Contemporary nurses' uniforms-history and traditions

Abstract

This paper explores the literature related to the history and traditions of contemporary nurses' uniforms. It also presents the views of nurses about uniforms following the abandonment of a prescribed uniform for nurses working in a Professorial Nursing Unit in a large Hospital in Victoria. The literature dealing with the question of uniforms focuses on professionalism, status and power, infection control, identity, modesty, symbolism and occupational health and safety. The nurses who participated in the study expressed many of these themes.

Reflections on the practice of facilitating group‐based antenatal education: Should a midwife wear a uniform in the hospital setting?

“…There is a lack of consensus about whether a midwife should wear a uniform 16–20 . The formality of the uniform symbolizes competence and the crisp white uniform sends an implicit message of ‘do not touch’, which might be important because the midwife will be touching the patient/person, so the uniform can demarcate professional boundaries 20–22 …”

“…The positive benefits of midwives wearing a uniform are said to include the following: ease of identification for hospital patients, staff and the public 21–23 together with increased personal confidence for the midwife 23,24 . Some argue that the patient or woman feels safe and secure knowing that the person they are dealing with is a health professional 22 .…”

“…The positive benefits of midwives wearing a uniform are said to include the following: ease of identification for hospital patients, staff and the public 21–23 together with increased personal confidence for the midwife 23,24 . Some argue that the patient or woman feels safe and secure knowing that the person they are dealing with is a health professional 22 . When all members of a discipline wear a professional uniform, a sense of professionalism is projected to the public, 22–24 which is what my Thai midwifery and academic colleagues were saying was important about wearing one.…”

“…When all members of a discipline wear a professional uniform, a sense of professionalism is projected to the public, 22–24 which is what my Thai midwifery and academic colleagues were saying was important about wearing one. Wearing a clean uniform daily has been argued to assist in infection control 20–22 . Even though there are no published papers on uniform wearing by midwives or nurses in Thailand, from my experience I can attest that midwives are expected to wear uniforms.…”

“…Although seen as a positive by many, the conveyance of a sense of power and authority by wearing a uniform has its detractors. According to several authors, 21,25,26 the sense of power and authority that is conveyed by wearing a uniform creates an atmosphere of inequality in both the woman and the midwife, leading the woman to think that she needs the midwife's permission before taking action 17,22,23,26,27 . The uniform might create more interpersonal detachment and less relationship 27 .…”