All Your Scrubs

Have you ever noticed how much stuff a nurse can pull out of the pockets of her medical uniform?  Nurses scrubs generally contain multiple pockets on both the scrub top and the scrub pants.  This is because of all the supplies that a nurse must carry to be prepared to do his or her job.

Nurses will almost always carry a pen to record your vital signs.  She may have scissors or a stethoscope in her pocket.  Many hospitals now require nurses to carry a cell phone or some type of hospital pager.  A nurse may have any number of items in her pocket which she will inevitably use throughout the course of the day.

Apparently, nurses had some input in the way the medical uniforms are designed because today most scrub tops have two large pockets on the front and many times also include smaller pockets sectioned off for a cell phone or a pair of scissors.  Scrub pants usually have two large side seam pockets and often have big pockets along the side of the leg to hold additional supplies.  Nurses also wear a warm-up jacket much of the time that affords even more pockets.

Have you ever considered donning a pair of nurses scrubs and becoming one of the most respected professionals in the country?  Now is the time.  

Today, there is a significant shortage of nursing professionals and statistics show that the need for nurses in years to come will only become greater.  The reason for this growing need is multi-faceted. 

There are advances in health care that are helping people live longer.  This means there are more elderly people who need care.  As the population of Baby Boomers grows older, the number of people who are sicker and in need of more skilled nurses is growing.  There are numerous facilities outside the hospital setting that are designed to offer medical treatment and are in need of nurses to fill their staff.  In addition, the current nursing workforce is aging and many are expected to retire over the next 10 - 15 years.

So, nurses today - particularly those with a bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN) - are almost guaranteed jobs right out of college and can be assured of a secure career well into the future.

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A Nurse Practitioner is a highly professional, competent, and genuinely caring individual who practices a unique approach to whole-person healthcare.  The nurse practitioner listens not only to your symptoms, but to your questions, concerns, family issues and anything else you care to discuss.

A nurse practitioner is a licensed advanced practice nurse who provides healthcare services similar to a doctor.  They have definitely earned the lab coats they wear.  An increasing numbers of patients are choosing to receive their primary care from nurse practitioners instead of doctors.  The nurse practitioner offers high quality and cost effective patient care. 

Nurse practitioners have the education and skills to diagnose and treat diseases.  They can order tests, develop treatment plans, and write prescriptions.  But they also focus on the patients’ overall well-being.  NPs treat their patients through disease prevention, health education and counseling. By treating the person as well as the patient, NPs become a valuable source of information and guidance in making healthy life choices.

Many local hospitals are proposing new dress codes for their facilities.  The new policies include requiring color-coded nurse scrubs.  Hospital administrators feel the different color scrubs help patients and families better understand who is coming into their hospital room.

There is a growing trend in the health care industry to differentiate between departments in the hospital based on the color of nurse scrubs being worn.  This is also a way to distinguish nurses from aides and other staff. 

Healthcare professionals must be constantly concerned about stains to their medical uniforms.  Nurses care for patients who are ill and must deal with medications and fluids that may come in contact with their clothing. 

Many uniform manufacturers have become more aware of this concern and have taken steps to help remedy this problem.  White Swan Uniforms has incorporated nanotechnology to protect nurses uniforms from unsightly stains.  Nanotechnology means the “control of matter on an atomic or molecular scale.”  They have engineered a fabric that will repel all water and oil based stains.  Liquids will simply bead up and wipe off when coming in contact with this new fabric. 

Nurses work long, strenuous hours and have little time to worry about removing stains from their uniforms.  This new fabric will be greatly appreciated in the healthcare industry.

Hundreds of registered nurses from all across Texas will rally at the state Capitol in Austin this Thursday in support of the “Texas Hospital Patient Protection Act of 2009.” This Act could save the lives of untold numbers of Texans by cracking down on unsafe practices in today’s hospitals. The nurses will hear from legislators, healthcare experts, and activists.

The Act would significantly improve patient care by mandating safe nurse- to-patient ratios, which will end the dangerous practice of assigning nurses more patients than they can safely care for, and by providing nurses with whistle-blower protections.  The Act would allow nurses to have an added measure of control when they put on their medical uniform.

The Texas Hospital Patient Protection Act of 2009 gives nurses the legal protections and support to provide patients with the care they deserve. As the patient population grows sicker, and their treatments grow more complicated, safety protections for hospital patients becomes more urgent.

There is a shortage of nurses throughout the world and we appreciate all those who are dedicated to improving the health of their community.  Nationwide there are approximately 2,184,000 Registered Nurses as compared to about 688,000 doctors.  The salaries of staff RNs working in the United States varies depending on education level, experience, and geographic area.

Staff RNs working in the United States average a median base salary of $41,642.  Half of all US RN’s are expected to earn between $38,792 and $44,869.  Nearly 67% of nurses are employed in hospital inpatient and outpatient settings.  The remaining 33% of all nurses are employed in medical offices and clinics, home healthcare agencies, nursing homes, temporary help agencies, academia, and government agencies.

Regardless of the salary that an RN is paid, I would say he or she deserves every penny of it.  If you are ever in a hospital and see someone in hospital scrubs, take the time to stop and thank them for everything they do.   This is a difficult profession but one that is very satisfying.  It affords the healthcare professional an opportunity to help individuals and their families as well as giving back to the community.

Gone are the days when nurses and doctors dressed in white. In hospitals and clinics, most nurses wear hospital scrubs. These scrubs are a better alternative because they come in comfortable fabric. They are also comfortable to wear.

The scrubs, especially the colorful printed ones, are great for pediatric clinics or departments. Children often fear the trademark white uniform worn by doctors and nurses. They associate it with vaccines and needles. The scrubs help alleviate a child’s fear.

Hospital workers, especially lab personnel, are required to keep their uniforms clean. However, this may not always be the case, especially when work gets particularly frantic. Accidental spills can always happen.

That is why lab jackets are part of every lab technician’s outfit. These jackets help protect one’s uniform from blood or chemical stains. A jacket also keeps the wearer warm and comfortable.

Nursing is one of the most important career fields in today’s marketplace.  Because the work of nurses can affect the lives of so many people, they are some of the most important professionals in the medical field.  The work of nurses is not limited to only medical treatment but can include the emotional and psychological aspects of patients as well.

One of the great advantages to pursuing a career in the nursing field is the large number of different paths a nursing student can take on his or her way to a career.  The various areas of specialization are too numerous to mention.

So when you see professionals dressed in their medical uniforms, keep in mind the benefits of pursuing a career in the nursing field.