Essay On Nurse Uniforms

Dating back to the 18th century, the typical nurse uniform for women consisted of a modest white, ankle-length dress, an apron, cuffs, and a head covering for easy identification. Since then, nurses’ uniforms have undergone many alterations and transformations, morphing from the days of the floor-length dress with an apron to today’s variety of colorful and printed scrubs. These modifications are most noticeable during the mid-1900s, for it was during that time the leaders of the nursing profession began questioning the purpose of the white outfits asking questions like: “Does it really serve any useful purpose in the modern hospital? Is it really a symbol of thoughtfulness or just a barrier between nurse and patient?” (Massow C8). Additionally,

Starting in the 1950s, hems of dresses and skirts began to rise showing more of women’s arms, shoulders, and legs. As stated before, nurse uniforms in the 1920s were ankle length along with long sleeves, creating a very conservative vibe. However, as women’s clothing was changing in the fashion industry, nurses’ fashion also followed. Female nurses began wearing short-sleeved dresses that reached shortly below the knees (Figure 3). The burden that the heavy, large white uniforms had on not only the nurse but also the patient – they were receiving less care as a consequence of the nurses’ limited capabilities – is one of the few reasons alterations took place. The social and political atmosphere of these times were becoming more liberal and more empowering for women, leading to a change in their appearance. The attire in the workplace changed with the social movements, which were strengthening women’s rights; the feminist movement of the 1960s helped influence the fashion movement for styles that support women. Women were becoming less defined on their clothing and what they should be wearing and more known for their actions and