wearing traditional white uniforms and impact on how nurses are perceived course hero

by Westley Breitenberg 8 min read

Subjects perceived a higher level of trustworthiness when the nurse model was wearing a traditional white skirted uniform than when wearing a scrub suit or white pants and blue sweater.

Full Answer

Why are nurses uniforms white?

While white uniforms show spills and stains, white fabric can be bleached. Thus, white nurse uniforms remained the status quo until the 1960s when feminists argued that white signified diminished power. More colorful uniforms gradually became more accepted and popular.

Does uniform color affect patient and visitor perceptions of professional nursing?

Background: Patients and visitors may perceive nurses as professional based on uniform color and style. Nurse image may affect patient and visitor trust and satisfaction with nursing care. Fitted white dresses have been replaced by loose-fitting or scrub white, colored, or patterned pant sets.

How has the nurse’s uniform changed over time?

Over time and as the nurse’s role evolved, uniforms followed suit. Sleeves and skirts became shorter, the collars became deep, allowing for more movement and comfort. Additionally, there was a shift from wearing belts to adding pockets for carrying essential equipment, which became much more than scissors.

Should nurses wear uniforms in rehabilitation services?

Rafaeli and Pratt (1997) undertook action research in Israel to investigate whether nurses should wear informal clothes or uniforms in a rehabilitation service. They found that uniforms were strongly symbolic for these nurses, though the symbolism was complex.

How do nurses feel about themselves in a uniform?

How nurses feel about themselves in a uniform is extremely important and it was clear that participants wanted a uniform that made them feel confident in their appearance. Uniform and the image of nursing need, therefore, to be considered carefully, balancing modernity with an appreciation for nursing’s heritage.

What is the purpose of the Florence Nightingale uniform?

The traditional uniform of Florence Nightingale’s era was designed to project an image of neatness and servitude (Page and Lawrence, 1992). Items such as the belt, cap and buckle are often looked on with fondness by many as they symbolise status and a group identity.

What is background uniform?

Background Uniforms are thought to hold personal significance for those who wear them and act as powerful symbols representing the profession’s identity and image. Aim To gain an insight into the influence of uniform on self image and professional identity among student nurses.

Is wearing a uniform a good nurse?

However, wearing uniform does not automatically mean that a nurse acts as a professional and is a good nurse (Newton and Chaney, 1996). A common concept is that uniforms give nurses a certain level of confidence to carry out their role and prepare the individual psychologically for work.

Is wearing a nursing uniform scary?

Although extensive literature on nursing uniforms confirms their importance both to nurses and others, only a limited number of empirical studies examine this phenomenon.

What is the study that examined how patients reacted to dress codes?

A 2008 study from the Professional Nurse Practice Council tested how patients reacted to dress codes. 1 The research was predicated on many debates, like whether to return to traditional white scrubs, and if nurses should be allowed to wear jewelry or artificial nails.

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The UMA Blog covers information at the intersection of healthcare, education and employment. Our contributors are intimately familiar with a wide range of subjects covering professional development, career advancement, workplace politics, healthcare industry specific topics, personal finance, and education.

Do nurses wear white?

The dress code for nursing has changed a lot over the years. Female nurses are no longer restricted to white dresses and funny hats. Nowadays, many male and female nurses want to express their style in the workplace but feel as though they can’t. There’s currently no universal dress code for nurses, so they may have some wiggle room when it comes to color and prints. Here’s a breakdown of what some research reveals about what patients think about a nurse’s uniform.

What is the tradition of nursing uniforms?

The tradition of nursing attire has changed over the years. The history of nursing uniforms includes wearing solid white skirts, shoes, and white cap. These white garments typically signified nursing roles and differentiated nurses from other staff members.

Do nurses have to wear uniforms?

The debate about nurses having a mandatory dress code such as a specific uniform and color, ( white or not) has been a hot topic lately. The majority of nurses love the freedom they have of choosing their own uniforms and expressing part of their identity and style; however, the major argument is that having everyone on the medical floor wear non-standardized uniforms cause confusion among patients and family members. By being able to choose any particular color and style uniform, nurses are losing the patient’s and…show more content…

What is the International Council of Nurses?

The International Council of Nurses, the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Nurses Associations presented grand plans to celebrate us nurses. However, in true biblical fashion, this year has not just been a year of highlighting nurses and nursing, but a true demonstration of nurses and nursing being the backbone of healthcare.

How many graves have been found at the site of a former residential school for indigenous children?

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP): Leaders of indigenous groups in Canada said Thursday investigators have found more than 600 unmarked graves at the site of a former residential school for indigenous children – a discovery that follows last month’s...

Authors

Image
Kate Shaw, MNursSci, RN, is staff nurse, Nottingham University Hospitals, City Campus; Stephen Timmons, PhD, MSc, MA, MA, PGCAP, BA,is associate professor, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Physiotherapy, University of Nottingham.
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Background

  • Nurses’ uniform has long been a source of controversy. As McNally (1990) said: “Forget staff shortages, clinical grading and the poll tax; nothing gets nurses more worked up than their uniforms.” The uniform is familiar and over the decades its style has changed significantly to adapt to the requirements of the profession. The traditional uniform of Florence Nightingale’s er…
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Literature Review

  • Professional identity has become an increasingly important concept in nursing (Page and Lawrence, 1992). Fagermoen (1997) strongly associated it with nurses’ self-esteem, defining professional identity as “the values and beliefs held by the nurse that guide her/his thinking, actions and interactions with the patient”. However, whether nursing is a profession in its own ri…
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Aims

  • This study aimed to: 1. Formulate a picture of current student nurses’ views on nurses’ uniform; 2. Investigate the impact of nurses’ uniforms on their performance, confidence, view of self, feelings of pride and overall professional identity.
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Method

  • The study used an opportunistic sample of 14 pre registration students on diploma, BSc or (pre registration) Master’s courses at a university in England. Participants were of varying ages, years of training, branch of nursing and included both men and women. Semi structured interviews allowed the interviewer to probe for more information and gain clarification (Parahoo, 2006). Int…
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Results and Discussion

  • Four main themes were derived from the transcripts and within these, sub-themes were formulated. The findings are presented and discussed at the same time.
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Conclusion

  • We acknowledge that the conclusions drawn are limited to the participants interviewed. Due to time constraints and the study’s length, only 14 people could be interviewed, and from only one university. This study suggests that uniform is a complex issue that influences many areas in nursing and healthcare. It is clear it plays a key role in forming student nurses’ professional ident…
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