The Secret to Looking Your Best at Work

If you are required wear medical scrub at your job, there are several things that experts say you should do to keep yourself looking great in the workplace. Just because your fashion choices are restricted does not mean all is lost. In fact, you need not spend huge sums of money to look your best, but there are some solid, reliable guidelines to follow for that proper, professional look, most of which are related to cleanliness and hygiene. Unfortunately, many medical employees ignore these tips and end up with an appearance that is much less than appropriate.

Always wear a clean set of medical scrubs, and never wear faded or worn scrubs. This also applies to shoes and socks, which can make or break an otherwise positive demeanor. Stained, worn, and ill-fitting clothing is perhaps the greatest detriment to your overall look. Likewise, your hair, nails, and teeth speak volumes about your level of professionalism.

Experts on workplace etiquette point out that medical scrubs can look very good unless they are too large or too small, at which point they look simply awful. Shop carefully for scrubs that fit, and then purchase several sets of that size in your preferred colors. If you launder the scrubs regularly and repair or replace torn garments, you will never have to concern yourself with looking less than your very best.

Concerning hair, it is best to keep long hair tied back in a ponytail or braid, but never tuck a ponytail or braid into the back of your scrubs collar. Those who consult about workplace etiquette say this practice is one of the worst habits in medical settings.

By keeping your clothing and body clean and fresh, you will always have a bright, positive appearance while on the job in the medical industry. Clean medical scrubs can enhance your air of professionalism as well as give you confidence in yourself.

Top 5 Worst Styles of Medical Scrubs

Medical scrubs can be fashionable, comfortable, and inexpensive. Unfortunately, they can also be quite unfashionable. It is wise to keep in mind the five main mistakes people make when it comes to medical scrubs. Because scrubs come in so many colors and styles, it’s easy to choose badly. It seems every major medical facility employs at least one worker who “didn’t get the memo” about scrubs fashion and etiquette. 

When it comes to stains, you need to tread very carefully. In the medical profession, permanent stains are considered bad business. Therefore, even if you know that that tiny red stain on your medical scrubs is from strawberry jam, it is best to toss the things if the stain won’t come out. Most scrubs are very easy to clean, and feature treated materials that do not stain easily. But every now and then, a permanent stain makes its way into our lives. When it does, do not delay trashing the scrubs.

Torn pockets are fine, if they are properly mended. The challenge here is knowing when to give up the ghost. Mending once is okay, but mending a second and third time makes your medical scrubs look terrible. 

The third and fourth medical scrubs disasters have to do with color and size. Too small is too bad. No one wants to see a person wearing scrubs that are on the tight side. Colors and wacky patterns can sometimes look awful, so avoid the really frightening hues and insane patterns. 

Last but not least, do not wear scrubs that are too revealing. Save the parade for Fourth of July, and keep the skin show at the beach. Medical scrubs are meant to be worn in a work environment, not a nightclub. Stick to proper sizing, current styles, and comfortable fabrics. That way, you will look great and get the job done.

The Fad of Printed Medical Scrubs

To go with the printed scrubs, or to abstain, that is the question. Recently, printed scrub tops have been all the rage. Regularly seen as fun loving, many nurses consider printed medical scrubs to lift the spirits around their workplace or office. On the other hand, nurses may want to mull over a few things prior to throwing on their favorite cartoon character tops.

Firstly, reflect on you workplace. Cartoon printed scrub tops may perhaps not be sensible while working on an ICU hospital floor. Conversely, when scheduled on the hospital’s pediatric floor, this sort of top is relatively important and may even be encouraged. When dealing with children, fun cartoon scrub tops can make all the difference and can help boost spirits.

Take some time to consider your employer. Remember that you represent your employer as a professional. If sporting frolicking animals printed on your top will affect your credibility in any way, think twice. It may be worth asking the feelings of your employer on the subject, even if you already have a dress code but the topic is not outlined.

On the subject of credibility, bear in mind that you have worked exceptionally hard to get to where you are. In this profession it is important to look the part. Do not wear printed scrubs unless you are certain they fit in at your workplace.

