Nursing is one of Australia’s most important healthcare professions, with a wide range of occupational duties. For example, nurses play a significant role in preparing the doctor’s chart, taking care of the patient’s needs, and monitoring the patients overnight, barely sparing them any time to take care of themselves. This profession demands comfortable clothing, which is fundamental to multitasking, boosting confidence, and distinguishing them from others. It has ultimately led to the evolution of nursing scrubs, which have added essence to the overall appearance of the individual.
Nursing scrubs have multipurpose usage and are a critical set of clothing for the wearer and the patient, impacting the healthcare image and outlook. Nursing scrubs in Australia have aided many nurses in having accessibility to the most comfortable and highly professional uniforms, the primary reason being that they are easy to carry and come at an affordable cost.
What is a Nursing Scrub?
Just like school and college uniforms, a nursing scrub is a uniform specifically designed for nurses. The scrubs include a pant, a shirt, and a head cap made of high-quality fabric to withstand regular washing. Most nursing scrubs are made of cotton to enhance durability. The nurse uniform has undergone many modifications over time, and nowadays, nurses can be recognised through their coloured scrubs, giving them a professional look.
The Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare clearly state that hospitals must provide cleaning and laundry services for nurses and doctors in case any medical clothing gets contaminated by bodily fluids, such as blood. Nurses and doctors must change their scrubs at the end of every shift.
Benefits of Nursing Scrubs
1 Easy Identification
A nursing scrub can be an emblem of professionalism and respect, which helps to set them apart in a crowd. Uniforms can help the patients or caregivers quickly approach the nurses without hesitation and seek help comfortably.
2 Convenience
Scrubs are uniquely designed to protect nurses from contamination because their thickness prevents seepage of body tissues. Most nursing scrubs ensure the comfort and convenience of the wearer to boost confidence and help perform day-to-day activities at ease. The nursing scrubs have pockets that help carry accessories and equipment like pens, thermometers, and torchlights for easy examination.
3 Economical
Nursing scrubs in Australia are available on various online shopping platforms and retail stores at an affordable cost. These scrubs come in a wide range of sizes to accommodate different body types and provide a variety of colours and designs to choose from according to individual preference.
4 Protection from Body Fluids
Scrubs act as a primary barrier in safeguarding the nurses and providing protection from contagious diseases caused due to spillage of bodily fluids, which is inevitable. Since nurses spend quite a lot of time taking care of patients compared to other health professionals, there are higher chances of self-contamination, which can ruin their clothes more frequently. Hence, scrubs can help nurses save their regular clothes and prevent damage caused by body fluids like blood and pus.
5 Time-Saving
Since medical professionals may have to be on their toes most of the time, dressing up should be a simple and easy task. Medical scrubs provide the best solution for saving time through their easy-to-wear design.
The protective aspect that nursing scrubs and the likes provide is not an understatement. PPE kits (Personal protective equipment) came as the only saving resort for healthcare professionals during the pandemic. Did you know that Australia, India, the UK, and Germany alone manufactured and globally supplied 5-10% (each) of shoe covers and medical aprons?
Scrubs are a standard uniform for nurses and medical professionals in the healthcare domain. They play a key role in providing professional identity and act as a representation of occupational boundaries to instil great confidence and trust from patients and respect from coworkers. Most online shopping platforms and retail outlets help nurses pick suitable scrubs preferable to their taste to enjoy a comfortable and confident professional life.
