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What Healthcare Professionals Should Never (Ever!) Wear
Kayla Baxter, Anna Hennings, and Alice Handley
We hate to admit it, because we personally feel that clothes shouldn’t matter. In a perfect world, a person would be judged at their workplace based solely on the caliber of their work. Unfortunately, that’s not how the world works.
How you choose to dress each morning reflects how you feel about your job – that you take your position seriously, that you are ready to work and that you pay attention to detail and know what you expect to encounter that day. You wouldn’t go to a construction site in your favorite four-inch stilletos, right? Of course not, you’d go in a hard hat, because it’s appropriate for the situation. Appearances matter!
Of course, your work wardrobe is significantly limited when you work in the healthcare industry, especially if you have a clinical job. Healthcare administrators may be able to show off their personality with their clothes, but doctors, nurses, and medical assistants are destined to live out their work days in lab coats and scrubs.
Never fear. Even if your choices are limited, you have options. And with options come choices: The good. The bad. And the (very!) ugly. You might think you can roll out of bed and throw on any old outfit because you’ll be around sick children all day, or in surgery for four hours, or running tests in a lab. Your patients (and your colleagues!) are watching, though. And, like we said, first impressions do matter.
Regardless of the excuses, there are some things that professionals should just never wear. Ever.
We’ll show you what these things are, why they’re a terrible wardrobe choice and if you’re guilty of having one in your closet – or (gasp!) in your daily rotation – we’ll give you a much better alternative.
eban
11 months ago
6 comments
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louboutin2012
11 months ago
12 comments
so is the shoes and bag
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tanwarlalit
about 3 years ago
4 comments
said rightly
cdawnegreen
about 3 years ago
4 comments
Most of these fashion don'ts I would never have considered but some where some one did you also left out fringe on clothes
Maggie521
about 3 years ago
4 comments
I'm really surprised that Crocs and clogs are not on this list. I think wearing Crocs to work if you are in direct care is extrememly dangerous... first of all, you never know when you will need to move quickly, like during a code blue. I don't see how anyone wearing Crocs can move as quickly and safely as someone wearing tennis shoes. second of all, Crocs have lots of holes in them, so what if there's blood that falls in between those holes onto your socks and feet.
Maggie521
about 3 years ago
4 comments
Besides being out of style, Fanny Packs are against JCAHO regulations, which is an even better reason to not wear a fanny pack in a healthcare environment.
WaltSteiner
about 3 years ago
4 comments
Thank you for the information
WaltSteiner
about 3 years ago
4 comments
Interseting, how about if a person wants to wear western clothing, suits, shirts, and bolos, is that okay. Good insight about what we wear says about us.
LindaMuhn
over 3 years ago
2 comments
I am an RN returning to the work force in a specialized practice, and I know one of the MD's, he has seen me many years, in a very consrevitive Pharmaceutical Sales Manage's position which required at all times to be in a dark colored suit and no trends eitherso I have been told by the school that you should interview in scrubs, because they want to see you in what you will be wearing, everyday to work. The MD i know is a friend and has seen me in shorts,pants, even a bathing suit, as his children swim iin ourpool. I am going to meet his colleagues, and want to dress appropriate. Can someone help? At my last course to take for my BSN, it was a class of 50 and 30 men , so I agree with the gentleman's comments, on scrubs. The biggest mistake I saw, which is not as bad as the woma'n things I saw were, nails and shoes. Also, I have been told to stay away from croc's as comfortable as they can be, there has been showing a growing number of people of all ages, being seen in the ER, related to these types of shoes. If anyone can help me on the interview clothes, I need the advice asap.
Thank you Linda
NRRN
over 3 years ago
2 comments
I can't really agree with wearing a little makeup, as this comment clearly is directed only at women because I doubt the suggestion for lipstick selection applies to male health care professionals! Call me a feminist, but I think the same standard should apply for appearances, if a man can come to work with his natural face, so can I. My suggestion: have a face that is freshly washed and apply lotion and chapstick/lip balm to prevent dryness of skin and your lips.
kmc
over 3 years ago
2 comments
why should you wear cloth hats in the health-care facilities
prospero
almost 4 years ago
4 comments
o for heaven's sake, uggs can be done cleverly depending on where you live
minnickj
almost 4 years ago
2 comments
I'm really troubled that these items have to be pointed out, my training program actually addressed these issues prior to matriculation because you represent not only your profession but also the university you attended. Proper attire is always important even if you are PRN or on a travel/contract arrangement. Good article pics are funny.
another_nurse
almost 4 years ago
2 comments
Gotta disagree with this one. I had my eyebrows and eyeliner profesionally tattooed, and not only does it take less time to put on make-up, I never have to worry about looking completely washed out. The main point...profesionally done...
Bluepeony9
almost 4 years ago
12 comments
Very funny.,