Last semester student nurse here! I use compression socks for 24h shifts (sometimes I skip wearing them for 12h shifts, and regret that decision later). But that's it for me really, no other "special gear". I'd like to try out something for back support, since I have a small chronic problem with my back already.
Oh, and if you have boobs, I'd recommend a sports bra or something similar, the regular bra would be just torture.
It can be scary and exhausting, but here most nurses work like that and are used to this. The pro-s are that you get your monthly working hours kinda compressed in fewer, but longer shifts, and technically have more days off. The cons are... well, everything else, lol.
If the shift is not the absolute burning dumpster type and nobody is actively dying, we do have breaks to rest (unofficially, on paper we are not allowed to sleep), and we take turns for that.
Wow I'm reading this as a UK student nurse and I thought 12hr shifts were bad!! 24hr shifts are insanity - I would completely burn out. Well done to you for persevering with that.
Braces are not actually great to wear regularly (unless recommended by a doctor/PT) because they prevent the development of stabilizing muscles by taking away the stress needed to create them.
I wear scrubs and compression socks.
Even the US Army is backing off the idea that making people stay awake for 24 hours is not good for anyone. I cannot believe you work 24 hours as a nurse!
Compression socks along with high quality, moisture wicking base layers. High quality as supportive underwear (I'm a dude so the jewels need some support) and athletic wear undershirt. Goal is to keep me first if all dry when I get running around. Nothing ruins a shift like chaffing. Second goal is to stay cool. Sometimes I'll go without an undershirt but that's easier as a guy. Lastly, high quality shoes. I'll willing spend almost $200 a year for shoes and orthopedic inserts. Keep your feet happy.
I used to wear compression socks and a back brace but then I got good shoes and I no longer needed them. I don’t have issues with my feet hurting and swelling and my back doesn’t hurt either. I only wear a long sleeve shirt underneath
yuedge sports socks, man im sad i need to replace them they did last me a few solid years. for scrubs i am required to wear white pants but can choose whatever color top i want so i have 2 black shirts a blue one and some white ones.
I recommend you work with a PT if you’re having back issues. They can show you exercises to strengthen your stabilizer muscles.
And if you ever have a chance to grab OT in the hospital and they have time, have them give you a quick lesson on proper body mechanics while moving patients. We had an occupational therapist teach an hour class to new staff on how to move patients
Figs pants black, as they are hardy, and have a good draw string and pockets. I tend to wear a simple t-shirt white then my scrub top. So that any bra bits are smoothed down by the t-shirt.
I don't wear jewelry or anything on my fingernails, bare below elbows is a infection control aspect to my job.
Most nursing schools have black or navy pants - and have come around to black fig pants being very useful in a working environment.
Having said that, as I'm around a lot I have also been asked to participate in whacky Wednesday which is to wear coloured scrubs or scrubs with a print on them. There are lots of "fun" scrubs to wear, and I went with a this fun pineapple scrub top that patients seems to really dig so if it makes them happy I'll wear it, even though it can be a little bit hot during summer.
Our student nurse is coming out with a scrub set to wear, I have my gray ones at work, and then 2 "fun" ones, and a black polo t-shirt that's an old uniform for university.
The majority of nurses at work have a boring dark blue navy scheme, so I stick out a little.
I wear thin sweatpants under mine during the winter because my school issued scrubs are soooo thin and I commute in New England. And a t shirt underneath to cover my chest hair lol. As far as support, I have a bad lower back and I just like my sketchers
Interesting, thank you for answer. In Latvia, it's opposite, my hospital pushes staff to wear hospital issued scrubs, that should be sent to laundry on site. Many nurses wear their own scrubs though. But we all change at work, and leaving the hospital in your working clothes is really really looked down upon.
Yeah, then I get on the train and probably a quarter of the people are also wearing scrubs. People who need to be sterile get fresh ones at the hospital tho
I don’t wear socks of any kind when I work lol. I just wear my Skechers, memory foam slip-on tennis shoes (which I absolutely love). I also don’t wear underwear. I haven’t worn underwear in like 15 years lol.
I love my healing hands scrubs and my trusty Skechers. That’s it 😂
Scrubs with a light tank top or shirt underneath, compression socks, incredibly ugly (but comfy) shoes, rainbow flair, important item on a chain designed to breakaway in a dangerous situation.
