makes sense, especially for a younger woman. Hair and nail polish aside (I personally feel that if you keep your nails well manicured, it shouldn't be an issue. And don't we use gloves?), I think the younger nurses usually look more professional than the older ones. The non-fitted scrubs look like pjs and go a long way toward making nurses look unprofessional and slovenly. I'd almost rather go back to all whites (without the hat, maybe...). Many of the younger nurses where I work wear fitted scrubs and seem to take a little pride in their appearance. We don't need to go back to the days when only plain women were allowed. This is all pretty silly.

By the way, I'm 35 and while I'm fairly comfortable about that (I've lived my life well), I certainly wouldn't say that I'd rather not look 20! My god, aging isn't exactly fun. Self-awareness is great but can I physically age the other way?.......Besides, I always thought that the secure woman wouldn't really respond to the age question. If a gal feels like she's being treated differently because she's younger and more attractive, she probably is! I've certainly watched younger women not being taken seriously for their age. Women are so damned catty......

Stop now. Let it go.

MaritesaRN · Dec 24, 2008

Ok so I was told by my instructor that one cannot be too fashionable in nursing.What she meant by it is that you cant have your hair down (I have a hair that is medium-lenght and layered so it doesnt really touch my neck,so I dont see the problem why cant I wear it down.Also she she mentioned something about the nails,they cant be too long.Ok I agree with this because the lenght provide the site for microorganism colonization,however why cant they be painted???It is not like it willrelease the odor which then can be offending to the patients.
Rules are rules but in the reality how many of you nurses put your hair up and wear no nail polish to work.Just curious...

I believe painting the nails w/ light like pink or clear is okay. No red nails though...it just do not look professional. I prefer my hair up when working ---it jsut looks neater and less hair falling on whatever you are doing.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2008

They assist us with it...

I find that hard to believe.

leslie :-D · Dec 24, 2008

sadly, we nurses suffer w/an unfavorable image...

to the media, to the public, to other healthcare professionals.

if some nurses are stuck on being betty-boop-cute, i have to wonder how this only contributes to the disrespect we already endure.

who the hell is going to take us seriously if it 'appears' we're more concerned with our hair, nails and how good we smell?

when my hair was long, i twisted it to the top of my head and clipped it.

it took me all of 5 seconds.

i went to work clean, groomed and polished.

i don't wear nail polish, so that's not an issue.

but my pts do love the scent of my dove soap when i have to get up close and personal.

i don't even slather my body with baby lotion anymore, since a pt had an unpleasant reaction.

everything i wear or don't wear, is all for the benefit of my pts...

and to make working a practical and convenient experience.

nothing more, nothing less.

time to get real, imo.

it really isn't about you (generic use).

and again, no one is saying you shouldn't take pride in your appearance.

but taking pride does not mean primping to extent where you feel need to vent about it, when there are rules to follow.

wishing you and yours, a peaceful holiday today and always.

leslie

Otessa, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2008

Ok so I was told by my instructor that one cannot be too fashionable in nursing.What she meant by it is that you cant have your hair down (I have a hair that is medium-lenght and layered so it doesnt really touch my neck,so I dont see the problem why cant I wear it down.Also she she mentioned something about the nails,they cant be too long.Ok I agree with this because the lenght provide the site for microorganism colonization,however why cant they be painted???It is not like it willrelease the odor which then can be offending to the patients.
Rules are rules but in the reality how many of you nurses put your hair up and wear no nail polish to work.Just curious...

When my hair was below ear level I put it up or back. No long, fake, or painted nails. I would paint them on my day off. Even with a base coat, etc. it starts to chip when washing hands so frequently at work.

otessa

MaritesaRN · Dec 24, 2008

It's always interesting to me how defensive nurses get over appearance.
Sounds like the original poster wants to feel a little more like an individual at work. I think that makes sense, especially for a younger woman. Hair and nail polish aside (I personally feel that if you keep your nails well manicured, it shouldn't be an issue. And don't we use gloves?), I think the younger nurses usually look more professional than the older ones. The non-fitted scrubs look like pjs and go a long way toward making nurses look unprofessional and slovenly. I'd almost rather go back to all whites (without the hat, maybe...). Many of the younger nurses where I work wear fitted scrubs and seem to take a little pride in their appearance. We don't need to go back to the days when only plain women were allowed. This is all pretty silly.
By the way, I'm 35 and while I'm fairly comfortable about that (I've lived my life well), I certainly wouldn't say that I'd rather not look 20! My god, aging isn't exactly fun. Self-awareness is great but can I physically age the other way?.......Besides, I always thought that the secure woman wouldn't really respond to the age question. If a gal feels like she's being treated differently because she's younger and more attractive, she probably is! I've certainly watched younger women not being taken seriously for their age. Women are so damned catty......
Stop now. Let it go.

:DYou are pretty mature for a young kid. Lot's of kudos to you ! No , secure women is not bothered w/ age. If you take care of yourself when you are younger , not to mention the genes, age does not really bother us, because we do not look like our age, in my caase 62. It is how you carry yourself and how you dress, but I think it is how you feel inside. there are times I am more of a kid than the kids around me ! I play wrestle w/ my 5 year old grand