Nurses' uniform: an investigation of mobility

An investigation of the mobility of nurses under three clothing conditions is reported. The need for such a study has arisen as a result of the concern over a possible mismatch between mobility and patient handling requirements. Thirty-seven nurses participated under two of the clothing conditions ('National' dress uniform, Trouser/tunic combination). In addition, ten of these nurses volunteered to provide control data by being measured in a leotard or a swimming costume. Eleven static and sixteen dynamic anthropometric measures were considered. Each nurse was asked to complete a short questionnaire, relating to her subjective attitudes to the uniform and to her own physical state at the time of measurement. Whilst both uniforms imposed restrictions on the shoulder girdle and trunk of up to 10%, the area of greatest concern was the mobility of the hip joint. Hip flexion was reduced by 26% in the dress uniform. The implications of these findings for patient handling procedures are discussed, as are those of the relationship between the environment and the material. Uniform and the nursing image is also considered.