Uniforms vs. business clothes for occupational health nurses. A needs survey.

The occupational health nurses' role has grown to that of manager. They work to achieve corporate goals such as cost containment through promotion of wellness. They are well suited to the changing technology of the corporate community. The changing role of the occupational health nurse has been accompanied by a change in what they wear to work. Uniforms are no longer standard, and business clothes are increasing in popularity. A uniform committee at AT&T Bell Laboratories was formed to assess the need for change in clothing. A non-random survey was used to investigate what others in the field were wearing. Nurses from 89 companies in eight states completed a total of 274 questionnaires. As a result of the survey, nurses at AT&T Bell Laboratories were given the option of wearing a uniform, street clothes and laboratory coat, or just street clothes as job function indicated.