Remember when nurses use to wear a white cap?

Question

I wonder why they stopped wearing them.

Thanks for all those good answers! Wish I could give every one best answer.

Answer 1

I wore one, years ago. To keep that thing on, I had to make a little pin curl on top of my head, with a bobby pin, and pin the front inner center loop thru the curl. Two more pins in the back, usually under the outer flaps.

When I was in a hurry, that took me some time to get it on and straight. The cap got in my way if I was really busy changing sheets or lifting a heavy patient.

It needed special care, and lots of starch to keep it looking crisp and white.

It was a bother. Still, I did not complain. It took a lot of schooling to be entitled to wear the stripes that were on it. A badge of honor.

Answer 2

It's so interesting you ask this question. On Wednesday next I will work my last day in the hospital after 37 years. I have already cried, so I hope I don't do it anymore. It has been a long, interesting journey. I was so proud when I was capped on graduation, I was told we quit wearing them because they got caught on things and the kids in pediatrics were always pulling them off.But my favourite thing was to rustle when I walked down the hallway. It was not starched cotton petticoats as in the very beginning, but taffeta wash and wear of the seventies. I felt as if I were in a 1940 movie and half expected Ronald Coleman or someone equally charming to come walking down the hallway. I did meet a handsome fly boy in the hallway during Vietnam. I was still working for the Red Cross then and not yet a nurse. It was my husband who had come back from his mission early with a broken toe and had checked in at the hospital on the way home. I probably will cry again, it's like a marriage, when it's finally over it's so hard to believe.Forever seems like such a short, short time.

Answer 3

Yes, and their white stiff uniforms too and white lace up shoes. I believe they stopped wearing the white in caps and
uniforms due to the fact that the sterile look unnerved patients.
And they started to change into more casual and colorful
clothes. Same with the doctors. Tho med students are often
seen wearing white lab coats when they help doctors make
their rounds in hospitals tho, so I've noticed.
That's a good question on why they don't wear caps any
longer. I will have to ask a friend of mine who retired after
being a nurse for 32 years or so. I'm sure she wore one at
one time. Maybe they only wear them for their graduation.
I know I've seen graduation pix where they are all wearing
them.

Answer 4

I'll tell you why we don't wear caps anymore. Everytime we tried to pull someone up in bed, or bent to give them a drink of water, etc the caps would get pulled off by either the overhead light, or the end of the TV ot the top of the bed. Many bobbipins got lost in pts beds. It was decided for convenience we would not wear caps anymore. My original cap altho mashed and dirty,is in my old nursing bag in the closet.

Answer 5

The first dentist I worked for when I was 18 made us wear them. One day a patient who was a registered nurse told us that we shouldn't be wearing them because a real nurse had to earn the right to wear them. I never did get an explanation about this but would appreciate it if sombody had one for me.

Answer 6

My mom was a nurse and I remember her getting ready for work. She looked just like an angel in the white dress, white hose, white shoes and that starched white cap. I think the dress standards were relaxed to make the patients feel more relaxed and not feel they were in a cold hospital setting.

Answer 7

We quit wearing them because they got caught on the curtains that were pulled around the bed, IV poles and anything else that was available and got knocked cattywhampus , and most of all they harbored germs..never missed it..I still have one put away in the ceder chest..also I was happy when we gave up white nylons and starched white uniforms..Pants were far more practical..ever had to climb on a bed in a dress and do CPR?? Not a pretty sight..

Answer 8

I have worn the white cap and still have a few packed away. Mine were large with a wide grey stripe. I never did like it but I will always love what it stood for. We worked so hard for those caps.Now we wear scrubs and ID pins. It is so much better.

Answer 9

My wife did her training at St. Barts in London, white apron hat, the works, As an ex serviceman there was nothing more comforting when in the military hospitals to see a nurse in her whites, alas she is retired now and never kept the uniform, pity. Still has her solid silver belt buckle though.

Answer 10

I worked in the 60's and 70's and we always wore our caps, white uniform and white stockings and white duty shoes.
Back then, we could tell which school of nursing others were from by their caps. They were all different.