Nurses in Uniform

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the origins of the working clothes of nurses in western countries. The paper then looks at the argument against uniforms that posits that since the status of nurses has changed, they want little to do with the white uniforms of the past. The paper discusses, however, the need for nurses to be recognized by their peers and professionals in the medical setting and to be easily recognized by patients. The paper concludes that the predominant consensus is that uniforms do a play a vital role in the day to day activities of nurses.

From the Paper:

"The 1960's and 1970's saw the return of white, made more popular by the rising use of polyester, which was both easy to clean, but also comfortable and needed no ironing. It was in the 1980's that uniforms became, well, less uniform. Personal style started to creep into the medical field, and operating room scrubs became more commonplace outside surgery and around hospitals.
"The image of the nurse in modern society is often linked to the stereotypical vision of a legion of selfless care givers wearing a uniform. In literature, film, and television, nurses are easily recognized by what they wear and it is this representation that shows us that the nurses' uniform appears to be central in any public portrayal of this field of medicine. Although the design of nurse's uniforms have changed over time and it has tended to mirror prevailing fashions in clothing, the importance of uniform clothing has always been of great concern for nurses as well as patients, medical staff and the general public. Of primary concern are the needs to establish a proper form for identity, a need for professional respect and recognition, and patient satisfaction."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gordon, S., Keathley, S.D., Kummer, D., Wood, G., Bradford, B., Dreifuerst, K.T., et al. (June 2006). Nurses in White? Still a pressing issue. Nursing, 36(6), 44-45.
• LaSala, K.B., and Nelson, J. (Feb. 2005). Professional Issues: What Contributes to Professionalism? MEDSURG Nursing, 14(1), 63-67.
• Spragley, F., and Francis, K. (Oct. 2006). Nursing Uniforms: Professional Symbol or Outdated Relic? Nursing Management, 37(10), 55-58.

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