You cant be fashionable for nursing.

RN1982 · Dec 25, 2008

I mean, some make-up is fine as long as its tasteful but not like what you described. Unfortunately there is a nurse that wears her makeup like its totally painted on and sometimes I wonder if she has a lifetime supply of Aquanet because her hair doesn't move.

RN1982 · Dec 25, 2008

Heh...
Mean Men patients...
The only black eye I've ever had and the only bloody nose from a punch I've ever had both came form 90+ year old women.
The black eye was from a 4'5" 96 year old woman. Popped me right in the eye while I was too busy trying NOT to grab her arm. :)
The bloody nose was from a 90ish year old woman that looked at me, smiled and then laid me out. Also the only time I've ever been laid out.
I'm NOT exactly the small kind of guy.

Stan got laid out by a 96 yo woman? ROFL

lovehospital · Dec 25, 2008

Heh...
Mean Men patients...
The only black eye I've ever had and the only bloody nose from a punch I've ever had both came form 90+ year old women.
The black eye was from a 4'5" 96 year old woman. Popped me right in the eye while I was too busy trying NOT to grab her arm. :)
The bloody nose was from a 90ish year old woman that looked at me, smiled and then laid me out. Also the only time I've ever been laid out.
I'm NOT exactly the small kind of guy.

I hear horror stories from my fellow classmates,especially older male patients who used to be doctors and I guess they cannot be in control anymore and take it out on the nurses and some other nasty male patients too,I dont know when I'm about to find out male patient is assigned to me I get nervous...although so far thank God I had cool male patients but how do you deal with an older tyran?

Atheos · Dec 25, 2008

I hear horror stories from my fellow classmates,especially older male patients who used to be doctors and I guess they cannot be in control anymore and take it out on the nurses and some other nasty male patients too,I dont know when I'm about to find out male patient is assigned to me I get nervous...although so far thank God I had cool male patients but how do you deal with an older tyran?

First off, get over the idea that older men are somehow worse than older women.

There are good patients and bad patients. Period... How you deal with them depends on the patient.

You will deelop LOTS of patience.

And yes Detroit The only time I've been laid out was by an old woman. Laugh it up.

On topic, it's nice to be a guy. It's so much easiers to look good and fashionable without all the extra stuff women need. :up:

lovehospital · Dec 25, 2008

Heh...
Mean Men patients...
The only black eye I've ever had and the only bloody nose from a punch I've ever had both came form 90+ year old women.
The black eye was from a 4'5" 96 year old woman. Popped me right in the eye while I was too busy trying NOT to grab her arm. :)
The bloody nose was from a 90ish year old woman that looked at me, smiled and then laid me out. Also the only time I've ever been laid out.
I'm NOT exactly the small kind of guy.

Well you have to forgive her she probably had dementia:D

RN1982 · Dec 25, 2008

I will. Was she with it? Have to ask. I love confused little old ladies.

Atheos · Dec 25, 2008

Well you have to forgive her she probably had dementia:D

Most important lesson to learn in LTC.

A slow aide is an easy target.

ETA: She had Alzheimer's. She changed moods faster than I do!!!

holisticallyminded · Dec 25, 2008

I'm sorry but again, this is silly. Patients are human and they do care that you look as though you take care of yourself and know what you're doing. I've seen a few comments that really sound as though they are writing off appearance and insinuating that anyone who cares about it isn't good at their job. Now at this point, I'm really wondering why. Why would it would it bother you if a nurse comes to work with a manicure and some "cute" scrubs (I'm not sure that anything the original poster talked about sounded inappropriate)? And then I wonder in which other professions you feel people should focus on looking "plain" for others to take them seriously.....

Why are we arguing for a lack of individuality when individuality is part of what makes you/us better at what we do? Let's just respect each other's decisions and stop judging others on their appearance (again, appropriateness aside- we're not talking about see-through scrubs and bubble gum chewing).

Again, from my previous post, I'm 35 and I can tell you that I don't spend half the time on my appearance as I did at 20 (even though more time would probably be beneficial) but I think that this is an important part of youth and to truly respect diversity, you've gotta let it go.

I think nursing seems to be fighting image issues from all sides.

Shenanigans, RN · Dec 25, 2008

We don't tend to wear scrubs on the general wards in NZL, scrubs are mainly for theatre and AE staff. At school we wore the most ugly baby blue tunic.

As for nail polish, as has been said about infection, but also because the colouring can hide your vision from anything under the nail - which I always thought was odd, since you'd feel it, smell it or notice it when you turn your hands over!

allnurses Guide · Dec 25, 2008

I'm sorry but again, this is silly. Patients are human and they do care that you look as though you take care of yourself and know what you're doing. I've seen a few comments that really sound as though they are writing off appearance and insinuating that anyone who cares about it isn't good at their job. Now at this point, I'm really wondering why. Why would it would it bother you if a nurse comes to work with a manicure and some "cute" scrubs (I'm not sure that anything the original poster talked about sounded inappropriate)? And then I wonder in which other professions you feel people should focus on looking "plain" for others to take them seriously.....
Why are we arguing for a lack of individuality when individuality is part of what makes you/us better at what we do?

I don't think it's an argument about individuality.

I am a good-looking woman (trying to be positive about myself, but am cracking up at what I just wrote, LOL!) but work is NOT to place to worry about it.

I am clean, pressed, combed and looking sharp.

I do NOT feel dowdy this way. I feel professional which, in turn, makes me feel attractive. I also feel I perform at work better when I dress the part... total mental thing, for sure.

You are not forbidden to be unique. You just need to it simple and clean... for WORK.

Why does that have to be so negative? Are people that afraid of their own natural appearance?

I don't even mind seeing obvious make-up, but, darnit, if you can't get anything done because you're gonna fuss over it or be late to work because you "weren't put together", that's an issue!

But I'll say this, I'd rather have an "over-done" nurse than a filthy looking one! I think, "Geeze! If they can't take care of themselves, they sure can't take care of ME!"

listry · Dec 25, 2008

Lovehospital,

On the one hand, nurses are supposed to think for themselves, eflective practice, critical thinking and ll that, on the other hand, there is sometimes the power thing going on!

Neverthelss, the other repliers have made very good points regarding nail polish (infection), acrylic nails (I know you didn't mention them) can grow fungi and pseudomonus, and hair can most definately, without doubt, be grabbed and pulled - hard.

I can't see anything wrong in a nicely tailored uniform though, adds to the professinal image we are supposed to strive for. I remember one nurse who used bright colours in her hair, the elderly patients loved it, cheered 'em up no end, but..... you'ved guessed it, no go.

Good luck and be as free spirited as you are allowed to be, just go with it for now, your day will come

growing777 · Dec 25, 2008

I don't put my hair up, but I have a bob. Sometimes I do put a little bobby pin in my hair to keep it out of my face, because it can get in the way. I never wear nail polish to work. Not because it is verboten (it isn't, according to our dress code), but because once it starts to chip, it needs to be removed so it's not getting on your patients. Plus, I feel cleaner without it. Fake nails are definitely a no-no, though.