Tips for Choosing the Best Medical Scrubs

Good quality scrubs are there to prevent cross-contamination, help you abide by facility guidelines, and protect you from various spills, stains and liquids. But you already know all that. Chances are, you are just starting out as an intern and you are looking for the right scrubs for you. In addition to functionality, you are also supposed to feel good in your daily outfit. There is no reason why you shouldn’t look good in your uniform and be comfortable at the same time. So, how do you pick the right scrubs for you?

Think about comfort

Obviously, the first thing on your checklist should be comfort. There is nothing worse than spending an entire day (or even double and triple shifts) in scrubs that are too tight, or have to constantly be adjusted. Not only do ill-fitting scrubs feel awful, they also look unprofessional. When shopping for scrubs, make sure you know your size and measurements, especially if you are buying them online. Usually, you can find sizing charts on the websites, or you can contact customer service for guidance. You don’t want scrubs that are too tight, since they restrict your movement and can rip at any moment. On the other hand, loose scrubs can get in the way and get caught on something, so choose the size carefully. You can also customize the look of your scrubs, by choosing from different neck and waistlines, various fits (looser or more slim-fitting) to different styles of pants (ones resembling joggers, cargo pants, flared pants, or more traditional styles). 

Choose the color wisely 

There are lots of different styles and models of scrubs available nowadays, which gives you more freedom of choice. However, always check facility requirements, just to make sure you are following the dress code. Many clinics and hospitals require their staff to be color coordinated, and the colors often vary based on the departments they work at. Most often, surgeons, or anyone who risks getting blood on their uniform, wear green or blue scrubs (various shades), doctors and nurses who work with children may choose something lighter, like pink or violet. There are even colorful printed scrubs available, which may be perfect for pediatric nurses. Of course, all depending on your preference. 

Consider pockets

Working as a health professional requires you to always be on your feet, often multitasking and rushing all over the place, which can lead to very hectic workdays, juggling dozens of tasks and cases all at once. It is essential that you stay organized on such days. Having a fair number of pockets will definitely help, especially if they are deep enough to hold notebooks, pens, a penlight, a hemostat, medical scissors, and other vital tools. There are lots of functional scrubs with pockets available online, where the bottoms can even resemble stretchy cargo pants (every intern’s dream). Depending on your needs, you can find scrubs with slits, different pocket types and placements.