Stay in the know.

Join our free nurse community to get updates on trending questions and the topics you care about

Can nurses have long nails?


January 27th, 2022

Please, find another way to express yourself!!! They are filthy and have not place in healthcare

January 18th, 2022

It isn’t sanitary and your gloves will rip. Unless you want to be wiping poop and have your nail come through the glove, just cut your nails. Some places allow and some don’t. I suppose it would depend on how hands on the type of nursing you are doing. If you are at the bedside, you likely will get frustrated yourself with having long nails.

February 14th, 2023

It depends. If you are rendering patient care then no. It’s an infection control issue. However, if you are a tele-health nurse, UR nurse, staffer, informatics nurse, ie nurse that does not perform patient care, I don’t see why it would be an issue. Just follow your organization’s policy regarding nails and you’ll be okay.

June 27th, 2023

Why would you want to?

March 8th, 2022

I would highly suggest not to have long nails.

January 27th, 2022

Prevention- protect your patients and protect yourself by keeping nails clean and short.

January 17th, 2022

Depends on the facility. Some allow longer nails while others do not. Most do not allow acrylic nails at all due to the bacteria that can grow under them. I have seen facilities that require shorter nail lengths as well.

March 9th, 2022

Extremely long nails or fake nails shouldn’t be allowed. I agree that acrylic or other fake nails carry bacteria.

March 8th, 2022

In a hospital setting absolutely not. Some offices are more lenient

January 18th, 2022

Cant imagine the Infection Control Practices of the facilities that allowed long nails. smh.

March 8th, 2022

As long as they like 🙃

March 12th, 2022

Long nails can harbor bacteria that hand washing alone will not take care of. Your nails
should be trimmed just above your finger where you can wash them easily with out bending them back at all. Much more sanitary this way.

March 7th, 2023

It is affection risk. Can you put on gloves without your nails punching a hole them. What you pick up at a hospital you are taking home to your family.

January 15th, 2023

absolutely not it is an infection control nightmare..

January 4th, 2023

No, they interfere with your job, when they break could cause one problems

March 9th, 2022

Can’t