The financial responsibility for acquiring scrubs typically falls to the employee. This practice is widespread across various healthcare settings, making the uniform a personal investment for most nurses. While individual facilities and specialized units often offer exceptions or compensation, a new nurse should generally budget for the cost of outfitting themselves.
The Standard: Nurse Responsibility and Employer Stipends
In many general hospital units and clinics, the nurse is responsible for purchasing their own daily work attire. Nurses choose their preferred brands, styles, and sizes, allowing for personal comfort during long shifts. This standard shifts in highly specialized environments like surgical suites or intensive care units. In these areas, hospitals often provide hospital-laundered scrubs, sometimes dispensed through automated vending machines, to maintain infection control.
Some employers offer a stipend or uniform allowance to partially offset the cost of purchasing personal scrubs. These allowances are typically provided annually but are not standard across the healthcare industry. Receiving a stipend means the employee purchases the scrubs and is then reimbursed up to a set amount. This allowance usually reduces the financial burden rather than eliminating it entirely.
Understanding Facility Requirements and Color Coding
Hospitals enforce strict policies governing scrub appearance, frequently utilizing color coding to promote quick identification of staff roles and departments. This system ensures patients and colleagues can immediately distinguish between roles, such as a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). For instance, a facility may require all RNs to wear navy blue, while CNAs must wear a designated color like royal blue or pewter.
Beyond color, facilities often mandate specific requirements for the scrubs themselves to ensure a unified and professional look. Requirements can include restrictions on patterns, requiring solid colors only, and sometimes dictating the use of a facility-approved vendor or brand. Some institutions require the facility’s logo embroidered on the scrub top, which further limits where and what kind of apparel can be purchased. Compliance with these rules is a prerequisite for working at the institution.
The Financial Reality of Scrub Ownership
The cost of a single set of scrubs, including a top and bottom, typically falls between $30 and over $100, depending on quality and brand. Because nurses must have a clean set for every shift, and often require a fresh change if soiled, a new hire must invest in a substantial inventory. Accounting for seven to ten sets for a full-time schedule, the initial outlay can easily reach several hundred dollars. This investment is compounded by the need for regular replacement due to fading and wear from frequent laundering.
To manage this ongoing expense, some nurses utilize the tax code by deducting unreimbursed uniform expenses. This deduction is permissible if the clothing is specifically required for the job and not adaptable to general wear, which applies to scrubs. However, the rules surrounding employee business expenses are complex and have changed over time, meaning nurses should consult a qualified tax professional to determine their eligibility. The uniform allowance provided by some employers helps mitigate the financial reality of this mandatory professional expense.
How to Select Quality and Functional Scrubs
When selecting scrubs, focus on optimizing comfort, mobility, and longevity to maximize the value of the investment. Modern scrub fabrics often feature cotton, polyester, and spandex blends to offer four-way stretch, improving mobility during physically demanding tasks. Look for moisture-wicking properties, which regulate body temperature and comfort during twelve-hour shifts.
Functional design elements are equally important, particularly the placement and size of pockets. Nurses rely on multiple pockets to carry essential tools like pens, penlights, and bandage scissors. Cargo-style pants and tops with partitioned pockets are highly practical. Some premium options include antimicrobial finishes, which inhibit the growth of bacteria on the fabric. Selecting a proper fit is also important, ensuring the garment is not restrictive but still provides a professional silhouette.
Managing Your Scrub Inventory and Laundering
A new nurse should purchase five to seven scrub sets to ensure a clean uniform is available for every scheduled shift, plus extras for unexpected soiling or laundry delays. This reserve is important for adherence to infection control standards, which dictate wearing a fresh uniform daily. Systematic inventory management reduces the frequency of emergency laundry loads and extends the life of the collection.
Proper laundering is essential for hygiene and maintaining the appearance of the scrubs. To prevent the spread of pathogens, transport soiled scrubs in a dedicated bag and launder them separately from household clothing. Using cold water helps preserve the color and integrity of the fabric, especially for the vibrant shades required by color-coded systems. Avoiding fabric softener, which can compromise moisture-wicking and antimicrobial treatments, ensures the scrubs remain functional throughout their lifespan.