Choosing a Medical Uniform for Nurses

Nurses today face more choices than ever before when getting dressed for work. There are now lots of choices in nursing scrubs - hundreds of designs of scrub tops, scrub pants, and even warm-up jackets. Cotton fabrics, solid fabrics, even exotic fabrics like seersucker, chambray and even corduroy have made their way into nursing uniforms. European style has absolutely had an effect on today's nursing scrubs, making it more challenging - and more fun - than it has ever been for nurses to choose their uniform. This article provides an overview of some of the highlights that have come to the medical scrubs marketplace in recent years.

First, What Are You Allowed to Wear?

The first thing you need to do is check with your employer to see if there is a uniform requirement at your location. Some employers require that specific medical specialties wear only specific colors. For example, critical care staff wear royal blue uniforms while OB/GYN nurses wear ceil blue uniforms and cardiac floor staff wear surgical green scrubs, etc. Alternatively, they may have requirements by your nursing level. For example, nurse practitioners wear royal blue scrub tops, while RN's wear hunter green uniforms, and CNA's wear black uniforms. If your employer has a strict uniform policy, then you may be prevented from wearing print scrubs to work at all, and your choices may be limited what style of scrub tops and scrub pants you want to fit your body type or sense of fashion. If not, then you can choose if you prefer to wear print or solid uniforms.

Next, Prints or Solids?

Assuming that your employer provides some wiggle room to choose your medical scrubs, the next thing to decide is if you are going to wear prints or solid scrubs. The major medical scrubs brands: Cherokee, Tafford, Landau, and Peaches, all offer a big selection of print and solid scrub tops to meet your tastes. From basic floral and geometric print scrub tops to wild, jungle themed animal print scrubs, there are print styles for all sides of the fashion spectrum. If you like to show off your sense of humor, then print scrub tops will be a great option for you. If you are a bit less flamboyant, then you will want to choose a more conservative style solid scrub top.

Even if you decide to wear a solid scrub top, that doesn't mean that you have no choices. Solid scrub tops are available in different styles including the basic chest pocket scrub top, a mock wrap style, and they often offer other modern details such as sweetheart necks or contrasting trim. You can also switch up your uniform color from day to day and choose different colors like pinks, yellows, and purples to brighten up your work wardrobe. You can be sure that choosing a solid scrub top doesn't mean that you will be boring at work!

If you choose a print scrub top, then you will have hundreds of options to choose from. Feeling like a cheetah? Choose from a host of animal skin scrub tops that are the height of style and fashion. Working with kids? Then you might pick a cartoon scrub top with whimsical cartoon characters that will brighten your patients' day. Want to "rock out" at work? You can get music themed scrub tops, or even tie dye scrubs to show your style. Whatever your mood, whatever your style, there are print scrubs out there for you. You can even choose a print scrub hat to match your scrub uniform!

The days of the white nurses dress and white cap are long gone and medical scrub manufacturers have caught up with the fashion trends. Spend a little time researching and planning your medical uniform, and you will see that a new professional look can have a big affect on how you feel and present yourself when on the job!

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