My hospital is starting to intiate set colored uniforms for all staff.  The reason for this they say is for patient safety.  We basically have no say in the implementation of this policy and have been told that we have to do it.  Not only are they telling us which color we wear they are also telling us which company we will be able to purchase the uniforms from.  Now I am a little perplexed about this whole thing and if anyone has read my posts I am very outspoken at work when I feel it is neccessary.  Well this week we had to vote on the company and I asked if they researched the longevity of this working and I was basically blown off.  Now my theory is make everyone that is not a nurse wear uniforms other than scrubs and if people are doing what they are suppose to be doing like introducing themselves then the paitent will know who the nurse is. So when the patient wants the nurse are they going to have a color wheel that they can turn to see what color the nurse is wearing.  Come on get into reality here.  My facility is a magnet facility where nurses are suppose to have a vote and guess what it doesn't work that way.  This is coming from administration who by the way don't wear scrubs but because our sister hospital and another local facility has done so should we.  I think this is the most ridiculous policy yet.  First we take away your breaks by telling you what you can and can not do and now they are telling us what we have to wear when at work.  What will be next, you can only pee at this time?  Nursing has struggled for autonomy and lately all of the autonomy that we did have has been taken away from us.  And we are suppose to be the buttkissing yes ma'am type.   Oh and then the latest rumor is that the hospital is not going to purchase any of these uniforms for us.  Supposedly we are going to have a date to comply and we must be wearin what they say or receive a write up and be fired at the third time. What I want to know is has anyone been forced to do this and has it worked? 

One hospital, a very large and very old hosptial in Atlanta, went to all white for nurses. I think it is a fantastic idea. Is the hospital paying for the uniforms? Many will pay for the uniforms when there is a policy like this in place.

Our hospital implemeted this policy for us as well. At first there was a lot of resistence, but it has worked out very well. IMHO it does not take away autonomy at all. It is a fantastic idea and it is good to get recognized right away as a nurse.

It does help eliminate some confusion for patients & visitors.  They know who is who - our CNAs and PCAs have to wear a certain color scrub top and the nurses are to wear either white or burgandy.  Housekeeping wears a specific color, as does dietary, etc.  The policy was implemented a few years ago and it's never really been an issue -- other than the hassle of having to buy new scrubs.  I like it because you know exactly who the employees are and what their department is.

I do think this policy is a sensible one. Dont know what to do with all those other scrubs you have???...Sell them on Ebay! I do think if an institution is going to makethis a policy though that they should provide an allowance for them.

I myself am a design nut and dont like to be tied down to one color or type....However if its a great job???....at least you dont have to

worry about what youre going to wear...

LOL Pezzy....

I think it is a great idea to have coordinated colors. I used to work at a hospital where the nurse had to wear all white except if u work in ICU, ED, or another specialty. There is a topic on this site where some CNA's or nursing assistants are going around calling themselves nurses and this is one way for sure that that would not happen. Even in the specialty area where nurses wore a different color the aides had to wear a different color than the nurses. I do however disagree with the idea that u have to buy your uniform from a specific vendor. I will see the other side of it soon because next month I start at a different hospital where there is no specific color or scrub that  nurses must wear.

The hospital that I work at all the RN's wear royal blue.  I think it makes since.  We have RN students in our facility and the pts. know who is who.  I do think it is safer for the pts. and visitors.  As far as the hospital paying for the new scrubs, I don't agree.  If you worked in the business world you would have to pay for suits and professional attire and most likely get payed allot less.  I think be grateful that all you have to do is buy scrubs, besides you can write them off on your taxes.

I can both sides of this but I would be really sad if color coded scrubs by department was the case for my hospital.  I know I am an adult but purple is my favorite color and the majority of my scrubs are purple.  So is my stethoscope and the sharpie I carry to mark new patients bath bins and urinals :-)  I just don't like the idea of not being able to express youself at all.  Personally I would rather have nametags that were the same on the front and the back so when yours gets turned around people still know your position! 

Our facility has institued this policy, and we hate it.  Ceil blue for CNA's (puke) and emerald green for nurses.  The patients HATE it because they used to look forward to seeing people in new uniforms in bright colors and interesting patterns.  Now, I feel like the part of the fun has been sucked out of my day because of this.  We might as well be wearing orange jumpsuits.

It adds to the institutional "prison" feel of a nursing home, and while I see it as a serious detriment not only to patient happiness but to staff happiness as well, the God-like powers-that-be do not care, and don't understand why we were upset by this change.  We have to pay for our own uniforms........surprise.  We were not given a choice in the matter in any way, shape, or form. 

Also, ceil blue shows EVERYTHING.  Any greasy substance stains it, and is nearly impossible to remove.  The combination of deodorant/sweat in the armpits seems to leech the color out slightly in that area.  I continue wearing those scrubs anyway.  If they want ugly, they will get butt-ugly.