Virtually all nurses are required to wear scrubs or some type of uniform. Scrubs are comfortable, and now, they can be stylish, too. But finding the best scrubs can be a challenge, especially if you’re a new nurse.
Here are five tips to help you find the best nursing scrubs.
1. Keep Colors in Mind
When you buy your scrubs, keep the colors in mind. Your employer may require a color scheme. Some employers are very picky about colors – so much so that they won’t allow you any other colors for the trim areas.
Find out exactly what color scheme you need, if any, or brand before you start shopping.
If your employer is more relaxed with colors and brands, you have the freedom to choose styles, fits and colors that complement your skin tone and body type.
2. Don’t Skimp on Quality
Quality is important when buying scrubs. Remember that you have to wear them for long periods of time – and often. Good quality scrub tops will last years, while cheap tops may give you a year – at most – of use.
Cheaper scrubs may fray easily in the wash or stain easily. It’s best to invest in a good brand of scrubs that will last longer, be easier to clean and be more comfortable to wear. It’s better to have just one pair of quality scrubs than to have five poor quality ones.
3. Choose a Comfortable Fabric
Scrubs come in a wide range of fabrics, including cotton, polyester blends and other blends. Make sure that the material you choose is soft and comfortable on your skin. Remember that you’ll be wearing your scrubs for many hours, so they should be comfortable.
4. Focus on the Fit
Treat scrubs like you would any other clothing item. Many nurses choose scrubs that are big and baggy. Not only does this create an unprofessional appearance, but the loose fabric could also become a safety hazard.
On the other hand, you don’t want your scrubs to be so tight that they split when you bend or you struggle to move your arms.
Make sure that your scrubs fit properly. There are many different brands of scrubs out there, and some offer a better fit than others. You may have to try a few different brands before you find one that fits you best.
5. Buy Enough
One of the biggest mistakes new nurses make is that they only buy one set of scrubs. Unless you want to wash them before every shift, you should buy at least 2-3 pairs of scrubs. This way, you can wear a fresh, clean pair every shift and without having to scramble to do laundry right before.
Ideally, you should have enough pairs to cover your shifts every week. This will allow you to wash them once a week, which will save you time and frustration.
While we’re on the topic of washing scrubs – make sure that you buy pairs that are fade resistant. You may also want to get color-safe bleach to kill germs without fading your colors.
