What do your scrubs say about you?

• What do you wear, and why? Those of us with restrictive dress codes had a simple answer: “Whatever my employer tells me to wear.” But those who can wear whatever scrubs they like, have a variety of answers about their choices.

• Take a look through your work wardrobe and see what category most of your scrubs fall into, then match it with this personality assessment. It could help you uncover what others assume about you when they see you walk down the hall!

• 1. Monochrome Scrubs

  I pick one color that looks good on me and then run with it. All my scrubs are the same color so they always match. There’s no sorting lights from darks when I do my scrubs laundry. That’s how I like things at home and at work — nice and simple. Don’t complicate my day with incompetence or complaining!

• 2. Pocket Extravaganza

  My main goal when I get dressed in the morning is making sure I have enough space in my scrubs pockets to carry everything I need. You might think I’m a bit weighed down by my workload, but I’m the nurse everyone yells for when they need an extra pair of scissors—stat! I just like to be prepared.

• 3. Fitted and Flared

  My scrubs tend to follow the fashion for street clothes. I keep in shape to set a good example for my patients—and you can tell by the way my scrubs follow the lines of my body (without clinging too tightly). I show everyone that it’s possible to be professional and stylish at the same time. I take pride in my work and in my appearance.

• 4. Unisex Uniform

  I’m a no-nonsense nurse who wants to be judged on the quality of my work, not on my looks. Scrubs are a uniform and they perform a function. Most of us have two arms, two legs and one head. Why can’t everyone just wear the same thing at work? Don’t waste my time with frivolous chitchat.

• 5. Contrasting Solids

  I don’t want to wear the same thing every day. At the same time, I’m not ready to take the leap and start wearing printed scrubs. On a good day, my color combos make me look vibrant and put together. On a bad day, you wonder if I just rolled out of bed and pulled mismatched scrubs from my closet because nothing else was clean.

• 6. Hearts and Flowers

  My scrubs may seem a little warm and gooey sometimes, but I’m the nurse you want by your side when you’re having a rough day. Those pretty hearts and flowers are like a sign that says “Compassion dispensed here.” I’m not afraid to show my softer side.

• 7. Cartoon Characters

  I don’t take life too seriously, but I’m confident that my skills and training will show everyone that I do take my job seriously. Some coworkers think I dress childishly. I don’t care. My focus is on making patients smile, not on impressing anyone else.

• 8. Athletic Stretch

  For me, a work shift sometimes feels like running a marathon. My most important goal in selecting scrubs is staying comfortable, wrinkle-free and dry. Patients can trust me to make their comfort a priority, too. I’m relaxed and approachable.

• 9. Spotless Whites

  I take pride in keeping my person and my work environment squeaky clean. You might think I’m a bit old-fashioned and unrealistic about what kind of nasty gunk I’m going to encounter on my shift, but you still respect my commitment to looking starched and stain-free.