Candy Striper uniforms - When did they die out?

[angela146]

OK, this isn't technically before my time, but it is so early within "my time" that I don't have a clear memory of it.

My aunt was a candy striper as a teenager in the late 1970's. She wore the cute little red/white striped pinafore with the white blouse and white hat.

There are plenty of hospital volunteers today, many of them around the age of the former candy stripers. But today, they don't wear the uniforms. (At least I don't remember ever seeing a real live candy striper in uniform).

The only candy stripers I've ever seen have been in movies and on Halloween.

When did the pink and white uniforms die out (in the US, primarily but I'm also curious if this tradition was ever observed in other countries)?

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Maybe about the time the 400th porn movie with "candy striper" in its title came out?

Seriously, I believe that was a common trope in the genre, and may have had an effect.

 

[Weird Harold]

My aunt was a candy striper as a teenager in the late 1970's. She wore the cute little red/white striped pinafore with the white blouse and white hat.

Your aunt must have been one of the very last to be a true "candy-striper." The program was closing down in most places over liability/lawsuit concerns by the mid-70's

The late seventies is also about the same time frame as nurses went from starched whites to scrubs for a combination of fiscal and practical reasons.

 

[amicus]

My daughter, who went on to become an RN and then an anesthesiologist Major in the Air Force began either later 70's earlier 80's as a 'candystriper' with that uniform. A hospital volunteer while still in high school.

Did not realize it was now a thing of the past.

amicus

 

[TheeGoatPig]

The last time I had surgery I had candy stripers. One of them was a really cute blond porn type too. Seriously

 

[3113]

The last time I had surgery I had candy stripers. One of them was a really cute blond porn type too. Seriously

And you haven't written a story about this?

 

[Guest]

Candy Stripers have undergone a few changes.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/sweetsubsarahh/candy.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/sweetsubsarahh/candy4.jpg

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/sweetsubsarahh/CandyStripers.jpg

 

[The_Darkness]

I thought the Candy Stripers went out about the same time as the non-hospital affiliated ambulance services......I could be wrong, both were way before my time.

 

[angela146]

The last time I had surgery I had candy stripers. One of them was a really cute blond porn type too. Seriously

When was this?

Did they wear the actual pink and white striped uniforms?

I'm curious as to when I can set a story and realistically have candy stripers in it. Volunteers without the uniforms wouldn't work quite as well.

... Yes, I know, I could set it any time I wanted to since this is fiction, but I dislike anachronism.

 

[TE999]

My wife was a Candy Striper around 1959/1960. She served for about 2 years, but finally quit because she became tired of all the smart-ass remarks from the male patients--and some of the hospital staff. Her sister was one for a while too--but went off to college.

Maybe those 400+ porn films Roxelby alluded to did have an effect.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

And you haven't written a story about this?

I haven't FINISHED a story about this
(unless you want to be realistic about things, in which case I haven't started one either)...

Truth is I think she was a little bit young. I suppose I could write her a little older though

When was this?

Did they wear the actual pink and white striped uniforms?

I'm curious as to when I can set a story and realistically have candy stripers in it. Volunteers without the uniforms wouldn't work quite as well.

... Yes, I know, I could set it any time I wanted to since this is fiction, but I dislike anachronism.

It was about eight years ago, I suppose. When I had my appendix out.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Mat,

Best I can tell from the Wiki article Hospital Volunteers the program continues as part of the volunteer program in some hospital. However, the distinctive "candy strip" uniform has pretty much gone the way of nurse's all-white uniforms.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[3113]

Rump's got it: What is a Candy Striper

There is a place for posting questions and comments on this site. I suspect they can answer you. Do let us know that the answer is; you've got me curious.

To quote:

A candy striper was traditionally a young, female hospital volunteer; a concept that originated in the 1940s. The unique job title represented the candy cane look of the red and white-striped pinafores worn by the volunteers. Traditionally, the girls sewed their own pinafores. East Orange General Hospital in New Jersey claims to have started the first candy striper program in 1944.

During the 1950s and 60s, the popularity of candy stripers was widespread. In general, the goal of a candy striper was to make a patient's stay in the hospital more pleasant. Initially, a candy striper simply delivered mail or patient meals, but as nurses became overburdened, the volunteers took on additional duties. Now, a candy striper might help feed, or read to, a patient; assist as a patient is discharged; or deliver messages. Other duties include transporting book or video carts to patient rooms.

