When you consider some of the most iconic and influential uniforms you would probably have a list that would include the London beefeaters, airline cabin crew and indeed, the crew of Star Trek – my personal, geeky preference.
- Originally published 3rd October, 2011
However, to judge a student nurses uniform on its appearance alone sort of misses the point. My own uniform requires black trousers, black shoes and a light grey tunic. It has to be clean and fully ironed each day, ready for me to turn up at my placement area.
Having spent some time around campus listening to the opinions of other students, I am frankly surprised at some people’s utter hatred for the uniform. I can appreciate that it is not the most comfortable of things to wear and it might not be hugely flattering, but if people could see beyond these things than they might find a new appreciation for what they wear.
Our uniforms – more than anything else – are symbols of the hard work and dedication that is required of us in order to progress to the role of staff nurse which, in turn, will then require us to wear another uniform with a different set of values attached to it. As members of this – our chosen profession – we really should take pride in the work that we do and there is no easier way to convey this to members of the public than through the uniform we wear. It is our advertisement to the world; it not only reflects on us as individuals but helps to shape people’s opinions on the entire profession.
You may say that it is easy for me to sit here and talk about the merits of a student nurse’s uniform, but if people can try to look beyond the physical garment and see the uniform for what it represents, then we might find that our training isn’t quite so uncomfortable.