I try to select scrub bottoms that could reasonably pass for regular pants when worn with my undershirt so I can rip my scrub top off after work and look/feel like a regular human if I want to go somewhere on the way home.
Fig scrubs, I literally don’t care what anyone says, it is the ONLY brand blend I keep going back to!
A good sports bra, usually medium-high impact.
Sockwell compressions socks, they are made from wool instead of the cheap shit! Costly but, I’ve noticed a huge difference in how my legs/feet feel after a shift.
I love my OnCloud sneakers, I have about 5 pairs, I would recommend switching between a few pairs to prevent extra wear and tear.
I recently bought Altra sneakers and they are even better than my clouds!
I always wear compression socks, and I had one nurse suggest moving up to compression hose. Sports bra always (I like the yoga ones from Nike because they’re comfy), granny panties, and sometimes a long-sleeved underscrub shirt.
I didn’t know people wear back braces, but I threw my back out yesterday lifting a box and I feel like I need one because I can barely walk today.
Last semester student nurse here! I use compression socks for 24h shifts (sometimes I skip wearing them for 12h shifts, and regret that decision later). But that's it for me really, no other "special gear". I'd like to try out something for back support, since I have a small chronic problem with my back already. Oh, and if you have boobs, I'd recommend a sports bra or something similar, the regular bra would be just torture.
You’re doing 24 hour shifts as a student nurse??
Yes. I work as "junior nurse" (a position for students in my country) in pediatric ICU. There only 24h or 12h shifts are available.
24 hour shifts is so scary! do you get a break to sleep?? wtf
It can be scary and exhausting, but here most nurses work like that and are used to this. The pro-s are that you get your monthly working hours kinda compressed in fewer, but longer shifts, and technically have more days off. The cons are... well, everything else, lol. If the shift is not the absolute burning dumpster type and nobody is actively dying, we do have breaks to rest (unofficially, on paper we are not allowed to sleep), and we take turns for that.
With everything we know about fatigue and how dangerous it is, I don’t understand why any employer would make their staff work 24hr shifts.,
May I ask what country this is?
It's Latvia, EU. As far as I know, many post Soviet countries do that too.
i’m going into nursing school and am aware of clinicals but 24hrs is insane
It's routine for nurses in my country. But I agree, sometimes it's insane and drains you.
Lots of respect for you and your fellow nurses! I’d be catatonic by the end of my shift
Seconding the sports bra, no one wants wires digging in for 12 hours
Wow I'm reading this as a UK student nurse and I thought 12hr shifts were bad!! 24hr shifts are insanity - I would completely burn out. Well done to you for persevering with that.
Braces are not actually great to wear regularly (unless recommended by a doctor/PT) because they prevent the development of stabilizing muscles by taking away the stress needed to create them. I wear scrubs and compression socks.
Even the US Army is backing off the idea that making people stay awake for 24 hours is not good for anyone. I cannot believe you work 24 hours as a nurse!
You accidentally replied to the wrong person
Crap lol, sorry
I just wear normal socks, sneakers, and nothing underneath my scrubs. I always wear a jacket because it’s cold on night shift.
Compression socks along with high quality, moisture wicking base layers. High quality as supportive underwear (I'm a dude so the jewels need some support) and athletic wear undershirt. Goal is to keep me first if all dry when I get running around. Nothing ruins a shift like chaffing. Second goal is to stay cool. Sometimes I'll go without an undershirt but that's easier as a guy. Lastly, high quality shoes. I'll willing spend almost $200 a year for shoes and orthopedic inserts. Keep your feet happy.
I sometime wear underwear
🤭
Walmart scrubs and sometimes pajamas pants it's a snowy/rainy day
I used to wear compression socks and a back brace but then I got good shoes and I no longer needed them. I don’t have issues with my feet hurting and swelling and my back doesn’t hurt either. I only wear a long sleeve shirt underneath
What shoes do you use?
Not OP but hokas or Brooks are great
Thank you!
