It is highly unlikely that you will ever see the traditional white dress and folded cap that comprised nurse uniforms of the past. The reasons are part history and part practicality. The white part is simple. Originally, white was the natural color for the surgical and nursing staff in hospitals because it emphasized the idea of cleanliness and sterility. It was not so much that it actually contributed to those ends, save for the fact that the hospitals laundered them very thoroughly.
It was that white “looked” cleaner and created an impression on the patients. The problem developed during the 1950′s when it was realized that surgeons were suffering from eyestrain from the bright lights, white uniforms, and white tile walls. The result was the adoption of the light green or matte blue surgical uniform that became known as “Scrubs,” as they where donned before scrubbing up for surgery. Thus, scrubs were born.
Nurses Take Over with new Nurses Uniforms
The other reason, the practicality part arose from the liberation of women and the social change of the 1960′s. Having to dress up in white dresses, stockings and shoes, the traditional nurse uniforms, was a major burden for nurses. They were responsible for buying them and cleaning them and as society adopted a liberal attitude toward women’s role in society nurses began to wear the more practical and comfortable scrubs for their daily nursing duties.
They were allowed as the hospital laundered them, making them truly clean and less costly. Thus, the modern nurse uniforms were born. To this day, they are known as “Scrubs.” Caps and shoes soon followed and nurse uniforms became a lot more practical, comfortable, and easier on the eyes. Scrubs come in many colors and styles from the simple tunic top to the “wrap around” top. There are the drawstring pants and scrub caps too. Go nurses!