| Uniforms signify dedication and | | | | conservative manner. Graduate nurses |
| discipline. Nursing uniforms help create | | | | normally wore white, and student nurses |
| the proper atmosphere in a hospital. If | | | | sometimes wore blue, pink or checked |
| the uniform is in a color that is not at | | | | uniforms, so that the two could be |
| all soothing, like blood-red or | | | | distinguished by color. Nurses wore |
| fluorescent green, that could bother the | | | | capes for outer wear, mostly navy blue |
| person who is being treated. Therefore, | | | | with red lining, embroidered with |
| a nursing uniform is designed to | | | | hospital initials. |
| consider the impact on the patient | | | | With the advent of the '70s, hospitals |
| regarding his well-being and fast | | | | began to relax the rules and uniforms |
| recovery. | | | | were done away with. Now most nurses can |
| However, in recent days there has been a | | | | choose their own clothing, which in most |
| lot of debate on the topic. The | | | | cases is a pantsuit or comfortable |
| complexities of nursing uniforms were | | | | surgery "scrub suit." Hospital scrubs |
| reviewed and analyzed in an article in | | | | are usually made from a 65/35 polyester |
| the year 2002. If we look back at the | | | | cotton blend for durability, although |
| history of the nursing uniforms, we | | | | some are made with 100% cotton to ensure |
| might get some interesting facts: as | | | | maximum comfort. These run the risk of |
| early as the 1800s, the nursing uniform | | | | shrinking and fading after washing, |
| represented the 'state of the art' | | | | however. One can find unisex medical |
| protection for the 'visiting nurse'. It | | | | scrubs also that are meant for both men |
| was popularly called the 'fever proof | | | | and women. |
| uniform' and it covered most of the | | | | Different hospitals follow different |
| body- but the nurse never wore any | | | | attire policies. In some hospitals, you |
| gloves or mask. | | | | are free to choose your own colors and |
| Nursing uniforms have witnessed a great | | | | styles. Some will provide you scrubs to |
| evolution during the last century or so. | | | | be worn on the premises only (washed |
| In the first two decades of the 20th | | | | daily and reused). And some will |
| century, a nurse's uniform usually was | | | | purchase scrubs for you. The final |
| an ankle-length dress with detachable | | | | decision usually rests with the |
| collar and neck. The front of the dress | | | | authorities, though your views may not |
| was covered by a massive starched apron | | | | be ignored altogether. Some hospitals |
| and a cap, resembling a mushroom, | | | | insist on a blue-scrubs-only policy in |
| announced her professional identity. | | | | the operating room, in order to prevent |
| In the course of the next few decades, | | | | patients from getting infected. One |
| the uniforms underwent a huge change: | | | | should also remember that wearing a tee |
| the starched aprons were given a | | | | shirt underneath one's scrub, if it |
| farewell, and hems and sleeves were cut | | | | extends beyond the scrub, can increase |
| short. The styles often reflected the | | | | chances of infection. |
| mode of the time, albeit in a | | | | |