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What Do Nurses Wear?

Sophie Diego

Compared to hundreds of professions, nurses receive the short end of the stick when it comes to traditional uniforms.

For instance, college professors, accountants, pilots, and military soldiers have absolutely nothing in common—but they’re all highly recognizable due to their selection of iconic attire. 

On the other hand, our healthcare workers are stuck with scrubs, PPE, lab coats, and hairnets. There’s not much room for creativity, is there? In some instances, hospitals let their medical practitioners choose their own set of scrubs.

And when thinking about ‘what do nurses wear,’ images of brightly colored matching sets, with fun patterns often come to mind.

You’re also free to choose your own pair of sneakers, as long as they have closed-toe shoes. So, these professionals do have some freedom to choose their attire.

But, in terms of accessories, big and bold statement pieces are usually discouraged, given the annoyance when fitted with scrubs and hairnets. With that said, you can probably get away with some simple jewelry and a cute hair tie. 

If you consider yourself a part-time fashionista and a full-time practitioner, you’re probably wondering what do nurses wear. So we’ll answer all of your healthcare fashion queries, ranging from:

What Is A Nurse?

Simply put, a nurse is a healthcare worker. They care for patients in a variety of ways, including drug administration, vital sign checking, and hygienic cleanup.

There are many different nursing professions within the medical field, and you can find nurses in the ICU, Labor and Delivery unit, and the surgery department. 

Of course, nurses aren’t exclusive to hospitals. Schools, military camps, airports, and retirement homes rely on these medical practitioners to care for their workers, patients, and community. 

History Of Nurses

Empathy for the ill and the need to take care of one another are inherently human traits. For instance, for thousands of years, doctors and caregivers sought to remedy rheumatism—from Charlemagne’s reign to the middle ages and beyond.

However, modern nursing only got its start in the mid-19th century, when English statistician Florence Nightingale was the first to pioneer this newfound career. 

During that time, women were deemed unequipped to handle the burden of sick and dying patients. But Nightingale was quick to shut out any skeptics thanks to her involvement in Britain’s Crimean War in 1854. 

And, thanks to her hard work, soldiers were ready to get back on the battlefield while death rates continued to plummet. Over the years, Nightingale played an influential role in modern nursing and she inspired many practitioners to follow in her footsteps. 

What Do Nurses Wear?

In the golden age of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale is considered the first to iconize the hospital uniform. 

Composed of a puffed sleeve gown, a cap, and a clean apron, it was relatively free of the big and bold embellishments of the 19th century.

If anything, it was designed to be practical, easy, and reusable. Thankfully, the institutional dress code has evolved since then, as medical practitioners swapped their dresses for scrubs instead. 

If you prefer to leave the ‘Florence Nightingale’ look for future Halloween parties, we’ll provide some outfit ideas and styling tips for nursing practitioners to consider.

Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll be able to answer the question, what do nurses wear?

10 Outfit Ideas For Nurses

Despite their simplistic design, these scrubs are definitely ‘out there’ in terms of style.

Composed of a zip-up front, a subtle peplum skirt, and a pair of tapered pants, this nurse uniform features a touch of ‘50s spice due to its slim-fitting silhouette.

It’s a great alternative for practitioners who hate the boxy shape of traditional nursing attire since this matching set is both flattering and chic.

We don’t recommend wearing white Keds in hospital settings, but you can easily make do with a set of blue sneakers for a slight pop of color. 

Hospital uniforms must abide by strict regulations. First, they must be hassle-free. Second, they should guarantee the safety of the worker and the patient in question.

And third, they must be easy to clean. I think it’s safe to say that this simple ensemble checks all three of these boxes. 

Outfitted with teal scrubs, a turquoise undershirt, and a dainty necklace, this model looks ready for a long day at work.

This OOTD keeps things simple and functional during that 12-hour grind. If you’re wondering what kind of shoes do nurses wear? running sneaks are definitely a popular option amongst practitioners. 