Much has changed in candy striping over the years. In the early years, the training to be a candy striper lasted months, but now most hospitals train the volunteers in a few days. Currently there are male candy stripers; although most hospitals have a higher percentage of young female volunteers than males. "Volunteer" is the more likely term used to refer to a candy striper nowadays, and the uniform is not likely the red and white jumper of years past.

Most hospitals accept volunteers aged 13-18 for candy striping. Hospital volunteers perform a variety of duties, which may include staffing reception areas and gift shops; filing documents; or transporting medical records, lab specimens, and drugs from unit to unit. A candy striper might also assist with cleaning duties in a hospital. In some instances, volunteers only complete clerical tasks, due to insurance liability.

A candy striper program is an excellent introduction to the field of health care. Students who are interested in the medical field often find volunteering or job shadowing at a hospital beneficial. The hospital arranges the volunteer's schedule and the candy striper reports to a volunteer coordinator, nurse or physician.

Most hospitals require potential candy stripers to complete an application and interview session, and to provide character references and parental consent to volunteer. Other requirements include a TB skin test and physical exam. Once a young applicant is accepted as a volunteer, he or she will likely be required to wear a uniform and ID badge, observe all medical center policies, and maintain excellent conduct.

I think it might be cool to set the story in the 50's myself.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Well no wonder I saw one so recently (if eight years is indeeded recent ). It's a hometown Jersey thing

 

[Guest]

Maybe about the time the 400th porn movie with "candy striper" in its title came out?

Seriously, I believe that was a common trope in the genre, and may have had an effect.

That was my first thought.

Can it be a valid sexy story genre anymore? I don't think insurance companies let you stay in hospitals long enough anymore to get well enough to be horny while you're still there.

 

[3113]

That was my first thought.

Can it be a valid sexy story genre anymore? I don't think insurance companies let you stay in hospitals long enough anymore to get well enough to be horny while you're still there.

Maybe if the reason you're in the hospital is minor enough that it doesn't affect horniness? Like say an injured leg or arm? Tonsils maybe? Or is that now an out-patient procedure?

 

[angela146]

Maybe if the reason you're in the hospital is minor enough that it doesn't affect horniness? Like say an injured leg or arm? Tonsils maybe? Or is that now an out-patient procedure?

Well, if the hospital had candy stripers, I would imagine that some guys with injured arms might pay extra to stay overnight.

 

[glynndah]

The hospitals around here have "pink ladies". Little old ladies who volunteer in the gift shop, at the front desk, etc. They wear pink smocks. Not the same as candy stripers at all.

 

[Guest]

The hospitals around here have "pink ladies". Little old ladies who volunteer in the gift shop, at the front desk, etc. They wear pink smocks. Not the same as candy stripers at all.

Unless someone wants to do a unsettling Mature story.

 

[glynndah]

Unless someone wants to do a unsettling Mature story.

An unsettling really, really Mature story. I swear most of those Pink Ladies are one or two steps away from being admitted themselves.

 

[jomar]

The hospitals around here have "pink ladies". Little old ladies who volunteer in the gift shop, at the front desk, etc. They wear pink smocks. Not the same as candy stripers at all.

Blue haired pink ladies. Thanks a lot, glynndah. I'm having trouble getting the image out of my mind.

*closes eyes and imagines Jolie, Theron, Zeta-Jones and others in candy striper uniforms*

 

[Guest]

Blue haired pink ladies. Thanks a lot, glynndah. I'm having trouble getting the image out of my mind.

*closes eyes and imagines Jolie, Theron, Zeta-Jones and others in candy striper uniforms*

Needs to be younger.

Eliza Cuthbert, Amanda Bynes, ...

 

[jomar]

Needs to be younger.

Eliza Cuthbert, Amanda Bynes, ...

Excellent point. Is Jean Granger (Hermione) 18?

 

[Guest]

Excellent point. Is Jean Granger (Hermione) 18?

I went to IMDB.com, and you mean Emma Watson.

You have to wait until next April 15.

 

[jomar]

I went to IMDB.com, and you mean Emma Watson.

You have to wait until next April 15.

Ha! I revealed my Potter ignorance. Okay then, Amanda and Eliza it is.