You cant be fashionable for nursing.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Dec 17, 2008

I understand people's desire to dress nicely at work. Most jobs expect people to strive for a professional looking appearance.

I do believe that includes hair being styled in such a way that it isn't flopping in hair. A ponytail works for me because it's short enough to not whip around and whack a patient. I worked with this one nurse who had hair down past her butt and she NEVER wore it up. I saw it get in several patient's wounds though she would deny it. How can you keep track of all that hair?

I know the nail thing is hard for a lot of people, women like polish and foo foo stuff. I don't wear it because of infection control risks and not being able to see evil bacteria hiding somewhere under or in that polish.

I do however have a vice for my toenails...not too worried about the risk there. :w00t::w00t:

It's important to care for yourself, and one of the ways you can do this, is take pride in your appearance appropriately.

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

I understand people's desire to dress nicely at work. Most jobs expect people to strive for a professional looking appearance.
I do believe that includes hair being styled in such a way that it isn't flopping in hair. A ponytail works for me because it's short enough to not whip around and whack a patient. I worked with this one nurse who had hair down past her butt and she NEVER wore it up. I saw it get in several patient's wounds though she would deny it. How can you keep track of all that hair?
I know the nail thing is hard for a lot of people, women like polish and foo foo stuff. I don't wear it because of infection control risks and not being able to see evil bacteria hiding somewhere under or in that polish.
I do however have a vice for my toenails...not too worried about the risk there. :w00t::w00t:
It's important to care for yourself, and one of the ways you can do this, is take pride in your appearance appropriately.

Exactly! And the reality of it is, our job is gross. We also take care of people who are very sick on their own and don't need any help from us. When I said in an earlier post that you're there to work and not hook-up, I did not mean to imply that was what the OP was doing. I was just using being out to meet someone as an example of when it is appropriate to have your hair, nails and clothing be just so.

lovehospital · Dec 17, 2008

I am very young, 23, and I hate looking dowdy at work and while I abide by all dress code rules and regulations, there are ways to still look good at work.
To the OP, the rules are the rules, so you must abide by them, but you can always add little personal touches. I know one girl who had shoulder length hair and always wore it up with a pretty ribbon or those sparkly hair pieces. Some girls wear the chopsticks to keep it up. For loose pieces, you can get cute bobby pins or something like that so you still have that feeling of personal style at work. I personally think if the hair doesn't touch your shoulders theres no problem, but some do. My hair was and still is super long but I would always make it look cute with pins and stuff like that and I loooove those thin headbands. Try a few styles at home. If your instructors have a problem with that then you will just have to deal though, but usually instructors differ in how they enforce their own dress codes. Just make sure you iron your scrubs! I hate when people roll into work with wrinkled scrubs, to me it signifies laziness. You can also try different makeup styles, like new liners or shadows, to make you feel a little bit better about the strict dress code. Just make sure not to go overboard!
You can look neat and polished without looking frumpy, just find ways to add your own personal style without breaking any rules. I also think patients appreciate seeing a pretty face who looks put together rather than someone who rolled out of bed put on a pair of scrubs and pulled their hair back.

Yes I agree with your last statement and I occasionally receive a complement from an elderly patient "Oh look at that pretty girl" and they smile etc,have good humor,not to say that there arent more important things although it seems like well-groomed people make more positive impression.

SmilingBluEyes · Dec 17, 2008

My hair is nearly down to my waist. It's thick and impossibly curly. I always put it up for work. I don't think my patients want it in "their business" so it goes up. I have no demented people who will pull it; it is just courtesy to keep my hair out of their faces.

Nail polish is not permitted where I work, so no issue there. It's not a choice at all. for good reason.

Look, you can go to work looking and feeling good. Make up is not forbidden, nor is having your hair a desireable color, or a nice jacket/scrubs, if you work in a hospital. There is a lot you can do to make your appearance attractive, not just functional so you do not have to be a Plain Jane.

