They're Scrubs, not Pajamas...or...They're Scrubs, not a Fashion Statement



Posted: Saturday, August 08, 2009

by Andrea Mueller
blue sky scrubs

Medical scrubs are known for being worn by doctors and nurses and many other medical professional.  Scrubs have always had the same look:  plain, baggy, comfortable, practical, but still professional.  Recently, a few new manufacturers have emerged, perhaps because of demand, or maybe it was to begin such demand.  Either way, we have opposing sides on what a doctor or nurse should be wearing to work.

Let's first visit practicality.  In the E.R. - or any wing of the hospital, for that matter - doctors, nurses, and anyone who comes into contact with a patient is bound to, at some point, get soiled by some sort of fluid.  It is inevitable that this will occur.  If the fluid is blood, well, blood stains and so the soiled scrubs are now the discarded scrubs.  Long hours are a well-known tradition in medicine, so it only makes sense to wear comfortable clothing.  Plus, there is a need to be able to move freely and quickly.  Hospital staff should be easy to recognize by both the patients as well as their fellow staff members.  So, there it is:  the decision is clear.  Scrubs should be comfortable and cheap - because why wear an expensive pair of (let's face it) pajamas to work when you know you are possibly going to be throwing them away that same day.  Besides, everyone else is wearing the same thing, there isn't going to be a "best dressed" award announced at the end of the year.

There is always a flip side.  When is a person most productive?  For example, someone in a regular office - not necessarily medical.  For the sake of the debate, let's say the person comes into contact with a lot of people at all times of their shift; perhaps this individual is an office manager.  Is this office manager going to do his or her best work when they are dressed nicely and confident with what they are wearing?  More than likely, the answer will always be 'yes.'  And, if you had to wear the same thing to work every day, wouldn't you want some sort of alternative?  Do you think your nurse loves walking into the patient's room thinking, "Hello, I am your nurse, and I am dressed like a box!"  The scrubs have to be worn every day and many other members of society spend a good amount of money on work attire so that they can look and feel good.  Are doctors and nurses really that different from the rest of the public?  They should be able to wear their required uniform, but still have an added yet subtle touch of personality and flare (and I don't mean Spongebob-printed scrub tops.) 

Your typical set of scrubs costs about $20.00, give or take.  A pair of designer scrubs, on the other hand, runs $60.00.  The difference seems pretty vast, perhaps even a waste of money.  Think about this, though: how much did your jeans cost you?  Is a $30 pair of scrub pants that get a lot of use really that expensive?  At the end of the day, it is a matter of personal preference, vanity, style, comfort, and habit.  Luckily, there is no right or wrong answer and there is not usually a mandatory brand for hospital uniforms.  Plus, a little of both is a good thing.  Everyone has days when they just want to be comfortable, but there are also the days when it feels good to look good.  The important thing is that the individual wearing the scrubs feels good and is able to perform the tasks at hand.  Everything else is small potatoes.

About the Author:
Andrea Mueller lives in Austin, TX and has worked for the nursing scrubs company blue sky scrubs for the past 6 years. 

Andrea Mueller has lived in Austin, TX for 10 years.  Andrea enjoys reading, running, and spending time with her school-aged daughter.  She and her daughter enjoy vacationing anywhere that has a beach.  She has worked for the nursing scrubs company blue sky scrubs for the past 6 years.
Andrea can be reached by visiting the following link http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/ and clicking on the 'Contact Us' area of the website.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Steven Rogers
 2 years 281 days ago.
20 fans.
I work in a lab. I have for the better part of a decade and I have worn scrubs almost every day of my career. I have to say that i hate my  'pajamas'! You are right that they are a necessity though, but I hold my breath waiting for a suitable alternative. In the mean time, I will let you in on a lab secret. Peroxide will take blood and most other bodily fluids out of your clothing.Thanks for the article.
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