Th e younger nurses in your health-care institution have created a petition to change the dress code policy. Th ey feel it is antiquated and rigid. Rather than wearing uniforms or scrubs on the nursing units, they would prefer to wear more contemporary clothing such as khakis and nice shirts with the agency logo along with laboratory coats. Th e older-generation nurses feel that this will detract from the nursing image, as patients expect nurses to dress in uniforms or scrubs and this is what defi nes them as a “profession.”

1. What are your thoughts regarding the image of nursing and uniforms?

2. Do you feel that uniforms defi ne nurses? Explain your reasoning.

3. Explain the reasons certain generations may see this as a threat to their professionalism.

4. Which side would you support? Explain your answer with current research.