Polka dots. Flower prints. Zebra stripes. Scrubs come in a variety of colors and patterns that enable nurses and other healthcare staff to express themselves. But that freedom can cause confusion for patients – and even put them in danger. To address these issues, many hospitals are considering policies to make their uniforms, well, more uniform.
Getting nurses to comply with these changes, however, is easier said than done. You’ll face complaints that dress codes lower morale or suppress your nurses’ individuality. Despite the blowback, the long-term benefits of your policies will far outweigh any resistance you face in the short-term.
Here are some tips that can make getting your staff on board with a new image program a smoother process:
Give ample notice.
Achieving work-life balance is difficult for nurses who spend anywhere from eight to twelve hours per shift. Be mindful that staff members have priorities outside of work — like family, hobbies and, let’s face it, sleep — and provide them with plenty of time to shop for new scrubs. One organization gave employees four months to prepare for dress code changes.
Explain why it matters.
Sure, you could just tell your nurses they can’t wear sweatshirts. But your policies have a better chance of sticking if you can prove that they increase patient safety and satisfaction, and there’s plenty of evidence. Studies show that patients doubt the skill level of staff who look more at home in the gym than the hospital.
But perception is key in other ways. According to an article in American Nurse Today, patients are more likely to ask questions about their health concerns when they can identify who’s in charge and what role each staff member plays in their care.
And it’s not just patients who benefit. A clear dress code is one of the criteria for achieving Magnet status, a designation held by only six percent of U.S. hospitals. To your nurses, the advantages “magnet culture” — more autonomy, and a focus on education and leadership — will outweigh any perceived hassle caused by new policies.
Ask for their input.
People like being involved in decisions that affect them. At the Medical University of South Carolina, administrators assembled a task force to help designate the colors each nursing department would wear. They created a list of preferred options, then allowed nurses hospital-wide to vote for their favorites using an online system.
The result? Even nurses who were initially on the fence supported the policy change.
A word of caution if you go this route: err toward a simple color palette. While it should come as no surprise that a white coat is preferred for doctors and nurse leaders, a recent study in the Journal of Nursing Administration noted patients are more likely to trust nurses wearing solid colors than those in prints.
Provide your staff with incentives.
Individuality isn’t the only thing affected by uniform changes — money is a factor, too. A good quality set of scrubs costs anywhere from $25-$50. Many hospital systems are lessening the blow to their nurses’ wallets by providing a one-time or annual stipend toward the purchase of new scrubs, or providing a number of scrub sets — one to three is typical — to their nurses, free of charge.
Offer uniform choices.
You're going to tell your staff they have to wear one color to work every day, but that doesn't mean you have to limit all of their choices. Most scrub-wearing professionals have brand, style and/or fabric preferences — whether based on what fits their body type the best or has the number of pockets they prefer or keeps them cool throughout a long shift. Be sure to find a vendor who can help you offer your staff plenty of uniform options within your color and budget guidelines.
Allow staff to lead by example.
Once you’ve chosen a vendor for your scrubs, try organizing a fashion show with your staff modeling the different style and color options, then have employees choose their favorites. As part of that fashion show, raffle off a couple of sets.
Then, select some of your nurse leaders to wear the new scrubs around the workplace for a week. This enables staff to see how the uniforms do in the field, while making the dress code appear “natural, self-evident, and legitimate.” In other words, nurses are less likely to challenge your dress code once they see it in action.
Learn about Smarter Solutions for Uniform Programs. Click here >