7 Ways To Look Great At Work As A CNA

Scrubs may be comfortable, but they are far from glamorous work attire.  I see RN’s and CNA’s try and dress up their uniforms all the time.  They fasten cute pins to their shirts; they wear colorful shoes or festive socks.  I’ve even seen some dress up their name badges.

We forget that it’s not so much the uniform people notice first-hand- it’s us! If you want to look good, start by adding a little extra oomph! in what really matters most- you!

1.     Moisturize

Moisturizing at night, and then again in the morning can do wonders on tired skin.  I notice that on days I go to bed without doing this, I wake up looking tired, worn, and unhealthy.  Give yourself and your skin cells an extra boost by using a moisturizer that fits your skin type- apply nightly and right before you leave for work.

2.     Skip the powder

The air in hospitals or nursing homes is usually a bit dry. Oxygen tanks and venting systems pumping through the air continuously, can wreak havoc on your skin.  Powder can make skin look dry, and chalky- especially as the day progresses.  Trade in your powder for tinted moisturizer or liquid foundation.

It isn;t so hard to look awesome while at work!

 3.     Keep cuticle moisturizer in your locker

The one thing patient’s certainly notice, are your hands!  You’re hands reveal many different things- including your commitment to your self-care.  Many hand moisturizers aren’t enough to tackle the harder skin around the nails.  My trick is to slip a small tube of cuticle softener in your pocket, and apply it whenever you can- while your waiting on a patient, on your break, going over a chart.  It less than a few seconds, you’ve saved yourself from overworked, dry, cracked cuticles.  Some tubes of cuticle cream even come in cases the size of a quarter.

 4.     Go for gloss

I have sometimes seen RN’s and CNA’S wearing bright colored lipstick.  Let’s face it, we’re not on a runway show here, and we don’t want to make patients think we’re crazy for wearing “fire engine red” lipstick.  Trade in your lipstick for something more subtle- like a tinted gloss.

 5.     Wear your smile

A smile can brighten up any look- instantly.  Not only does it drastically improve your look, but it also improves the way others see you- being on the receiving end of a smile is always great.

6.     Tame Stress Breakouts

You’ve worked back-to-back shifts all week, you’re exhausted, and it shows!  Stress can cause unwanted skin eruptions when we don’t expect them.  Eating foods rich in beta-carotene can help rejuvenate skin long term- so you can fight problem skin before it occurs.

 7.     Keep bad hair days at bay

Bad hair days are usually remedied by tying hair back into a ponytail, or braid.  Keep you’re hair shiny and healthy with this at home remedy:

-1 ripe avocado

-1/2 cup coconut milk

-3 teaspoons of olive oil

Combine all ingredients together and stir well.  Heat up the concoction on the stovetop until warm.  Apply the mixture at the end of roots, and work outwards toward the ends.  Leave on for at least 30 minutes, and wash out.