Wearing printed scrub tops can prove to be especially fun. Countless nurses relish in the break from the usual scrubs. So, keep in mind these tips when deciding on your medical scrubs. When coming to a decision on a print, be sure it is acceptable.

How To Avoid Fashion Blunders With Your Scrubs

Let’s face it, having to wear scrubs on a daily basis can lead to fashion hum drums. While you can shake things up a bit by wearing bright colors and patterned scrubs, you may be relegated to wearing a specific color based on your position in the hospital or health care facility. Your hospital may let you make a bit of a fashion statement with your scrubs but you want to make sure no matter what you do, you don’t become a scrubs fashion faux pas.

Being professional and dressing professionally is something you want to strive for every day. Avoid coming to work with stained and mismatched scrubs or scrubs that are held together with safety pins. Your scrubs will likely get pretty stained on a daily basis and that is unavoidable, but that, in addition to other fashion blunders are something you need to avoid.

One major blunder to avoid is showing too much. Consider what your front view looks like when you’re bending over in front of a patient or his or her family. You don’t want them seeing your cleavage. If that is a problem with your scrubs, you need to wear a scrub top with a higher cut or wear a shirt or tank top underneath. This goes for men as well.

Stains and myriad unhygienic substances and blood are all part and parcel of working in a hospital. You don’t want to announce to your current patient, however, that you’ve just been in a setting with the prior patient in which you’re covered in stains. Scrubs need to be sanitized and cleaned every day without fail. 

Do a mirror check test before you leave your home. Bend and stretch to see if your scrubs are pulling, tugging or exposing major amounts of flesh. If you’ve gained or lost weight you definitely need to make certain your scrubs still fit. Also, where will you “wear” your pants – above or below your waist? Make sure the length of your pants fits where you will wear them on your waist.

No matter what style of scrubs you wear, you will want to wash them according to the manufacturer label and wash like colors together so they fade evenly. You don’t want your navy scrubs, for example, to fade unevenly or you will look ill-put together when walking around the hospital. Professionalism is the order of the day, especially if you’re working in a hospital with sick patients.

Nursing Career Paths To Consider Pursuing

The aging population brings with it the need for even more nurses than ever. Nursing careers are favored by individuals looking to pursue a great part time or full time position. There are many more patients in need of care and there is a greater need for individuals to pursue nursing careers to fill the need. Nurses may not have to work the brutal length of hours that many doctors do, but their work is demanding and tiring nonetheless. Nurses deal with stressful hospital situations as well as being on their feet all day working with ill and dying patients. Nurses also need to interact with other hospital staff as well as the friends and family of patients. Those who are nurses though, find that being a nurse is satisfying work. 

Nursing careers are as unique as the individuals who pursue them. There are myriad nursing jobs for individuals interested in pursuing a career putting their talents to work helping patients. Nursing careers are: registered nursing/ (RN), licensed practical nursing or licensed vocational nurses (LPN/LVN), and nursing assistant. RNs supervise LPNs and nursing assistants. LPN and LVN nurses only are allowed to offer patient care under the supervision of a doctor, nurse practitioner or RN.

As with other careers, nursing careers offer other categories such as: full or part time schedules, contract nursing, office or permanent care nursing, private duty, hospital nursing, industrial or health nursing, travel and psych nursing. Nursing assistants aren’t nurses but they will still wear scrubs to work and will be involved in many daily nursing activities. Nursing assistant duties include: helping nurses carry out tasks, offering hygienic care, providing psychosocial care and other such duties.

As with other professions, full time RNs work at least 40 hours a week in any of the chosen career paths. They wear scrubs while at work and can choose to find employment in any of a number of medical venues in both the public and private sector. The hours of part time nurses vary widely and they also can work as nursing contractors. Pay, benefits and hours vary based on the facility in which you work as well as your longevity in the career, training and licensing and hours worked. There are even some individuals who will retire from full time nursing and take up a position as a part time or contract nurse while some others will become part time nurses to supplement their other jobs. 

Contract RN jobs are favored by many, but those looking for stable positions prefer a full time nursing position. Those who enjoy variety in both their schedule and location will typically opt for contract or traveling nursing jobs. Nursing provides competitive pay and in some cases competitive benefits.