Nursing Uniforms
by Josh Stone

In olden days, the nurses did not wear the uniform and they wore the formal dresses. The credit should go to the Florence Nightingale for these uniforms. It was Florence Nightingale the first woman in medical field thought about the uniforms for the nurses. These uniforms stared soon after the war of Crimean in which the Florence Nightingale had involved herself. Initially, the color of nursing uniform was gray along with pure white aprons. These uniforms were full-length dresses.

Later on various modifications came about the nurse’s uniforms in 19 th century and it was decided to have complete white uniforms along with the hose but it was not comfortable and practicable for nurses while attending the patients. Next to come were the white color tunics and white pants that were more comfortable and simple for the nurses to wear and move in side the ward. At present the nursing uniforms are decided as per the organization they work and it is mostly in various colors. The main advantage of this color uniform is that it is easy to wash and the stains are not visible. But at the same time there is a disadvantage also that it is difficult to identify the nurse from other hospital members.

So again the nursing uniforms were back to white in color as white is the symbol of peace and purity. Due to this, the patients easily recognize the nurse from other hospital members and it also adds to the security of the nurses and the patients. Nursing uniforms is the pride of the service they carry out for the benefit of the mankind. Also these uniforms give courage and sense of responsibility to the nurses to dedicate the service to the profession that they are doing.

Nursing uniforms scrub consists of nursing cap, nursing skirt, socks and the shoes. Normally all these scrubs are white in color. These are the main accessories of the nursing uniforms but according to the organization their uniforms changes and in some cases the uniform are of various colors. In most of the organization the rank or the status of the nurse is provided on the shoulders. Especially in defense establishments the rank is given to the nurses to know their status, seniority and their service in the organization. In other words uniform is for identification and for responsibility purpose.

Nursing caps

The nursing cap provides a smart look to the nurses. Mostly these caps are of plain cloth and they are so placed on head with the help proper pinning. Nursing caps are made of pure cotton stuff and ironed well to provide a dashing look, which adds courage and confidence in their work.

The other main purpose of the nursing cap is to avoid falling of hair during operation and in syrups they serve to the patients. At the same time the hairs are kept tied and avoid them from loose flying that may disturb the nurse, patients and the doctors in their day-to-day activities. In some cases these caps are made from thick paper also, which are pinned along with the hairs.

This is because the cloth of the cap gets dirty due to the frequent sweating and in this matter the paper caps are very handy and can be replaced easily.

Nursing skirts

Nursing skirts is the important attire in the nursing uniforms. These skirts are normally of white color and are up to knee heights. The nursing skirts are made of imported fabric mostly of pure cotton and are half sleeved. They are easy to wash and are stain free. Most of the organizations have different color skirts so that the stains marks are not seen clearly and also do not get dirty frequently when compared to white uniforms. These skirts are comfortable in nature and provide easy movements while working.

Nursing socks

Nursing socks are white in color and extends up to the knee. These socks provides smart look to the nursing uniforms and it is an important part of the uniform. These socks are mostly of pure cotton to absorb the excessive sweating and are easy to wash.

Shoes

Nursing shoes are black in color and are polished properly to provide a great look to the nursing uniform. These nursing shoes have flat heels to avoid falling down in case slippery areas. Most of the nurses remove their shoes and wear special type of slippers during their working hours to have free movements in the medical ward. In most of the hospitals the rooms are air-conditioned and shoes are not allowed in such rooms thus the slippers are easy to remove or in some hospitals special slippers are allowed in air conditioned rooms or the in the operation theatres.

During 20 th century there was lot of changes that took place in case of nursing uniforms, normally the nursing uniforms were called as ankle length suit along with collar that could be removed easily from the main uniform for the washing purpose. The sleeves of the skirts were full length. The front portion of the ankle length dress was covered with half apron like a bib to avoid falling of any syrup or any liquid on the uniform while attending the patients. During this period the cap was also worn and it was in the shape of mushroom and it was called as mushroom cap. Later on the aprons were not considered as they were causing hindrance while working.

The permanent or the qualified nurses wore white color uniforms whereas the student nurses undergoing the training wore checked colored uniforms. Name of the organization was embroidered on the caps to identify the nurses. Even the name tabs were made compulsory to call the nurse by her name while on duty. In mid of 1970s the nursing uniforms were known as scrub suits and they were of different colors as the rules were completely taken off.