With so many different body types, scrubs have come a long way from the the “one style, one color” they started off as. Now, there are perfect scrubs for every body type. Below are our tips for different body types:

Large Chested:

For ladies with a full chest, use scrubs that are one solid color and use the matching pants to go with. This will not only make you look slimmer, it will draw the eye away from the chest area. Also, make sure you wear scrubs that promote modesty. Scrubs that are a high v-neck or a crew neck are perfect for this body type. We suggest the Women’s AngelStat scrub top with a Keyhole neckline (869) matched with the straight leg, Cargo Pants with an Elastic Waist (674). Another option is the ComfortEase Tunic (8851) which has a modest v-neck line and the mock wrap. You can match this top with the ComfortEase Cargo Pants (950).

Pear Shaped

For the ladies who are pear shaped, the goal of your scrubs should be to draw the eye up towards your face. A great way of doing this is to go with neck lines that aren’t the typical v-neck or crew neck. Something like a mock wrap or keyhole neckline would draw the eye up to the face. Another idea would be to go with a printed top with dark scrub pants (like a brown or black). Our suggested scrubs for pear shaped nurses are the Suite Styles Crossover (4513) paired with the Suite Styles Low rise pants (7432S). For the print style, we suggest the Printed Tunic top (226) with the ComfortEase Reversible Pants with Drawstring (950).

Tall

For nurses who are tall, it is a battle to find scrubs that fit perfectly. Scrubs are either too long, or too short. One of the reasons is because manufacturers all have different lengths for their “tall scrubs”. It’s important to know what your inseam is so you can pick the perfect scrubs. Most retail sites also share the inseam in the product description. Another suggestion is to get scrubs that are snug to your body. Our suggested scrubs would be the ComfortEase Scrub top with 2 pockets and the ComfortEase Modern Fit Scrub Pants to get the fitted look that fits perfectly!

Many nurses have done the night shift at least once, some having been doing the night shift for years. There are some perks to being on the night shift; however there are some dangers to working during the night & sleeping during the day.

Pros

For the most part, the night shifts are calmer (for the most part) than the day shift. With most of the patients asleep, there is less chaos to control and there is no feeling of urgency to get through rounds as quickly as possible

Being on the night shift means being there when the administration team is not there. With the lack of the management team, there are less politics to deal with. This can dramatically change the atmosphere at the work place.

Cons

Our bodies are naturally programmed to be awake when it’s sunny out, and asleep when it’s dark outside. When this routine is changed, the body can go into sleep deprivation because the body has lost the “internal clock” and can no longer tell what time it is.

After the long shift, most nurses have to drive home. Driving when you are sleepy or drowsy can be very dangerous & has caused thousands of accidents on the road.

Can lose touch with friends and family when you are living on the opposite schedule. Lots of nurses have noticed it is much harder to stay in touch with family members & friends when the schedules are completely opposite. There usually are a few hours a day that match up and it is difficult to make plans for those few hours. Nurses who are veteran night shift nurses have to put extra effort into making time for friends and family.

What are your pros and cons to working the night shift?

It's finally graduation! It is time to walk across that stage and get that diploma you have earned! After the countless all night study sessions, ability to nap where-ever, learning to adapt quickly to the chaos that has surrounded you, you are now ready to enter the nursing field. If you haven't gotten that dream job yet, here are some tips to make sure you stand out and land the job!

1.) Network. Go to any event where local healthcare places might be (trade shows, job fairs, events on campus, etc.). Networking allows you to meet a variety of people who potentially can help you land your first job. It is also a great way to get to know professionals in the field you are looking to enter and to learn about opportunities you might not otherwise learn about.

2.) Be on good terms with your nursing instructors. For most positions, employers will require a list of references/recommendations. An instructor is a perfect resource for a recommendation. They know your work habits, they most likely have spent a lot of time with you, so they know your personality and would be able to write you the best recommendation.

3.) Ask questions at the interview. Usually, at the end of the interview, the interviewer will ask, "so do you have any questions for me?". Be prepared to ask questions. Ask about the company itself, the environment and type of people that work there. Not only will these questions get you answers that are important for you to decide if the company is a right fit for you, it also shows the interviewer that you have prepared for the meeting and are interested as much in them as they are in you.

4.) Customize your Resumé. Not every job you apply for will be the same, so the resume shouldn't be the same for each application. Tweak your resume with keywords or actions that the job is looking for. This will make you more appealing to the interviewer.

5.) Volunteer. White looking for a permanent job, volunteer at a hospital or other health care facility to keep your medical skills up to date as well as gaining experience in the industry you want to have a career in.

In the nursing world, a day off is a much needed break from the stress and, sometimes, chaotic work day. Nurses have added stresses that the rest of the world couldn’t really understand unless they have been in a nurse’s shoes. Here are some ideas we have come up with that can help you make the most of your day off!

1.) Time with the family & friends. These are the people who know you best and know what to do when you are stressed or in need of a good time. Hanging out with them, even if it’s just a couple of hours can make your day that much better

2.) Exercising. Something you suggest to your patients when they are stressed or need an outlet. Take your own advice and get active! Whether it’s going to the gym or taking a yoga class in the park with some friends. The work out will help work out your stresses!

3.) Cooking. Chances are, you are not eating the best while at work simply because you don’t have the time! On your day off, cook something special for yourself (and your family if you are feeling generous). Need a place to start? Check out Eating Well’s website for hundreds of recipes! http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/dinner_ideas

4.) Sleep. An under-rated part of life that you need to catch up on. While technically you can’t make up for lost sleep, sleeping is the body’s natural way of re-charging. Sleeping in or taking a nap during the day is a great way to re-charge so you are ready to tackle the next day at work.

Have you been lost in the sea of lab coats? There are literally hundreds of different kinds of lab coats out there. There are different lengths, different cuts, different features, even different colors. Here are a few guiding steps to help you find your perfect match!

1.) Know the guidelines from your employer. In many places there are rules on what kind of lab coat is allowed at work. Make sure you know these rules when you are searching for your next lab coat.

2.) Do you work with microorganisms? If so, go with an antimicrobial lab coat which helps protect your lab coat from the growth and multiplication of a broad spectrum of microorganisms.

3.) Pay attention to the fabric mix. If you want a softer and heavier lab coat, pick a mix that has a smaller ratio of polyester to cotton (the average tends to be around 80% Polyester and 20% Cotton).

4.) Pick something  you like the look of. With a variety of different buttons, white dyes, etc., you will be sure to find something that catches your eye and will look great on you!

Put these new tips into practice and you will be sure to find a lab coat that is good looking and functional! Check out our lab coat page and begin the search for your perfect lab coat!

For a limited time, we are having a lab coat sale! Take 15% off your lab coat when you use coupon code LABCOAT15. Hurry offer ends 6/30/2012!