Hypebeast scrubs—it’s a niche fashion trend that oddly exists. This outfit is a bit of a hodge-podge. We could consider it a bright Gucci-inspired look mixed with hospital attire. 

Composed of a vibrant green matching set, a black undershirt, and a pair of neon yellow shoes, it’s the kind of ensemble that screams “I’m ready to power through my 12-hour shift” instead of “I wish I was home watching Grey’s Anatomy.”

If you’re looking to accessorize, this ‘what do nurses wear’ guide suggests wearing a printed headband for some added visual interest. 

Blue is considered a traditional color when it comes to hospital scrubs, and for good reason. It’s a hue that’s often associated with tranquility, security, and relaxation.

If you intend to exude the same vibe in your workplace, we suggest this matching set. This shirt and pants combo keeps things neutral and subtle during that 12-hour grind. 

Accentuated with a cozy cardigan, it’s the perfect look to consider during those cold winter months.

The printed headscarf is a nice touch too since it helps to keep the hair from falling out of place. For those wondering what type of shoes do nurses wear? you can never go wrong with a simple pair of black walking sneakers. 

Let’s be honest, gray gets a bad rep when it comes to fashion. Often described as gloomy and plain, this hue that’s in between white and black is usually cast aside for brighter shades.

With that said, it’s a great color to consider if you prefer something understated and simple. 

Take, for instance, this outfit, which features a silver-ish set of scrubs paired with black sneakers. If you’re booked for a six-hour shift (or longer), we recommend opting for orthopedic nurse shoes.

They’re usually constructed with padded foam and have ankle support to help mitigate any foot pain. 

Ahh, sage—a color that’s reminiscent of herby pasta, aromatherapy, and traditional medicine. It exudes a sense of relaxation, which is something you should always aim to convey if you’re a medical practitioner. 

This simple yet stylish ensemble features a set of matching green scrubs paired with a stethoscope and white lace-up kicks. Obviously, cream isn’t the best option when it comes to hospital shoes, but you can easily swap them for black or gray shoes instead. 

For those wondering what do nurses wear on a daily basis? this is what usually comes to mind.

We think it’s safe to say that hospitals aren’t fashion shows. Bright patterns and colors aren’t usually worn in the workplace since intricate designs make it easier for stains to show.

With that in mind, you can never go wrong with soft pastel shades. 

Baby blue is a great option to consider since it exudes a tranquil vibe. Accentuated with a red drawstring and a striped pattern, this ‘what do nurses wear’ contender isn’t totally free of style.

If Karl Lagerfeld was a medical practitioner, he would definitely don this ensemble. 

So, you’re scheduled for a grueling eight-hour shift at the hospital. Locked inside, you often resort to dreary colors to match that sullen attitude.

Take this as a sign to emit those positive vibes—after all, time passes by quickly for those who prefer to look on the good side of life. 

This bright ensemble features a lovely shade of lavender. Complemented with gray sneakers, it’s a refreshing alternative compared to mint green and gray.

We suggest topping this ‘what do nurses wear’ contender off with an Apple watch for a sharper look. 

If you hate cleaning stains and messes off of your regular uniform, perhaps it’s time to go back to black or wear another dark shade. This matching set of scrubs comes in a deep navy blue. 

Highlighted with gray sneakers, this ‘what do nurses wear’ outfit idea is oddly flattering and chic. It’s probably due to the color, as navy is known to be quite slimming to wear.

For those on the hunt for the best nurse shoes, we suggest wearing a pair of Adidas, Nike, or New Balance sneakers for a more comfortable alternative. 

For medical professionals, Crocs are usually discouraged when it comes to appropriate footwear. But they’re a great alternative if you prefer to slip-on something more comfortable during your break.

Paired with dark burgundy scrubs, this outfit is semi-vampiric. And the burgundy shade is a great color to consider if you’re nearing Halloween. Plus, it can disguise any blood splatters that may accumulate during work. 

What Types Of Nurse Outfits Can You Get?

As you’ve probably already noticed, nurses are quite limited when it comes to wardrobe options. Scrubs are considered the traditional go-to, and they’re composed of a simple pair of drawstring pants and a T-shirt. 