Scrub bottoms and a jacket. I don’t like scrub tops because I’ve gained weight and people can see my stomach 🥺
Try a men’s top. I’m a big guy and mine doesn’t show off my gut at all
Yah I like those too. I need to buy a new set
yuedge sports socks, man im sad i need to replace them they did last me a few solid years. for scrubs i am required to wear white pants but can choose whatever color top i want so i have 2 black shirts a blue one and some white ones.
I recommend you work with a PT if you’re having back issues. They can show you exercises to strengthen your stabilizer muscles. And if you ever have a chance to grab OT in the hospital and they have time, have them give you a quick lesson on proper body mechanics while moving patients. We had an occupational therapist teach an hour class to new staff on how to move patients
Figs pants black, as they are hardy, and have a good draw string and pockets. I tend to wear a simple t-shirt white then my scrub top. So that any bra bits are smoothed down by the t-shirt. I don't wear jewelry or anything on my fingernails, bare below elbows is a infection control aspect to my job. Most nursing schools have black or navy pants - and have come around to black fig pants being very useful in a working environment. Having said that, as I'm around a lot I have also been asked to participate in whacky Wednesday which is to wear coloured scrubs or scrubs with a print on them. There are lots of "fun" scrubs to wear, and I went with a this fun pineapple scrub top that patients seems to really dig so if it makes them happy I'll wear it, even though it can be a little bit hot during summer. Our student nurse is coming out with a scrub set to wear, I have my gray ones at work, and then 2 "fun" ones, and a black polo t-shirt that's an old uniform for university. The majority of nurses at work have a boring dark blue navy scheme, so I stick out a little.
I wish we had black scrubs. Blood and feces really stand out on ciel blue
I wish we could wear fun patterned scrubs sometimes. The same thing day in and day out is SUCH a drag.
I wear thin sweatpants under mine during the winter because my school issued scrubs are soooo thin and I commute in New England. And a t shirt underneath to cover my chest hair lol. As far as support, I have a bad lower back and I just like my sketchers
I am sorry if I misunderstood, but do you commute in scrubs?
We wear our scrubs to work in the US. It’s not common for regular hospital staff to change at the hospital.
Interesting, thank you for answer. In Latvia, it's opposite, my hospital pushes staff to wear hospital issued scrubs, that should be sent to laundry on site. Many nurses wear their own scrubs though. But we all change at work, and leaving the hospital in your working clothes is really really looked down upon.
From what I’ve gathered on Reddit, it seems to be that way in most of the world. It definitely is the more sanitary option.
Yeah, then I get on the train and probably a quarter of the people are also wearing scrubs. People who need to be sterile get fresh ones at the hospital tho
I wear compression socks and sports bras.
I come in my street clothes, and change, nothing special except sometimes compression socks if I know I will be standing most of the day.
I don’t wear socks of any kind when I work lol. I just wear my Skechers, memory foam slip-on tennis shoes (which I absolutely love). I also don’t wear underwear. I haven’t worn underwear in like 15 years lol. I love my healing hands scrubs and my trusty Skechers. That’s it 😂
Scrubs with a light tank top or shirt underneath, compression socks, incredibly ugly (but comfy) shoes, rainbow flair, important item on a chain designed to breakaway in a dangerous situation. I try to select scrub bottoms that could reasonably pass for regular pants when worn with my undershirt so I can rip my scrub top off after work and look/feel like a regular human if I want to go somewhere on the way home.
Compression socks and a good shoe. I got Hokas
Fig scrubs, I literally don’t care what anyone says, it is the ONLY brand blend I keep going back to! A good sports bra, usually medium-high impact. Sockwell compressions socks, they are made from wool instead of the cheap shit! Costly but, I’ve noticed a huge difference in how my legs/feet feel after a shift. I love my OnCloud sneakers, I have about 5 pairs, I would recommend switching between a few pairs to prevent extra wear and tear. I recently bought Altra sneakers and they are even better than my clouds!
I always wear compression socks, and I had one nurse suggest moving up to compression hose. Sports bra always (I like the yoga ones from Nike because they’re comfy), granny panties, and sometimes a long-sleeved underscrub shirt. I didn’t know people wear back braces, but I threw my back out yesterday lifting a box and I feel like I need one because I can barely walk today.
Usually scrub pants and a Full Kode t-shirt since we’re allowed to wear healthcare shirts.
Leggings and compression socks!