In healthcare settings, nurse scrubs have become more than just practical uniforms. They’re now a tool for communication and organization. Different scrub colors can denote roles, departments, or levels of responsibility, creating an organized and efficient environment for patients and staff alike. Here’s a look at the most common scrub colors, what they signify, and why healthcare facilities may use these color-coded uniforms.
1. Traditional white scrubs
White scrubs are the most traditional color for healthcare professionals, symbolizing clarity, cleanliness, and professionalism. They were once the standard attire for nurses, doctors, and other medical staff.
Where you’ll see them:
White scrubs are less common now due to their tendency to show stains easily, but they’re still occasionally worn in settings that value tradition and formality. Some facilities may reserve white scrubs for nursing supervisors or senior medical personnel, while others use them for students in training.
Pros and cons:
- Pros: White symbolizes trust and cleanliness, which can be reassuring for patients.
- Cons: This color easily stains, which can be impractical in a busy healthcare environment.
2. Blue and navy blue scrubs
Blue, especially navy blue, is one of the most common scrub colors for nurses. Blue is known for its calming effect and is often associated with trust and reliability — key qualities in healthcare.
Where you’ll see them:
Navy blue is often used in hospitals, especially in general nursing and emergency departments. Some healthcare facilities use different shades of blue to distinguish between various roles or departments, such as light blue for nursing and darker shades for doctors or surgical staff.
Pros and cons:
- Pros: The calming nature of blue may help put patients at ease, and it’s practical for hiding stains.
- Cons: Its popularity can make it less effective for quickly identifying specific roles.
3. Green and teal scrubs
Green and teal scrubs are most commonly associated with the surgical department. Green is thought to help reduce eye strain caused by the bright lights in the operating room (OR) and provides contrast against the red color of blood, helping surgeons stay focused.
Where you’ll see them:
Green and teal are commonly worn in ORs and by surgical teams. Some facilities also use green scrubs for emergency department (ED) personnel, as it helps distinguish them from other departments and is easy on the eyes during high-intensity work.
Pros and Cons:
- Pros: This color helps reduce eye strain and is easy to recognize as surgical attire.
- Cons: It can be limited to specific departments, which may not work for smaller facilities with multipurpose staff.
4. Red and burgundy scrubs
Red and burgundy scrubs are often worn by ED staff, especially in facilities that want quick visual identification of emergency personnel. Red conveys a sense of urgency and is a color often associated with blood and life-saving efforts, aligning with the critical nature of ED work.
Where you’ll see them:
Trauma centers, EDs, and sometimes intensive care units (ICUs) may use red or burgundy scrubs to indicate staff who handle urgent care needs. In some facilities, the color is also used for phlebotomists, who handle blood draws.
Pros and cons:
- Pros: High visibility and association with urgency, making it easy to identify ED or trauma staff.
- Cons: Red can be an emotionally intense color, which may not suit all patients or settings.
5. Purple scrubs
Purple is sometimes used for specific specialties, such as women’s health, oncology, or pediatrics. Purple symbolizes calmness, empathy, and care, qualities that align with these specialties.
Where you’ll see them:
Many facilities use purple scrubs for nurses in pediatric or women’s health departments. Because purple is often considered comforting, it helps create a warm, approachable atmosphere for patients in these sensitive areas.
Pros and cons:
- Pros: This color offers a soothing presence, especially beneficial for sensitive patient groups.
- Cons: This may not be universally recognized as specific to a department outside certain facilities.
6. Pink scrubs
Pink scrubs are usually associated with women’s health departments or pediatric care. Pink is seen as a nurturing, soft color, which makes it suitable for working with young children or expectant parents.
Where you’ll see them:
Pediatric departments, labor and delivery, and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) commonly use pink scrubs to create a gentle, friendly environment. The color can help make these environments feel less intimidating, especially for young patients.
Pros and cons:
- Pros: This creates a caring, welcoming atmosphere, especially for children.
- Cons: This may feel overly stereotypical or not be well suited to all professional settings.
7. Black scrubs
Black scrubs are less common but are gaining popularity in certain specialties and facilities. Black conveys sophistication and authority, making it a choice for those in advanced practice roles, such as nurse practitioners or clinical leaders.
Where you’ll see them:
Some private practices, outpatient settings, and specialty clinics may use black scrubs for staff members in senior or supervisory roles. It’s also sometimes seen in facilities where a modern or sleek appearance is preferred.
Pros and cons:
- Pros: Black is stylish, professional, and often seen as authoritative.
- Cons: It may be viewed as overly formal or intimidating by some patients, and it can show dust or lint more easily.
8. Printed or patterned scrubs
Printed scrubs are less about color symbolism and more about creating a friendly, engaging environment, especially in settings where patients benefit from a more casual atmosphere.
Where you’ll see them:
Patterned scrubs are often worn in pediatric departments, dental offices, and sometimes oncology departments. Fun prints with animals, cartoons, or colorful patterns can help make healthcare environments feel less sterile, particularly for children.
Pros and cons:
- Pros: Prints can help patients feel at ease, especially young ones, and add personality to the environment.
- Cons: This may not suit every professional setting or be appropriate in serious or high-stakes care areas.
Benefits of color-coded scrubs in healthcare
Using color-coded scrubs has multiple advantages:
- Improved organization: Color-coded scrubs help patients and staff quickly identify who is responsible for various tasks. For example, a patient may know that those in blue scrubs are nurses, while those in green are from the surgical team.
- Enhanced communication: Color distinctions allow for faster communication and response, especially in emergencies, by making it easier for staff to find each other.
- Reduced anxiety for patients: Knowing the role of each staff member at a glance can ease patient anxiety, making the healthcare experience more transparent and less intimidating.
Scrub colors in healthcare facilities are more than a matter of preference; they’re a tool to promote organization, safety, and comfort. While traditional colors like white, blue, and green remain popular, newer colors like purple, pink, and even black add variety and serve unique functions within different specialties.
Each color choice ultimately supports patient care, helping create an efficient and welcoming healthcare environment where both patients and providers feel empowered. It’s important to stay updated on your facility’s color system, as variations may exist between regions or hospitals.
