Why Snoopy Is My Best Friend

I’ve been reading a lot in the nursing journals and the press lately about the return of white nursing scrubs. The journalists, doctors, hospital administrators and clothing designers are all out there telling nurses that our choice to wear nurse scrubs makes us look unprofessional. A return to traditional nursing uniforms, they claim, is a chance to take our place as the respected professionals that we are. I have one thing to say to that – get your cotton-picking hands off my cotton nursing scrubs!

Some of the most important tools in my nursing toolbox are hanging in my closet. My nursing scrubs are a colorful rainbow of familiar characters and bright, cheery prints. Part of the reason is that I’m just a big kid myself, and my job gives me an excuse to wear all my favorite characters every day. But there’s another reason that I choose pediatric nurse scrubs printed with hearts, butterflies, angels and funky little cars.

Sometimes, the things that I have to do as a nurse can be scary to small children. White coats and businesslike nurses’ uniforms can add to the unfamiliarity and make things even harder on a child. Colorful print nurse scrubs make a great distraction when I have to do a procedure that a child might find uncomfortable or intimidating. I’ve learned a few neat little tricks that help set kids at ease, which makes my job a lot easier.

Some of my favorite prints are from Peaches Scrubs. I’ve had kids counting the pink elephants on my Peaches Jungle Jam scrub top while I take their blood pressure, or picking out their favorite kitty or puppy on my Peaches Uniforms cardigan top in their Pet Patch print.

Even when I don’t specifically use the designs on my nurse scrubs to help distract an apprehensive child, I think that they make a difference. A nurse wearing cartoon angels is just friendlier looking than one dressed in sterile white. In addition, I’m far more comfortable in a set of nurse scrubs than in a white, starched dress. It’s easier to do my job when I’m not worrying about what’s showing when I bend over.

As far as looking more professional – professionalism comes from within. I can’t imagine being more professional than choosing tools – including my clothing – that fit the job that I’m doing and make it easier to do.