Are Hospital Issued Scrubs a Thing, or Do You Have to Buy Your Own?
Not every job requires a uniform, but if you work in a hospital or other medical environment, you know that hospital scrub uniforms are generally the accepted attire.
But you’re wondering if hospitals provide scrubs for their employees or if employees are required to buy their own.
And if the hospital doesn’t provide them, how can you know the best place to buy quality scrubs at an affordable price?
In this article, we’ll discuss scenarios when the hospital may provide scrubs and some tips to keep in mind if employees are required to provide their own.
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Other Scrubs
Our Scrubs
Thin fabric
Boxy and unflattering
Needs layers over and under
Can’t wait to change clothes
100% lined
Feminine tailored shape
No need to layer
Don’t want to take them off
Are Hospitals Required to Provide Scrubs to Employees?
No, hospitals are not required to provide scrubs for their employees.
That’s the short answer.
Even though hospitals are not required by law to provide scrubs, many hospitals do provide them for free, but maybe not for everyone.
These examples may explain some possible scenarios:
Hospital A - Scrubs are provided for all their medical employees (excluding administrative staff) without cost. The scrubs may even come with an embroidered hospital logo.
Hospital B - Complimentary scrubs are provided only to employees that work in operating rooms.
Hospital C - Scrubs are not given to employees, but the hospital provides firm guidelines for the kind of scrubs employees will provide at their own expense.
Hospital D - Scrubs are not provided for employees. However, the hospital’s guidelines regarding scrubs are relaxed, and they simply ask employees to buy scrubs that are neat and in good taste.
In the end, policies vary from hospital to hospital, so before accepting a position at a particular hospital, ask what the specific policies are regarding scrubs. You’ll need to know this so you can budget and shop if you need to provide your own.
When Do Hospitals Provide You Issued Scrubs?
Think of scrubs as a uniform.
Depending on where you work in the hospital or what your position is, you may be asked to have a particular uniform — scrubs with a particular style or color.
Hospitals may decide to provide scrubs for many of the following reasons:
Cost - Hospitals may be able to get discounts on scrubs when buying them in bulk from a uniform supplier.
Consistency - Color-coded scrubs help staff and patients better identify doctors, nurses, therapists, etc.
Employee satisfaction - Let’s face it, scrubs aren’t particularly stylish, so employees may enjoy the hospital footing the bill and choosing the style.
Professionalism - Consistent uniforms across the board are more professional. Think of flight attendants — though styles vary, their uniforms are standard and add to the professional look they exude.
Protection from contamination - Contaminated scrubs can be changed and laundered in the hospital and reduce the chance of spreading contaminants outside of the employee’s work area.
Benefits to hospital staff - When the hospital provides the scrubs, employees benefit by keeping their hard-earned money for more desirable things.
When They Require a Logo
You’ve probably visited hospitals where employees wear scrubs that are uniform across the board and that have the hospital's logo included.
When appearance and professionalism are important to the hospital, the hospital may take on the cost of providing scrubs.
Then again, some hospitals with fewer resources may ask the employees to buy their own scrubs and have the logo included — either at the cost of the hospital or employee.
In general, the hospital can ensure consistency and probably get bulk pricing when they provide these themselves.
When You Work in a Special Procedure Area
Even if the hospital doesn’t provide scrubs for all their employees, they may provide them for employees who work in special areas like:
Operating rooms
Surgery wings
Semi-restricted areas
Restricted areas
Why would hospitals issue scrubs to these particular employees?
The main reason is to prevent the spread of infection.
Employees who work in operating rooms are at particular risk of their scrubs becoming contaminated. A hospital may choose to provide scrubs made with a special material to minimize the contamination to their employees.
Additionally, these hospital-provided scrubs can be easily changed and laundered, which keeps the contaminated articles contained.
Working in the OR can sometimes feel like working in the Arctic Tundra. Trying to do your job well while you’re freezing is often challenging.
Silver Lining Scrubs may be just what you need.
Silver Lining Scrubs offers high-quality, lined, and tailored scrubs to keep you warm all winter — or in the dreaded operating room AC.
Do They Provide Scrubs for Free?
Though you may be lucky enough to find a hospital that provides scrubs at no cost whatsoever to the employee, it’s not typical.