Of course, you can always opt for additional layerings, such as a cardigan or a long-sleeve undershirt if you’re feeling especially chilly. Other than that, there’s not much room for creativity other than choosing certain colors or patterns. 

If you’re wondering what color scrubs do nurses wear? mint green, teal, pink, and blue are commonly worn in the workforce. It’s rare to come across any patterned alternatives, but that usually depends on the hospital in question.

In terms of other accouterments, surgical masks, hairnets, gloves, and other forms of PPE are considered a requirement rather than an accessory. 

How To Choose The Best Nurse Outfit

In most cases, hospitals will automatically supply their nurses with a set of scrubs.

But, if you’re looking to deviate from traditional teal and blue attire, you’ll be happy to know that the majority of healthcare facilities allow practitioners to source their own uniforms. 

That said, don’t take this as an opportunity to opt for big and bold statement pieces. Scrubs must be practical, versatile, and easy to clean after all. 

A good pair of scrubs should also be plain in silhouette, convenient to store, and easy to get on and off. Plus, some uniforms are designed to be reversible, which is great for nurses who can’t manage to scrub out certain stains. 

Others include multiple pockets and slings to help store pens, petite notebooks, and identification cards. In terms of materials, scrubs are usually made out of cotton, polyester, and spandex.

Also, they should offer a fair degree of breathability and flexibility, given that nurses are always on their feet. 

If you’re wondering what do nurses wear in terms of shoes? it’s always a matter of function over fashion. Of course, it’s best to find a compromise between the two, but most healthcare professionals opt for the latter to help mitigate foot pain.

Most importantly, a good pair of sneakers should offer orthopedic support and impact cushioning to ensure that you stay comfortable during your entire shift. 

Regarding prices, scrubs can vary from $20 to $100 for a half or full set. Shoes can range within the hundreds depending on the brand and design.

All in all, you shouldn’t be particularly worried about spending too much, given that scrubs are designed to be functional first. As a result, they tend to be very timeless clothing pieces. 

How To Style Your Nurse Outfit

Scrubs are considered the antithesis of fashion. Often described as plain and unflattering, they usually convey the dreary atmosphere that most hospitals have.

That said, there are some ways to style your final fit. For those in the mood for a touch of spice, we’ll provide some OOTD inspo for healthcare fashionistas. 

Fashion Tips To Avoid With Your Nurse Outfit

Hospital fashion can be seen as strict to those who prefer trends over uniforms. Unfortunately, scrubs will never be seen as ‘Haute couture’ within the fashion world, but for good reason.

They’re meant to be practical—not stylish or pretty. And for good reason, because this helps ensure the safety of workers and patients. 

With that in mind, we thought it best for this ‘what do nurses wear’ guide to discuss some styling faux pas associated with hospital garb. 

How To Take Care Of Nurse Outfits

Gloves, masks, and shields are usually disinfected professionally or disposed of to ensure complete cleanliness. When it comes to scrubs, nurses have the responsibility to clean their own uniforms at home. 

For those in need of some cleaning tips and tricks, this ‘what do nurses wear’ guide will provide some advice worth considering. 

Best Places To Buy Nurse Outfits

Again, most hospitals provide their workers with scrubs. But, if you’re looking to jazz things up a little in terms of colors and patterns, here are some retailers you can check out.

They each sell lots of scrubs styles that are well worth the money. 

Final Thoughts

Sure, scrubs are considered plain, simple, and boring to the average trendsetter. With that said, they do exude a sense of sophistication, intimidation, and professionalism.

They’re one of the only uniforms that warrant a nod of appreciation and respect from those who understand the work and effort that healthcare practitioners provide every day. 

From our ‘what color scrubs do nurses wear’ section to the ‘what are the best shoes for medical practitioners’ section, we’re confident that we addressed your concerns when it comes to hospital attire.

And to our fellow healthcare workers fighting the pandemic, we hope that our style guide has provided some sort of lightness and positivity that’ll brighten up your day in this relatively dark time. 

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