Ever wonder how to spruce up your nurse’s uniform? Even as a nurse, you have the option to transform yourself into a fashionista during your work day.

Nurses didn’t have as many options in the past. Nursing uniforms have certainly evolved over the past century. Previously, nurses wore large caps and long dresses; “an image of feminine virtue and professionalism that enforced social distinctions,” according to “RN: The Past Present and Future of the Nurses’s Uniform” on J. Morgan Puett’s website

The nursing uniform truly began changing in the 1960s when more men entered the profession. By the late 1970s, the “elastic band pantsuit,” now known as scrubs, was introduced as the new daily apparel for nurses. “Popular because they are unisex, pajama-comfortable, inexpensive and easy to clean (since they are not white), scrubs soon became a standard for a wide variety of hospital workers,” the article said.

Earning a degree in nursing and working as a nurse offers many benefits, and one of them is the freedom to wear and accessorize your  uniform the way you want (while still following your company’s dress code). Nowadays, there are many different companies that sell scrubs, and they can be worn in various designs and shades of color.

Are you curious how to make your nurse’s uniform stand out at the clinic or hospital you work at? Here are several ideas to bring a splash of personality into your everyday work.

Wear Bright Colors or Designs

When you think of a nurse’s uniform, you may think of the basic white or blue scrubs, but there are many other options. For women, there are cardigan-style scrub jackets, fashionable scrub pants, 5-pocket drawstring pants with a boot-leg cut, trendy white lab coats or fun designs and animal prints. For men, there are cargo drawstring pants, sporty v-neck scrub tops or a warm-up scrub jacket. There are several stores and websites that cater to male and female nurses, including scrubsandbeyond.com, scrubsinfashion.com, and daybydayscrubs.com.

Accessorize Your Daily Accessories

You no longer need to walk around the white halls of a hospital wearing a silver stethoscope or a drab surgical cap. Crafty ideas on how to spruce up your nurse’s uniform are now featured on social media websites, like Pinterest healthcare boards, and have become increasingly popular and incredibly useful. Also, websites like Etsy sell decorated covers for stethoscopes, brightly colored surgical caps, handmade ID badges,  and fancy lanyards/badge holders to provide an extra pep in your step.

Shoes: For Comfort and Style

As a nurse or a nursing student, you are constantly on your feet, and it is important to invest in a pair of shoes that will be comfortable, but what if you could mix style with comfort? Over the past few years, nurses’ shoes have been making headway in the fashion department. According to The Trendy Nurse, trusted brands in the medical industry have launched their own version of trendy nurse shoes. If you’re a woman and looking to bring out your inner fashionista, wear flexible clogs with animal prints or trendy tennis shoes. If you’re a male, you might choose a shoe with more of a sporty flair or the functionality of Crocs. 

With the challenges that nurses face on a daily basis, it’s inspiring to add a little magic to their day by tossing on a sparkly stethoscope or wearing trendy shoes. Sometimes it’s the small things that make a big difference in someone’s day.

What are ways you bring flair to your nurse’s uniform? Share your ideas and tips with other nurses and nursing students in our comment section below or on our Facebook page.