But if your good looks interfere with safe and professional appearance and nursing care, then it's time to reconsider your grooming habits or find an office job where it's not as big an issue for you. Really it is as simple as that to me.

NurseyBaby'05, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

But if your good looks interfere with safe and professional appearance and nursing care, then it's time to reconsider your grooming habits or find an office job where it's not as big an issue for you. Really it is as simple as that to me.

Bottom line . . . . . . . . :yeah:

RN1982 · Dec 17, 2008

I adore white scrubs/uniform because it reminds me of how a real nurse looks like/dont take it the wrong way.

So I'm not a real nurse because I don't wear white?

Dinsey · Dec 17, 2008

Nursing is one of the least glamorous occupations I can think of. Keeping that in mind makes it much easier for me to put on modest-fitting scrubs (I have a variety of colors and a few patterns) each morning, put my hair up (with an elastic headband) and go get dirty.

justme1972 · Dec 17, 2008

Every instructor has their 'thing' that they get stuck on...don't let this one set the tone for how things are in a hospital...schools are different.

I personally wear my hair to where if I had to put in a foley or an IV, it don't have to touch it to get out of the way..if your hair is medium length, I don't really see how you can do that. At minimum, I have to clip the front section of my hair back. Ponytails are not necessary.

The nails...this is where the instructions we were given were sort of oxymoronic...we were told we could wear "clear" nail polish, and from a bacterial standpoint....this is no different than a color. However, chipped nail polish never looks good, and unless you are going to keep a french, polish that doesn't match your makeup or in too-bright tones such as red, orange, or other strange colors, to me, is unprofessional.

Just remember that it's a nursing job where you take care of sick people and that takes priority over fashion.

southern rn · Dec 17, 2008

I adore white scrubs/uniform because it reminds me of how a real nurse looks like/dont take it the wrong way.

So what are the nurses that don't wear white? Fake nurses as opposed to real ones lol.Just because white is traditional and stereotypical doesn't make it a good thing.

AlabamaBelle · Dec 17, 2008

I knew going into nursing that "being fashionable" was definitely not in the cards. However, presenting myself as a professional is.

My uniforms are always ironed (I get a lot of ribbing for this). It's just my own opinion and part of my upbringing. I get many compliments on the way I present myself - the ironed clothing, the neat hair, and yes, I do wear make-up to work (this, too, from my mother, don't go out without your make-up, don't want to scare anyone).

My uniforms fit appropriately - not too loose, not too tight. My abdomen is always covered up and nothing showing in the back when I bend down. I've noticed an increase with tighter fitting pants, shorter tops so that skin is exposed when the arms are raised even a little. If this is what the "cute, fashion-forward" stuff is, leave me out. I'll take professional anyday.

Not only do I attempt to always appear professional in appearance, I also try to be professional in both oral and written communication, with my patients and colleagues.

I have a few decades on me now, and I loved all my decades. They were unique and have me who I am. Life's too short to envy anybody. Learn to pick your battles. There are more important issues in nursing.

BTW, at the end of my shifts, the unpressed, just rolled out of beds are usually asking me why I look so put together and professional. One my ANMs just laughs and tells them - "She began her shift that way, and yes, management notices stuff like that!"

:twocents:

AlabamaBelle · Dec 17, 2008

Just an FYI: there are lots of vicious women everywhere, in every profession. This is unfortunately human behavior and not at all nice. The only way to get away from vicious women is to go find a plot of land all your own and let very few people on that plot.

Remember what Eleanor Roosevelt said - nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent. You are responsible for you and how you present yourself, you can't control how you are perceived. Know who you are and what is true.

I honestly don't mean this to be harsh or rude to anyone. And yes, I have been the "victim" of mean, vicious girls. But with age came wisdom and I have always had great, supportive parents who instilled in me the "to thine ownself be true" philosophy. I was over the "mean girls" by the ripe old age of 21.

Bortaz, MSN, RN · Dec 17, 2008

I adore white scrubs/uniform because it reminds me of how a real nurse looks like/dont take it the wrong way.

Define "real nurse".