Stupid Q about clothes and jewellery

[bambi]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am coming to the US for a 2 month elective soon and I was wondering about a couple of things. In the UK, we have to be bare below the elbows, nothing but a plain wedding band is allowed, no sleeves, watches, nail varnish etc. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I know the answer but I was wondering if there is anything not allowed in the US? Also do you actually wear white coats all the time? They don't exist in hospitals here anymore and haven't for years! I will be doing a surgical elective and was wondering if you are mostly just in scrubs or actually wear a white coat?

 

[cabinbuilder]

I am coming to the US for a 2 month elective soon and I was wondering about a couple of things. In the UK, we have to be bare below the elbows, nothing but a plain wedding band is allowed, no sleeves, watches, nail varnish etc. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I know the answer but I was wondering if there is anything not allowed in the US? Also do you actually wear white coats all the time? They don't exist in hospitals here anymore and haven't for years! I will be doing a surgical elective and was wondering if you are mostly just in scrubs or actually wear a white coat?

Usually the med students and the residents wear a white coat every day. You can have long sleeves. You can have a watch. Depending on the rotation determines what clothes you wear and the attending of course. Usually folks in ER and surgery wear scrubs. IM, FP, etc usually you wear professional attire for rounding. Just remember that jewelry and fake nails breed bacteria. I know we had to have "hand inspection" on the floors to make sure we were in compliance with the no fake nail thing.

On surgery you would most likely be in scrubs most of the time. However, where I did a surgery sub-I we wore professional attire for rounding. Some hospitals don't allow scrubs outside of the OR suite.

 

[bambi]

Usually the med students and the residents wear a white coat every day. You can have long sleeves. You can have a watch. Depending on the rotation determines what clothes you wear and the attending of course. Usually folks in ER and surgery wear scrubs. IM, FP, etc usually you wear professional attire for rounding. Just remember that jewelry and fake nails breed bacteria. I know we had to have "hand inspection" on the floors to make sure we were in compliance with the no fake nail thing.

On surgery you would most likely be in scrubs most of the time. However, where I did a surgery sub-I we wore professional attire for rounding. Some hospitals don't allow scrubs outside of the OR suite.

Can you wear an engagement ring?

Hand inspection? If we don't wash our hands the second we step onto a ward and in between every patient we get yelled at so I'm pretty much expecting things to be less strict than that, it's just how strict basically?

 

[McGillGrad]

You'll be fine. There is no concept of bacterial spread in US hospitals when compared to the UK. You can dress as your consultants do. Full sleeves, watches and rings.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Can you wear an engagement ring?

Hand inspection? If we don't wash our hands the second we step onto a ward and in between every patient we get yelled at so I'm pretty much expecting things to be less strict than that, it's just how strict basically?

Yes, you can wear your rings. We just had hand inspection for false fingernails. I trained in South Texas where MRSA is the norm so they try to cut down on fomites.

I never wear a ring since I've seen too many little old ladies get bad skin tears from healthcare worker's rings snagging on them. Can be pretty nasty and slow to heal.

 

[Winged Scapula]

To echo what others have stated:

1) you can wear long sleeves, rings, watches, etc. in the US (except of course when scrubbing)

2) white coats are generally worn; they are handy on a surgical rotation to carry a snack, book or articles to read, pens, small bills/change for drinks, etc. It is also handy for carrying dressing supplies, trauma shears, etc.

The schedules for surgical rotations are much less humane in the US when compared to the UK; you cannot count on having enough time to go back to the call room or wherever they allow you to leave your bag to grab lunch, etc. I would advise you to get a student (hip length) white coat.

3) on *some* surgical rotations, at *some* hospitals, they allow you to wear scrubs. Others require professional clothes outside of the OR, on rounds, in clinic. Best to check with the residents at the program where you are rotating; do not count on the program coordinator to really know what the expectations/norm is.

 

[bambi]

Good, I was planning to just get a white coat at the book shop and then wear what I would wear here until someone tells me to put on some scrubs or something. It will be nice to wear sleeves!

 

[Winged Scapula]

Good, I was planning to just get a white coat at the book shop and then wear what I would wear here until someone tells me to put on some scrubs or something. It will be nice to wear sleeves!

Yes, US hospitals are cold so the white coat also serves to keep you warmer.

 

[Jolie South]

Yes, US hospitals are cold so the white coat also serves to keep you warmer.

Yea, you'll definitely need the sleeves.