I grumbled to anyone that would listen to me, last week, that you know you’re older when you have more doctors appointments than social engagements in the same week! Seriously though, I started with an Ear, Nose, Throat doctor [Otorhinolaryngology (/oʊtoʊˌraɪnoʊˌlærɪnˈɡɒlədʒi/ oh-toh-RY-noh-LARR-in-GOL-ə-jee, abbreviated ORL and also known as otolaryngology, otolaryngology – head and neck surgery (ORL–H&N or OHNS), or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) ]

Next was a gratuitous visit to an eye doctor [Optometrists are health care professionals who typically provide comprehensive eye care]

Finally, my yearly physical exam by my Physician Assistant.

My lone social engagement, you ask? Disc golf with the squad.

In my visits with the various practices of medicine, I’ve observed a dynamic that is fairly consistent from state to state, and doctor’s private practice to full blown medical centers: that the heirarchy of personnel is not visually discernible based on the color of scrubs.

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No Scrubs, Please

I thought that through the scrutiny of scrubs, there was some order to the colors. That’s right! Something out of Star Trek. The colors of Starfleet uniforms have varied over the years, but generally represent the job of the crew member wearing it:

Starfleet Intelligence: Violet

Command: Gold

Operations, engineering, and materiel supply: Gold

Science and medical: Blue

Security and engineering: Red

As far as I know, there’s no hard-and-fast rules regulating scrub color choice. Here’s the guideline(s) used though.

Scrub Colors Meaning for Different Healthcare Roles. Let’s take a look at the typical scrub colors associated with various healthcare roles:

• Medical Students: Often wear white scrubs, symbolizing purity and the blank slate of a student.
• Physical Therapists: Typically opt for Caribbean blue or green scrubs, signaling tranquility and healing.
• Nurses: Frequently wear royal blue or  cool gray scrubs, which are associated with calmness and healing.
• Dental Assistants: Often choose black scrubs or white scrubs, denoting cleanliness and sterility.
• Ultrasound Techs: Usually wear Caribbean blue or teal scrubs, indicating clarity and precision.
• Surgeons: Mainly wear green scrubs, a color linked with restfulness and healing.
• Phlebotomists: Typically wear burgundy scrubs, symbolizing their hands-on role with blood.
• CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants): Often wear navy blue scrubs, denoting trust and knowledge.
• Labor and Delivery Nurses: Commonly wear pink scrubs, associated with love and nurturing.
• Surgical Techs: Usually wear green scrubs, representing their role in the operating room.
• LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses): Often wear blue scrubs, symbolizing their competency and care.
• Anesthesiologists: Typically wear cool gray scrubs, reflecting their calming role during surgeries.
• Dentists: Usually choose black or white scrubs, indicating cleanliness and trust.
• Pediatric Nurses: Frequently wear colorful or patterned scrubs to appear friendlier to children.

I chuckle a little every time I hear the word, scrubs. It reminds me of the song by TLC, “No Scrubs“.

A scrub is a guy that thinks he’s fly
And is also known as a busta
Always talkin’ about what he wants
And just sits on his broke ass

So no, I don’t want your number
No, I don’t want to give you mine and
No, I don’t want to meet you nowhere
No, I don’t want none of your time and

No, I don’t want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me
Hangin’ out the passenger side
Of his best friend’s ride
Trying to holla at me
I don’t want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me
Hangin’ out the passenger side
Of his best friend’s ride
Trying to holla at me

Well a scrub checkin’ me
But his game is kinda weak
And I know that he cannot approach me
‘Cause I’m looking like class, and he’s looking like trash
Can’t get wit’ a deadbeat ass

So no, I don’t want your number
No, I don’t want to give you mine and
No, I don’t want to meet you nowhere
No, I don’t want none of your time

No, I don’t want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me
Hangin’ out the passenger side
Of his best friend’s ride
Trying to holla at me
I don’t want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me
Hangin’ out the passenger side
Of his best friend’s ride
Trying to holla at me

If you don’t have a car and you’re walking
Oh yes son, I’m talking to you
If you live at home with your momma
Oh yes son, (I’m) I’m talking to you (baby)
If you have a shorty that you don’t show love
Oh yes son, I’m talking to you
Wanna get me with no money
Oh no, I don’t want no
No scrub, no scrub (no, no)
No scrub (no, no, no), no scrub (no, no)

(repeat 4x)

No, I don’t want no scrub
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me
Hangin’ out the passenger side
Of his best friend’s ride (oh)
Trying to holla at me
I don’t want no scrub (no)
A scrub is a guy that can’t get no love from me
Hangin’ out the passenger side
Of his best friend’s ride
Trying to holla at me

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The Filipino comedian, Jo Koy, has a bit about Filipino Mothers imprinting their dreams onto their children. “Filipino moms have a gift for shitting on your dreams, unless of course you want to be a nurse. That’s cool.” ~ Jo

Jo Koy: Live From Seattle. FUN FACT: My sister was at the taping of the Netflix Special.

More from me later …