Do you have to be a nurse to wear scrubs? If you are a receptionist, can you wear them to work? ?

Question

I got a job as a data entry clerk at a medical office. I am not a nurse, nor do I plan to become one. But i was wondering, are you supposed to be a nurse before you can wear scrubs or is it like against the code or something to wear scrubs if you are not a nurse or higher than a nurse. I dont want people people to think im like a hoax or something...

Answer 1

Scrubs come in different colours and with patterns but they are for health care workers.. really . you can wear them in your leisure time because the pants have elastic waistband and are available in all different colours and with designs or without..  but a receptionist should wear something a little bit more sophisticated.. A receptionist is the first person a visitor to the company sees and as a nurse or health care worker one also has to adhere to other rules.. not a lot of make up.. hair tied back or below shoulder lenght.. no rings with stones, only flat ones as they can injure the patient.. no long fingernails .. no red or coloured nail polish.. only pastel coloured nail polish.. no perfume but deo of course.. comfortable shoes with no heels.. because you have to transfer the patient and with heels you don't have the proper body alignment.. and you as a receptionist can wear make up and nice earrings and a bit of a slight flowery light perfume, nail polish and higher heeled shoes and you can wear a dress a skirt or whatever else looks smart...

Answer 2

No hard and fast rule.  

In fact, it would be kinda fun wearing scrubs as street clothes. Set a new fashion.

Other new trends that need setting

1. Wear painter's white caps and/or  judge's robes in an office

2. Wear butcher's aprons in school

.  

Answer 3

There's no law against it-the office may have a dress code.

I will say, unless they supply them, you can find street clothes just as comfortable and a lot less expensive.

Also, since the idea behind wearing scrubs is infection control, it is kind of bogus to wear them if you aren't exposed to body fluids.

Answer 4

Uhhhh .... as the receptionist, I don't think you'd be expected to wear scrubs.

Of course, policy may vary, and you'd have to check with your office manager about what is appropriate attire .........

Something to keep in mind, though ... if you're in scrubs, everyone will assume that you are a medical professional.  Which may be to your disadvantage when someone pukes in the waiting room ........ ?

Answer 5

Ask the office manager what to wear.  Most offices have everyone wear scrubs.  

In our ER the clerks and data entry people all wear scrubs, but that varies in each department.

Some departments are required to all wear a special color.

Answer 6

well, you don't want people to think you are one of those "wanna be nurse" girls when people eventually do find out that you are not a nurse especially on the 1st day at work when people ask you around the coffee maker "so what do you do here" and you reply "data clerk" you'll get an awkward look from them and then you'll feel like a wanna be. Just ask your immediate supervisor. I know that most clinics prefer all of the staff that interacts with patients (receptionists, m.a's, lvn's, r.n's) to wear scrubs, find out if their is a certain color or style though before you go on a scrub shopping spree though. However it does depend on patient contact also.

Answer 7

If there are other data clerks working there, follow their lead. It is your best bet to just ask the office manager. Its different in each office. I know office managers that wear scrubs. In the medical store where I buy my scrubs, most of the workers wear scrubs.

To add to what Vera is saying...don't wear too much Jewelry..ie  wear only one ring, not one on every finger

I have seen people do this and it drives me crazy!