I've noticed several CNAs and younger RNs wearing large amounts of jewelry to my urgent care center. I find that stuff hideous and not work appropriate. We currently don't have any rules against it, but I would like to do some research, so I can recommend something to the administration. What does your facility do with overly flashy employees?

Wow that's pretty strict - do you go to a Catholic school? I meant it more as a safety hazard - they really do get in the way.

Nope, not Catholic school.. it's just the rules imposed by the OIIQ, the professional Order of Nursing in Quebec. The school is strict in foillowing the rules they set for the province.

My school allows small discreet post earrings-smaller than dime, no hoops allowed, a watch, and plain wedding band. We were just this quarter allowed to wear a wedding band with stones if it was channel set-safety issue for fragile skin. Of course there is also the issue of the settings holding bacteria around the stones.

Personally, I don't think one chain is a problem or double pierced ears with studs in them. However, there are a lot of people who will take a mile if given an inch. I agree that too much jewelery looks unprofessional and is a safety hazard. When I went to secretarial school there was a dress code then also and they were strict for us 1 watch, 1 ring, 1 set of stud earrings and 1 bracelet. Whether it is nursing school or the work place the approved dress code should be followed.

we are allowed earings too, studs only, though i've been wering small hoops and I mean small.. no problems. I have 2 piercings in one ear and 3 in the other. I wear a chain with a cross or a letter M and my watch. I also have a medic alert bracelt. that's it.

I wear rings and necklaces too. No piercings - Thank god, but I know plenty of people that do. I think like everything it's about degree - I mean c'mon three or four gold chains really does weigh a person down and could affect their performance.

It is my personal opinion that the least amount of jewerly worn is best. I wear a wedding band (even though I am single at the moment) to shelter me and to prevent personal questions. I personally do not wear lavish jewerly. There is a place and time for everything. If unsure of your decision to wear a certain piece of jewerly, ask yourself if this piece of jewerly would in any way hamper your job in cleaning up soiled bed linens. (I added the last statement to contribute comedy to the discussion!)

I think anything in moderation is okay; no chandelier earrings, no very large hoops, an inch would be fine, or many noisy multiple bangles or charm bracelets. It also makes you more professional looking, more polished and classy. There is always a time and place for the bigger and more colorful jewelry if that is ones taste.

Great I'm glad to hear that everyone is so moderate with their dress - does anyone like to wear a lot of jewelry? Have you ever had a incident because of it?

I agree that minimal is best. We have been discussing this in my nursing class, and we are only alowed to wear a watch, wedding band with nothing protruding, and 1 set of stud earrings on the lobes only. I agree its a pain if you have other piercings but when it comes to safety and infection control I would ratherbe and would rather have my clients be on the safe side of things. I mean aren't we supposed to be the clients advocate?

I was in the military for 30 yrars and we were not allowed to wear any jewelry, except for a wedding band and watch, I am now retired and no longer in the militay. I do wear jewelry and it does not get in the way of my work. I wash my hands constantly so I try to keep the risk of infection down. I really think it is a matter of choice, but if its too much I would probably agree that minimal is best.

This issue should not be a matter of choice, ie check the need for self expression at the door - other than a plain band that is easier to scrub, all the other jewelry incl set stones and watches harbor organisms and have the potential to infect compromised patients. Same thing goes for ties, long sleeves, lab coats and scrub gowns.

As careful as you may be, you know you potentially cross contaminate when you go from pt to pt with that same cover jacket too so there definitely needs to be a consistent policy for EVERYONE that puts the patients' safety first. Another difficulty is getting the doctors to realize they are not sterile and need to wash THEIR hands before and after each patient THEY touch. Some of the worst offenders I've seen have been the doctors in critical care areas.

No jewelry no problem but no watch. What if you want or need to get a pulse the old fashioned way. And what about no sleeves. Why don't we just all come to work wrapped in cellophane. I'm in mental health nursing and there's a diagnosis for this It's called OCD.

I am an RN with 14 years experience. As a student nurse I had a very strict dress code that only allowed 1 pair of post ear rings, a watch with a second hand and a wedding band. When I started working as a nurse I was allowed to use my discretion about jewelry. I wear multiple rings on both hands and a very flashy, gaudy watch. I work with kids who have a multitude of challenges and disabilities. They enjoy my jewelry and get excited to see what my watch looks like daily.
I keep my hands and my jewelry clean. If I worked in a different environment I might have to change my posiition on jewelry in the workplace. Overall, I guess I'm asking that people be less judgemental and more accepting of the differences that make each person shine.

I agree that excessive jewerly is an issue. My mother was an RN at a upscale area hosp. and some of the things that she wore ..gawd! It wasn't just her everyone on the unit was like that.Everything was huge and these women worked in CCCU.