The Importance of Being in Uniform

By Jordie Papa

Image courtesy of Uniform Destination

When you mention the word uniform to most folks, they immediately conjure an image in their heads of a soldier, sailor, firefighter or a cop.  The first thing that springs to mind isn’t usually a doctor, nurse or other healthcare worker.  Yet just like other regimented professions, those who labor in the hospitals, clinics and private practice are every bit as recognizable by their uniforms.

How looking the part made the medic

Just as actors playing a part don costumes to set the mood, doctors, nurses and other medical technicians have donned various uniforms over the centuries.  While doctors switched from black jackets to white in the 19^th century, uniforms worn by nurses have changed dramatically since that time.  In the 1800’s nursing uniforms were nearly identical to those of maids, even down to the inclusion of a white apron.  By the first world war, nurse uniforms and nun’s habits weren’t all that different, since nuns back then used to routinely serve as nurses and it wasn’t unusual during that era for nurses to become nuns who served the medical profession.  During WWII, nurses were dressed from head to toe in white. This garb continued through the Korean conflict.

How Scrubs changed the face of medical wear

Image courtesy of wikimedia

While the history of modern medical apparel had their origins during the 1940’s, when surgeons and surgical nurses began donning gowns or drapes to protect their patients from infection, it wasn’t until the 50’s and 60’s that the use of white medical scrubs were universally accepted as the de facto uniform for surgical staff.  The problems with white when working in an operating room is obvious.  They soil easily and they tend to reflect harsh lighting in a way that’s hard on the eyes.  That problem was remedied in the 70’s as the first tinted scrubs came onto the market in blue, green and pink. 

These aren’t your grandparent’s scrubs

Today, medical scrubs come in all kinds of colors, fabrics and prints.  They are manufactured by top clothing designers whose other efforts grace the runways in fashion shows the world over.  Best of all, scrubs are no longer relegated to surgical staff. Every medical professional has access to an array of scrubs that can be tailored not only to enhance the appearance, but to conform to the wearer’s build and work environment like no medical uniform that has come before.

Just as the medical profession itself has evolved from an industry that just 50-years ago reused syringes and intravenous bottles whose needles were sharpened on whetstones, todays multibillion-dollar medical industry demands personnel to not only act but look professional.  With the styles and selection of medical scrubs available today, there is no excuse for any healthcare worker to look anything other than capable, caring and competent.

Image courtesy of Uniform Destination

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One of the best reasons to visit one of our five locations is to take advantage of our factory-direct pricing and knowledgeable, helpful staff. This way we can help you decide which designer scrubs are right for you while saving you money.

Jordie Papa is owner of Uniform Destination with four locations in North Florida.