Poll: Stethoscope color affect professionalism?

Sue/Mike

I posted this in 9 to 5, but I wanted a MN opinion as well.  H bought me a wonderful new steth for XMas and wants me to choose a color. 

My SIL (who is a cardiac nurse) says definitely black, since that's what everyone has.   I currently have neon orange, a gift from my father, and no one ever tries to take it.  I'm thinking about plum, but am now worried that if I get a RN job in the hospital rather than long term care, the color of my steth may affect how others perceive me.

[Poll]

Lauree1183

I really like the plum! 

MrsKizdoodle

I think if anyone cares about the color of a stethescope color they are stoopid.

 

Black is boring - get plum!  

stephmarie

I love the plum color, and honestly I don't think I've ever payed attention to any provider's steth. If I saw someone with an orange or plum one I would probably think "cool, someone who's not afraid to be different and attempt to 'personalize' their equipment." If it's not a hospital requirement to have black, I say go for what you want.

destination09

I like the plum and if black is not a hospital standard I say do what you want.  Frankly, as a patient, I'd like you more for having a colored stethescope! 

brifox711

Definitely go with the plum!  I worked at a hospital and the nurses had all different colors, and I never would have put a connection between that and skill level. 

loveablesarah

destination09:

I like the plum and if black is not a hospital standard I say do what you want.  Frankly, as a patient, I'd like you more for having a colored stethescope! 

This. Shows personality.

huwehotaling

Definitely get the plum

JosiePosy

Considering all the crazy scrubs prints I see these days, I find it hard to believe that steth color affects a person's perception. Get the color you want. 

Steph0871

Get whatever color you want. I've seen plenty of different colors before, and never thought anything about the skill level!

 

In related news, I had NO idea stethoscopes were that expensive. 

annieh2

I voted (it may, but your skills affect it more) before I actually clicked on the link.  I truly see no reason to not get the plum.  It's such a nice color and I honestly wouldn't even notice that it wasn't black.

I think the only time a crazy color might be a detriment would be if it was different from the norm in your hospital and therefore making it more noticeable.  As a patient, I honestly do not care about stethoscope color.  It's all in if you are competent and the way you treat the patients. 

AmberDerek

Lauree1183:

I really like the plum! 

This!

Mush-Tastic

I work in nursing and we all have different color steths. I have never heard of a hospital caring about such a thing. Nor should any patient give a crap what color your's is. If they do, they have bigger issues. I would not perceive anyone's steth color as an indication of their skills as a nurse. The one thing I've found hospitals seem to care the most about is scrubs, and that's it. I say personalize it!

flower_lover

I vote for plum too! BTW, if I saw a medical professional with a colored steth, my impression would be that they are approachable and confident.