13 Halloween Costumes for Nurses at Work

Halloween is that one special day of the year when you can swap your nursing scrubs for something a little more exciting (and spooky) without breaking any dress code rules. Balancing fun and functionality are key when selecting the right Halloween costumes for nurses so you can still perform your job duties while enjoying the holiday spirit. If you’re excited to bring some smiles — and maybe a few laughs — to your patients, we’ve rounded up 13 creative and workplace-appropriate costume ideas.

Healthcare Halloween Costumes: Things to Keep in Mind

Choosing the perfect look can be tricky. Here’s a list of important factors to keep in mind as you explore your options for Halloween costumes for nurses at work:

• Comfort: You’ll be wearing the costume throughout your shift, so make sure it’s comfortable enough to stay on during long hours. That means you probably shouldn’t swap your nursing shoes for high heels or combat boots.
• Mobility: Your costume should allow you to bend, stretch, and move freely to perform your work duties. Your patients shouldn’t be kept waiting while you untangle yourself from a pair of fairy wings.
• Safety: Avoid costumes with long, dangling accessories or loose parts that could get stuck in equipment or become a risk for falls. Also, skip masks that might block your vision, breathing, or communication.
• Professionalism: Skip anything that’s too revealing or overly scary, and don’t wear something that could be considered culturally appropriative. Be mindful of patients’ reactions, especially in environments like pediatric or psychiatric care, where a scary costume might turn your shift into real-life horror.
• Hygiene: Your costume should meet workplace infection control standards. Consider how easily you can wear gloves or use hand sanitizer without the costume getting in the way.
• Compliance: Always check with your workplace’s dress code policies before committing to a costume. Some hospitals or clinics may have specific guidelines for Halloween attire.

Keep in mind that our costume suggestions are just ideas. If you can’t keep your fangs or claws clean and hygienic, you might need to try something else.

13 Halloween Costume Ideas for Nurses

Whether you want to celebrate nursing history or show off your playful side, there are lots of great options to express your love for medicine. We’ve put together a list of fun and practical Halloween costumes for nurses.

1. Florence Nightingale

Honor the iconic “Lady with the Lamp” by dressing as Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Simply wear a classic Victorian nurse outfit, complete with a lamp accessory.

2. Patient Costume

Switch roles for a day with a patient-themed costume. Wear a hospital gown (with pants, of course!) and add a comical IV pole. It’s a playful way to embrace the healthcare theme while adding a little humor to the mix. Plus, it’s comfortable and easy to wear.

3. Crazy Scientist

Embrace your inner mad scientist with a lab coat, wild hair, and safety goggles. Add some test tubes or syringes filled with colorful liquids as props to complete the look. This costume is quirky, fun, and lets you stay in your healthcare theme without compromising comfort or professionalism.

4. Space Nurse

Take your nursing skills out of this world with a futuristic space-themed nurse costume. Wear silver or white scrubs, add some outer-space accessories, and you’ll be ready to save patients on another planet. This costume is creative, unique, and still easy to wear throughout your shift.

5. Circus Nurse

Combine scrubs with bright, colorful accessories like a clown nose or playful wig. It’s a lighthearted and cheerful option that’s sure to bring smiles to your patients and coworkers, without sacrificing comfort or mobility. These types of costumes are especially great for pediatric settings.

6. Organs Costume

Celebrate the human body with a creative organ-themed costume. You can even carry a plush organ or two as props. This educational twist is not only fun but can also spark interesting and educational conversations with patients while keeping it lighthearted.

7. Police Nurse

Wear scrubs with a police badge, a toy walkie-talkie, and a police hat. This costume lets you playfully embody the role of a caregiver who also keeps everyone safe.

8. Skeleton

Dressing as a skeleton nurse not only brings a spirit of Halloween but also provides a unique opportunity to engage with patients about anatomy. This Halloween costume for nurses can serve as a fun, interactive way to teach patients about the human skeletal system, making it both entertaining and educational.

9. Ghost Hunter Costume

Haunted hospital? Wear a beige jumpsuit or scrubs with a name tag, and don’t forget to add a proton pack so you can humorously bust through the day’s challenges.

10. Aviator Costume

Channel your inner pilot with an aviation-themed nurse costume. Wear a bomber jacket and accessorize with aviator sunglasses and a flight cap. This costume is sure to be a hit and adds a touch of fun to your nursing duties.

11. Vampire Nurse

Imagine saying, “I need to do some blood work on you” in a vampire costume — it’s bound to get some laughs. Embrace your inner Dracula with a vampire nurse costume that’s sure to turn heads.

12. Hippie Nurse

Wear colorful scrubs paired with a headband, peace sign jewelry, and round sunglasses to create a retro 1960s vibe. This peace-and-love theme is vibrant, positive, and easy to wear while staying functional at work.

13. Pill Bottle

Looking for DIY Halloween costumes for nurses? Wear a white shirt with an oversized prescription label (printed or handmade) pinned to the front. You can add fun medication names like Patience XR 20mg or Vitamin H (Happiness) 500mg.

Last-Minute Halloween Costumes for Nurses

If you’re not in the mood for a full costume this Halloween but still want to get into the spirit, accessories are a perfect way to add a festive touch without the hassle of an elaborate outfit. Here are some accessory ideas that can enhance your nursing scrubs:

• Mad scientist: Wear a wild wig and glasses that scream “scientific genius.” This small add-on to your look allows you to embody the quirky side of the medical field without requiring a full costume change.
• Kids’ movie characters: If you’re working in a pediatric setting, consider incorporating accessories into your outfit. A yellow beanie and a pair of goggles, some ogre ears, or a boy wizard scarf-and-tie set can instantly transform your look into something fun and relatable for young patients.
• Syringe: This comical headband features syringe designs that combine Halloween theatrics with a nod to your profession. It’s a perfect way to show off your love for nursing while keeping the Halloween spirit alive.

Time To Find a Job You Love

If you are a nurse who, besides looking for Halloween costumes for nurses, is looking for a job too, you’re in the right place. IntelyCare can match you with the best-fitting nursing roles in your preferred specialty and location.