From the top of her head to the bottom of her shoes

Working healthcare, as with any profession, requires a certain uniform or code of dress. However, CNAs have very specific requirements to their outfits, even if their boss doesn't specify them. Here are mine, from the top of my head to the bottom of my shoes, and everything (well, almost everything haha) in between.

Hair: Any hair length above the shoulders can be worn down, however I like having my hair out of my face and off my neck. I use the no slip grip ponytails (2 packs usually are $8, I get them anywhere, Walmart, grocery store, wherever) with Suave Extreme Hold hairspray power 10. This combination means my hair doesn't bother me a bit, whether it gets wet in a shower or not. :) Walmart-$2.17

 

Earrings: Your CNA book will tell you to wear stud earrings. Both my jobs allow me to wear whatever earrings I would like to work, so it will depend on your job. I recommend simple yet colorful earrings that match your scrubs.I get my earrings from craft stores when they do jewelry sales, Kohls does fabulous sales...won't spend over $9 for earrings.

 

Scrub tops: Go crazy on these! Holiday scrubs are a BLAST, and the patients love them! Get cute printed ones unless your job doesn't allow those, but you can even dress up the uniform ones by putting a cute bright tank top layered underneath! (which is also good insurance for all the moving we do anyway). I have a zebra printed tank top that spices up my solid scrubs, and I love it :) Something else to keep in mind is if they have a tie in the back. Scrubs are notorious for making us all look boxy, and if you can avoid it with a tie top, do it! I shop for my scrubs at Walmart, Deseret Industries, and Dubs Scrubs (only on their clearance racks though!) New tops are usually around $15. I don't spend more than about $8-10, hands down. (P.S. Save your receipts when buying scrubs or work shoes, gossip around the nurses station this week is that you can write them off on your taxes as a work expense for uniform)

Watch: Must be a face watch. Preferably a less expensive one, considering how much it will get scratched, wet, etc. I get mine from Walmart for about $8 usually. Make sure EVERY number is on the face, I made the mistake of buying a watch that had only 12-3-6-9, and doing vitals took FOREVER! (Man, I want a watch like this! It's adorable! haha)

Scrub pants: There are two kinds. There are elastic band, and then there are crap pants. haha I'm just kidding, but the waist tie scrub pants are the WORST purchase I ever made. I also like my scrub pants to have a right leg pocket in addition to the two waist pockets and one back pocket. You'll find your own preferences. I also like mine to be cut at the bottom of each leg so they don't hug my shoes so tightly, and I think they look better. Again, pants will run you about $15 unless you bargain shop like I do, D.I. has them for around $5 usually.

Pens: Retractable pens. End of story. Get them at any store, or ask your nearest hospice company for them (hospice pens are my very favorite, cause I swear they never die tee hee)

Ted Hose/compression stockings: A great idea for anyone on their feet a lot. They keep the veins in  your legs constricted and prevent varicose veins. Cons-They are extremely hard to get on, and can be very uncomfortable. However, I wear them when I feel like obeying my doctor's orders ;) I wear the waist high, but all my coworkers wear the knee highs, which look like they'll run you about $8 a pair. Mine were way more expensive, they were $60 if I remember right...anyway, you can get them at any medical supply store, or most pharmacies carry them

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Shoes: This is definitely the item I am most picky about. I walk an average of 7 miles in an 8 hour shift (yes, I wear my ipod as a pedometer haha), so I need really good supportive shoes. Not only that, but those shoes have to be water proof because of showers, as well as easy to run in because of code lights. I found the BEST shoes EVER this summer. The new fad around the nurses station has been nursing clogs, and I didn't know what the hype was, until I tried them. :) I used to go through leather tennis shoes (which will set you back around $35 a pair) every six months. These clogs usually last over a year. They are more expensive, anywhere from $45 and up, usually around $60 a pair, but mine, honestly, have been worth every stinkin penny! Best deal I found was to buy them at Dubs Scrubs with a '$10 off any $20+ purchase' coupon. They also let you have 10% off during your birthday month, so go then! :) Seriously, I used to wear ted hose at work for aching legs and feet, I used to come home and be around a 9 on the pain scale and have to just get in bed and massage my legs and feet for about a half hour to get them to stop, but these shoes make it so my legs and feet barely hurt at all! These are the ones I want to get after Christmas! :)

Hope you like the change of post a little! Let me know what you think, or any suggestions of deals or other good stores. Have a fabulous week!