Nursing Uniforms: Why There Should Be a Mandatory Dress Code for Nurses
Running head: -nursing uniforms:WHY THERE SHOULD BE A MANDATORY DRESS CODE FOR NURSES
Nurses and uniforms
Why There Should Be a Mandatory Dress Code for nurses
Maria Gutierrez
University of Central Florida
Abstract
The debate about nurses having a mandatory dress code such as a specific uniform and color, (white or not) has been a hot topic lately. The majority of nurses love the freedom they have of choosing their own uniforms and expressing part of their identity and style; however, the major argument is that having everyone on the medical floor wear non-standardized uniforms cause confusion among patients and family members. By being able to choose any particular color and style uniform, nurses are losing the patient’s and families’ perceptions of their professional identity and competence.
According to vast research on the topic, appearance plays a big role on patient’s perceptions of nurses’ abilities to care for them; therefore, strongly supporting the fact that a mandatory, standardized uniform for all nurses will help both patients and professional nurses. Patients and families will be able to clearly distinguish who their nurses are and the nurses can proudly wear their uniforms and give a boost to their professional identity, competence and confidence in the patient’s eyes.
The lack of a standardized nursing uniform is hurting not only the care delivered by nurses, but the nursing profession as a whole. Appearance is still very important for patients and visitors to hospitals. It communicates, in a non-verbal way, something about the person and their role. It gives patients and visitors a confidence and reassurance that these are nurses who not only take themselves seriously, but also appear interested and concerned about them as people (Castledine, 2011).
The image of nursing has been grossly dented, communities are complaining about the behavior of nurses, and the dress code has been raised as the concern. Even nursing students complain
Nurses and uniforms
Why There Should Be a Mandatory Dress Code for nurses
Maria Gutierrez
University of Central Florida
Abstract
The debate about nurses having a mandatory dress code such as a specific uniform and color, (white or not) has been a hot topic lately. The majority of nurses love the freedom they have of choosing their own uniforms and expressing part of their identity and style; however, the major argument is that having everyone on the medical floor wear non-standardized uniforms cause confusion among patients and family members. By being able to choose any particular color and style uniform, nurses are losing the patient’s and families’ perceptions of their professional identity and competence.
According to vast research on the topic, appearance plays a big role on patient’s perceptions of nurses’ abilities to care for them; therefore, strongly supporting the fact that a mandatory, standardized uniform for all nurses will help both patients and professional nurses. Patients and families will be able to clearly distinguish who their nurses are and the nurses can proudly wear their uniforms and give a boost to their professional identity, competence and confidence in the patient’s eyes.
The lack of a standardized nursing uniform is hurting not only the care delivered by nurses, but the nursing profession as a whole. Appearance is still very important for patients and visitors to hospitals. It communicates, in a non-verbal way, something about the person and their role. It gives patients and visitors a confidence and reassurance that these are nurses who not only take themselves seriously, but also appear interested and concerned about them as people (Castledine, 2011).
The image of nursing has been grossly dented, communities are complaining about the behavior of nurses, and the dress code has been raised as the concern. Even nursing students complain
References: Albert, N.M., Wocial, L., Howey, K., Na, J., &Trochelman, K. (2008). Impact of nurses’ uniforms on patient and family perceptions of nurse professionalism. Applied Nursing Research, 2, 181-190. Albert, N.M., Wocial, L., Howey, K., Na J., Birch, S., & Trochelman, K. (2010). Impact of Pediatric Nurses’ Uniforms on Perceptions of Nurse Professionalism. Pediatric Nursing, 36 (8), 320. Bates C. (2010).Matrial and Visual Approaches to the Nurse’s Uniform. Nursing History Review, 18, 167 (journal article - pictorial, research) ISSN: 1062-8061 PMID: 20067098 Castledine, G Castledine, G. (2011). Clothes and Character: who’s who on hospital wards. British Journal of Nursing, 20 (6), 380. Kendall, P (2010). Uniform Approach. Nursing Standard, 24 (31), 7-13. (journal article - brief item, pictorial) ISSN: 0029-6570 Guthrie PS, (2010) Tiapu M. (2007). You are What You Wear. Nursing Update, 31 ( 9), 44 (journal article - pictorial). Thompson C, (2010). Dressing Like A Nurse-What’s The Evidence For Uniforms? KaiTiaki Nursing New Zealand, 24, ISSN: 1173-2032 PMID: 20429200 Skorupski, V & Rea, R