# American nurses - why do they look like crap? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 2, 2003, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144 "2003-06-02T16:00:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Francis\_E\_Dec\_Esq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/48db29/32.png) [@Francis\_E\_Dec\_Esq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Francis_E_Dec_Esq)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/1 "2003-06-02T16:00:33Z")
In every hospital or clinic I’ve been to in America in the last ten years or so the nurses look like they came to work in their pajamas. It bugs me because it looks so unprofessional and does nothing to give me confidence in them. It’s also something my wife from China has often noticed. I can understand if you don’t want to wear those cute little bonnets anymore, but do you have to look like an unmade bed? There aren’t comfortable clothes that look professional? My auto mechanic looks better. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/2 "2003-06-02T16:20:15Z")
Those clothes are called, “scrubs” and are pretty much industry standard. The previous, more formal nurse uniform was probably impractical, given most nurses’ duties. My mom is an RN, and would come home in scrubs from time to time – even though she wore the starched hat and a nice dress to work. Someone would inevitably lose a bodily fluid all over her and since there were plenty of scrubs around, she’d get to change. Different medical establishments have different dress codes. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/3 "2003-06-02T17:38:47Z")
Scrubs are very utilitarian, given all the mess that nurses get into. One can dash to the locker room, peel, shower, and don new scrubs and be right back at it. And when nurses are in short supply, and working double shifts of over 16 hours at a time, one must pay attention to the most important thing: Patient care. It’s much better from a public health standpoint too. QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/4 "2003-06-02T17:43:36Z")
Hey buddy, my mom and sister are both nurses. They don’t look like crap and yes, those older style uniforms were impractical. Scrubs may not be creased and bright white, but they make a lot more sense. So watch it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/5 "2003-06-02T18:05:28Z")
My sister used to be a nurse in the VA system. Their employee id would be put in the slot, scrubs would come out. At the end of the day (or if the scrubs got soiled enough to warrent changing) ID went back in to check the scrubs in, scrubs went into the laundry, fresh scrubs came out. They were institutional green - a color certain to be attractive on everyone. But we are talking the government here. They weren’t exactly interested in matching the blue of her eyes. Nursing uniforms need to be laundered frequently and hold up to lots of hot water. They need to be cheap (especially if hospital issued - although if I were a nurse paying for mine out of pocket, I wouldn’t want to spend a lot on them either). Scrubs fit the bill quite nicely. BTW, my sister is not unattractive, and does bother to do her hair and makeup (professionally) for work each day. ---
**Author:** ![Bongmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Bongmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bongmaster)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/6 "2003-06-02T18:58:42Z")
I personally would rather the nurse was comfortable doing his/her job, that should be paramount. I couldn’t care less what they dress in if they provide good medical service. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/7 "2003-06-02T19:35:52Z")
You know, I’d never really spent any time in the hospital before this past year. With the birth of my son and my ensuing health problems and hospitalizations I was in the hospital for about 10 days total. I spent a lot of time being cared for by RNs, LPNs, and techs of various types. I couldn’t always attend to my own bodily needs so they helped me. They wiped up my poop and urine and my blood and my vomit. They moved my legs for me when I couldn’t move them myself. They carried me when I couldn’t walk. They brought me everything I needed. They picked up stuff that I dropped on the floor and fluffed my pillows. They did everything they could to help me get better and to make me more comfortable. They taught me how to nurse and care for my baby and got him off to the best start possible. It’s been a year and 21 days since I gave birth and started on this roller coaster ride of constant medical problems, and I am so grateful to all the nurses that helped me. My son is healthy. I took a 9-mile walk last weekend–not bad for someone who couldn’t have walked 9 feet a year ago. Without their wonderful care, who knows what kind of condition we would be in? Why do American nurses “look like crap?” Well, because they dress and groom themselves in a way that helps them do their jobs effectively. Nurses are the true angels, and I find it disgusting that you would criticize them for not dressing in a way that you find aesthetically pleasing. ---
**Author:** ![Deadly\_Nightlight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Deadly\_Nightlight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deadly_Nightlight)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/8 "2003-06-02T19:44:42Z")
You know, I am kinda with the op on this- I really don’t care what they wear, my sister is a nurse, but, around here alot of the nurses look like they just dragged out of bed. I understand that it makes it easier to work in a hectic enviornment, but the rumpled pj look really makes me wonder about the nurse. Of course they could be rumpled because of the hectic schedule. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/9 "2003-06-02T23:00:03Z")
You know how a lot of people have sexual fantasies about nurses in starched white uniforms with short skirts and easily-popped buttons? Imagine wearing that uniform every day. I think you’d rather have utilitarian, convenient, comfy,hygienic, asexual scrubs. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/10 "2003-06-02T23:04:21Z")
