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What Should I Consider When Buying Nursing Scrubs?

J. Beam
J. Beam

If you are considering buying nursing scrubs, there is a strong likelihood that you currently are or will soon be working in the medical field. Though there are other situations that warrant the purchase of nursing scrubs, such as cosmetology school, which often requires students to wear scrubs as a uniform, most people in the market for buying nursing scrubs are current or future employees in a medical setting.

The first thing to consider when buying nursing scrubs is any requirements mandated by either your employee or your school or training facility. Your employer may require buying nursing scrubs of certain colors or may not allow patterns. This is especially true in private doctor and dentists offices where employees are often all required to wear the same color. Similarly, many schools that offer training in various medical fields require all white scrubs. If you are restricted to certain colors, make sure you adhere to the requirements.

It may be beneficial to buy nursing scrubs that can be safely bleached.
It may be beneficial to buy nursing scrubs that can be safely bleached.

If you are restricted to only white, be sure to check the care label before buying nursing scrubs. You might want to consider buying only scrubs that are safe to bleach. Also be sure to check the fabric label and buy appropriate sizes if the fabric is likely to shrink. Most nursing scrubs don’t require ironing if they are hung up straight out of the dryer.

Most nursing scrubs don't require ironing if they are hung up promptly after removal from a dryer.
Most nursing scrubs don't require ironing if they are hung up promptly after removal from a dryer.

If there are no restrictions on color or pattern, then buying nursing scrubs can be fun. Modern designs and manufacturers provide a plethora of patterns, colors, and designs to choose from. Before buying nursing scrubs, consider your current or future work environment while shopping. If you are or will be working in a children’s hospital or a pediatrician’s office, then consider buying fun prints and bright colors. You might even consider buying nursing scrubs in fun prints even if you don’t work with children. Having a variety of nursing scrubs on hand can help alleviate the ho-hum aspect of your mandated wardrobe.

Some hospitals require staffers wear scrubs in specific colors.
Some hospitals require staffers wear scrubs in specific colors.

Buying nursing scrubs doesn’t have to be difficult or boring. Remember to check sizes and labels, try them on for comfort, and adhere to any rules. If you are in fact in nursing or working in a hospital, you might quickly turn your focus from scrubs to shoes. Comfortable shoes are essential for nurses and other hospital employees, especially those working 12-hour shifts. Be kind to your feet and back and buy quality, comfortable, good fitting shoes.

Discussion Comments

Wisedly33

My mom is a retired lab tech and she usually wore a long lab coat. Since she wasn't an MD, she didn't wear a white one. She usually wore an aqua or navy lab coat. They really were a necessity because she was working with chemicals and of course, didn't want them on her clothes.

When scrubs got really popular in the mid 80s and everyone was wearing them, I had a couple of sets that I lived in. I took them to college with me and that's what I wore to my 8 a.m. classes. I was an English major, but those scrubs were comfy and were great to throw on when I was too sleepy to find anything that matched. All my scrubs were white or pastel, so I could pick two of nearly anything and match fairly well. I wish I could wear them to work now!

Scrbblchick

Many offices that require plain scrubs will allow patterned scrub jackets, and these are often purchased according to the discipline the person is working in. The techs at my vet's office wear scrub jackets with animals on them. They're really cute.

Some offices may allow the techs or nurses to wear print tops as long as they have plain trousers. This allows a person to express some individuality.

The nice thing about scrubs is that they can withstand hard treatment without falling apart and can be washed over and over and over.

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    • It may be beneficial to buy nursing scrubs that can be safely bleached.
      By: design56
      It may be beneficial to buy nursing scrubs that can be safely bleached.
    • Most nursing scrubs don't require ironing if they are hung up promptly after removal from a dryer.
      By: Rob
      Most nursing scrubs don't require ironing if they are hung up promptly after removal from a dryer.
    • Some hospitals require staffers wear scrubs in specific colors.
      By: pressmaster
      Some hospitals require staffers wear scrubs in specific colors.
    • Individuals who work in a children's hospital should consider purchasing fun print scrubs.
      By: Monkey Business
      Individuals who work in a children's hospital should consider purchasing fun print scrubs.