With that being said, hospitals may handle the purchase of required scrubs in several ways:
Hospitals may pay a percentage of the cost.
The hospital may “lend” scrubs to doctors who visit many patients. Lending and returning scrubs allow for them to be properly sanitized.
Hospitals may rent scrubs to their employees.
Hospitals may give a one-time or annual stipend for employees to purchase their own scrubs.
The purchase of scrubs may be the employee’s responsibility, but the hospital may offset the cost with other employee benefits.
These are just a few ways that hospitals may “cover” the cost of scrubs for their employees, so make sure to check in with your hospital’s HR representative and ask questions when you need clarification.
What to Do if Your Hospital Doesn’t Require Hospital Issued Scrubs?
Even if your hospital doesn’t provide hospital-issued scrubs, chances are they will still require you to wear them.
So, what should you look for when purchasing scrubs on your own?
In your search for scrubs, you’ll want to consider:
Hospital requirements
Quality and economy
Fit and comfort
Determine Any Hospital Requirements for Scrubs
Before you invest in scrubs for your hospital job, you’ll want to find out if your hospital has any specifications you need to follow.
What might hospitals require when it comes to scrubs?
Some hospitals may have very relaxed guidelines, while other hospitals may have more specific requirements.
In either case, hospitals may require scrubs that are:
Comfortable
Durable
Breathable
Made of a specific fabric to prevent the release of skin squames (100% spunbound polypropylene is a fabric recommended by the Association of Surgical Technologists.)
Color-coded (by department or type of caregiver)
In good taste, decent, and neat
Though most medical employees don’t choose scrubs to make a fashion statement, scrubs are offered in different styles and colors.
The colors of scrubs have even been found to have a positive effect on patients. Brighter colors liven up the environment and bring a little life and sunshine to the hospital room.
Shop Around for the Best Hospital Scrubs
As with anything else you are going to buy, you’ll find lots of vendors competing for your business.
You can find them:
In malls
In specialty stores
Online, and
You can even make your own.
No matter where you shop, you’ll want to find scrubs that fit well, are comfortable, and have good, useful pockets.
Hospital Scrubs Should Fit Well
If you are working a long 12-hour shift, you don’t want to spend any of that time adjusting your pants or pulling on your shirt. Finding scrubs that fit well is a must.
Look for scrubs that allow for movement.
The style and fabric of scrubs can go a long way in providing for maximum maneuverability.Yoga-style or jogger pants with a blend of spandex may allow for that extra flexibility nurses often need.
Hospital Scrubs Should Be Comfortable (And Lined)
Beyond fit, comfort is a high priority.
You’ve experienced it — scrubs that are:
Too tight around the waist
Too short
Too tight
Too baggy
Too stiff
Not warm enough
Nobody wants to work long, often stressful hours on their feet while trying to pull their shirt down or pull their pants up.
Look for scrubs that have the waistband that’s right for you — elastic or drawstring.
And when it comes to shirts, look for shirts that stay in place, have the neckline that makes you most comfortable, and have pockets that are serviceable and practical.
Hospital Scrubs Should Have Good Pockets
What in the world would nurses do without pockets? After all, you need a place for all your stuff, like:
Pens
Your phone
Saline flushes
Alcohol pads
Stethoscope
ID badge
And who knows what else?
Scrubs are available with pockets in both the pants and the shirt. Look for ones that fit your personal style and needs.
Silver Lining Scrubs fits the bill in all of these areas.
Our scrubs not only provide warmth and comfort, but we also offer several styles and colors, including:
Degraw pants
Baltic pants
Jogger pants
Click here to shop all our styles and colors.
Looking for Hospital Scrubs? Silver Lining Scrubs Has You Covered
If you find yourself in the position of needing to provide your own scrubs, do yourself a favor and see what Silver Lining Scrubs has to offer.
Our scrubs are:
High quality
Stain-resistant
Wrinkle-resistant
100% warm
We offer various styles for different needs and preferences at an affordable price in addition to accessory items like compression socks, stethoscopes, and cases.
Don’t let being cold at work affect your productivity. Lined scrubs from Silver Lining Scrubs will keep you warm — and keep your style on point.
Not only do we want to keep you warm, Silver Lining Scrubs is proud to support Operation Warm because we believe no one should ever be cold.
Click here to read our story and then start shopping.