Thats more likely to be the case, **Nightlight**. Add to that the fact that nurses often work 12 hour shifts, often double shifts, and you’d look tired too if you were in their shoes. I’d rather have a nurse look a little rumpled and take good care of me or a loved one (or perfect strangers for that matter) than to have a nurse look nice and attractive and be well dressed and groomed, but who spends more time adjusting her hair than she does attending to patient needs. Admittedly, thats a bit of an extreme, but the fact is most nurses probably think a little along those lines (I know my best friend does). Besides, if they work in a place with scrub-dispensers, then odds are the scrubs come out wrinkled, and there likely isn’t an ironing board nearby to fix that. And I just want to add a bit of agreement with **Green Bean** and say that nurses _are_ angels. My best friend is as wonderful as they get - she’s caring and puts in a lot of time and effort into her job. She’s one of the few who truly know what it’s like to be sick (she’s a cancer survivor), and if I ever needed a nurse, you can be damn sure I’d call on her! ---
**Author:** ![angelabaca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f05b48/32.png) [@angelabaca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelabaca)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/11 "2003-06-02T23:36:42Z")
Comfort isn’t really a proper argument for “scrubs”. I think that they could stand to look a bit more professional. I think Americans are just a bit sloppy all around. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/12 "2003-06-02T23:46:31Z")
I just spent 2 days in the hospital where my FIL had a bypass operation. I can honestly say I didn’t notice anything about the clothing the nurses wore, but I did notice they were professional, courteous, attentive, gentle, and all-around a joy during a very difficult time. If they wanted to dress in tu-tus, I wouldn’t have a problem with it. It’s a job, not a fashion show. ---
**Author:** ![fireman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@fireman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fireman)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/13 "2003-06-03T00:11:05Z")
**angelabaca said** > [@](#): > > Comfort isn’t really a proper argument for “scrubs”. I think that they could stand to look a bit more professional. Comfort is a big issue when wearing any work clothing. And scrubs are cheaper and easier to care for than whites. Mrs. Fireman is a nurse in a nursing home. She used to wear whites every day, and could get a few weeks out of them before they were stained beyond use from food, medicines, bodily fluids, excrement, etc. Some of the residents were in no condition to care for themselves, and required care as one would care for an infant. An infant that could bite, scratch, punch, throw shit, spit food, etc. She does her hair and makeup each day before work, and irons her scrubs before wearing. She looks quite professional, and every inch a nurse. ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/14 "2003-06-03T00:11:38Z")
I don’t get the “rumpled up” bit- I work at one of the largest hospitals in NC and I’ve never seen a nurse or other scrub wearing person (including myself) looking rumpled up or like we’re wearing pajamas. The only reason I can think that someone would be all rumpled is if they left their scrubs unfolded in the dryer for a long time- otherwise, they come out pretty wrinkle free and neat looking. I’m confused, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/15 "2003-06-03T00:23:14Z")
> [@](#): > > Comfort isn’t really a proper argument for “scrubs”. I think that they could stand to look a bit more professional. > > I think Americans are just a bit sloppy all around. Are you a nurse? Do you spend all day on your feet, taking care of people literally sick with fear? grandparents who can’t control their bladders, terrified children, screaming infants? people with every kind of hygiene problem in the world? And that’s just if you’re in pre-op. Scrubs are the most sensible thing to wear; that’s why the vast majority of nurses wear identical ones. They know what they’re doing, okay? They are professionals. You don’t, and you aren’t. Really, people. A _bonnet_? There _are_ male nurses, you know. My uncle is one. I can just imagine him in a bonnet–he’s 6 feet tall and rides his motorcycle and builds houses in his spare time. Oh yeah. :rolleyes: Thanks for that mental image. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/16 "2003-06-03T01:12:03Z")
The other day on an old TV show I saw a nurse in a nurse cap and thought, “gosh, what a useless and impractical little item. Why in the world would she want to wear that?” (Yes, I’m familiar with the evolution of nurse’s uniforms. I know where the cap came from.) Nurses are the bee’s knees. They look just fine, and dress that way because they do most of the really hard work in a hospital. Often their scrubs are in cute, cheerful prints to try to bring a little friendlyness into an often scary time, especially for kids. Yay, nurses! ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/17 "2003-06-03T01:43:14Z")
If you want to bitch about nurses, you can do it in the BBQ Pit. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/18 "2003-06-03T01:48:38Z")
Saying that American nurses look like crap is like saying that American male lawyers (especially those who refer to themselves as “Esq.”) are jerks. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/19 "2003-06-03T01:52:54Z")
Yeah, both statements are true, right? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2003, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144/20 "2003-06-03T01:55:56Z")
Most nurses in these parts have “scrub-like” outfits in various colors, but with a bit more style - you know, a colar, a bit of pattern on the fabric. The Paeds nurses usually have a children’s theme on their outfits. That being said, why would anyone care what the nurse was wearing, assuing she was doing her job well? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-nurses-why-do-they-look-like-crap/179144.md?page=2)