Whether you're a high school student looking at undergrad nursing programs, a college student looking at grad programs, a current nurse looking to further your education or currently work in another field and are looking to change careers, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities out there for you. The trouble is knowing how to find them. Here are just a few of the online tools you can use when hunting down ways to pay for your nursing education. 

Discovernursing.com offers a search engine specifically for nursing scholarships.

Nursewebsearch.com lists many of the major scholarships available.

Nursingsociety.org provides links to both specific scholarships and search engines.

Minoritynurse.com lists many nursing scholarships, not necessarily just those for minority candidates.

Scholarships.com has a list of nursing scholarships.

OEDB.org provides a rather short list of nursing scholarships, but it's worth a look.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing provides information on scholarships, grants and more.

Lab coats are an important part of the professional wardrobe in a wide range of environments, from scientific research labs, to hospitals, to school labs. They provide you with an extra layer of protection--a barrier between you and bacteria, viruses, harsh chemicals and other harmful materials. Whether you're a student in a chemistry lab, a doctor in a busy hospital or a researcher at a major corporation, a lab coat can be an invaluable item in your closet.

The right women's lab coat can not only protect you and your clothing, it can help you to project an air of professionalism. Of course, not all lab coats are created equal. Choosing the right lab coat is a matter not only of functionality, but of style. So what should you look for? We've got some helpful tips for you.

1. Check the dress policy at your place of work or study. No matter how perfect the lab coat for you personally, it'll do you know good if you buy it and then find out you can't wear it.

2. Consider professionalism. A super-cute, trendy lab coat may be appropriate in some environments, but in others, a more sober, traditional lab coat may be necessary to maintain the correct image in the eyes of both your coworkers and patients. 

3. Make a list of what you want. Do you need a lot of pockets for pens and notepads? Are fold-up cuffs an important feature? Write down your requirements and save yourself the trouble of considering options that don't meet them.

4. Invest in durability. It may be tempting to look for the least expensive lab coat you can find, but it won't necessarily pay off in the long run. Look to trusted medical apparel brands for lab coats that won't wear out on you after just a short period.

5. Know your fabrics. Polyester may be cheap, but it's not terribly breathable. 100% cotton and cotton-blend fabrics will be much more comfortable. They are also easy to clean. 

6. Choose a tailored lab coat. Look for brands that offer women's lab coats, rather than unisex. A garment specifically designed for a woman's body will be much more flattering to your figure, and the better fit it provides will also help you to look more put together. Grey's Anatomy, Koi and Landau are just three names to check out.

Let's face it. As hard as it is to find fashionable women's scrubs, it's even harder for men to sift through the selection of blah medical uniforms to find something stylish. Thankfully, more and more scrubs brands are beginning to recognize that the same old pajama-top type scrubs that they've been selling for years just won't cut it in the modern world. However, as these brands gear up, there's still some sifting that must be done. But if you know what to look for, your search will be much more fruitful.

First, you'll want to make sure you buy the correct size for your frame. Nothing makes as big of a difference to how your scrubs look on you as finding the right fit. All major scrub brands provide sizing charts to help you choose the right size in both tops and bottoms. NW Scrubs provides the correct sizing chart for every item right on the product page. Just look for the gray "Size Chart" tab below the photo.

Next, look for scrubs that have more design details to them than a plain pair of pants. For instance, check out the men's scrub styles we've featured below. Using contrast colors for stitching and sleeves on the two tops provides visual interest, as do the pockets on the pants. As a bonus, the Mercer top by Ecko Unlimited (top right) is reversible, allowing you to tone it down if you like.

As promised, here's our follow-up post on what to do once you get those stained medical uniforms home. You've done your best at work to clean as much of the stain off as you could. Now you're at home, and it's time to really get down to business and make those scrubs good as new. What do you do? 

Protein stains: Soak your scrubs in cold water with some liquid detergent with color-safe bleach for 30 minutes. Use your fingers to gently scrub the fabric if necessary. Set your washing machine for warm water and put in a load. If the stain isn't completely out when the load is done, don't dry them! Repeat the soaking and washing process again.

Plant-based stains: Hopefully, your pretreatment with a stain-stick or enzyme wash at work has done a good job on the stain. Follow the instructions on the product for washing the garment. Use a bleach that is safe with the fabric and colors when you launder it.

Grease stains: Again, your pretreatment product should have done its job by now. When you get home, launder your uniforms in the hottest water recommended for the fabric.

Ink stains: If you weren't able to get the ink out completely at work, apply some liquid laundry detergent directly to the affected area. Let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes, then launder your scrubs normally, using the hottest water recommended for the fabric. If the stain is not out when you unload the washer, repeat these steps. Drying the garment will set the stain and make it impossible to remove. 

We all know that perhaps the most important part of dealing with stains on any type of garment is to treat them ASAP. But when your medical scrubs get stained during a long shift, what are you to do? There's no chance of running home to do the laundry. Thankfully, many stains can be pre-treated while you're still at work and then laundered at home. Here are some tips for various types of stains.

Protein stains: Protein stains include those from blood, feces, urine, vomit and other bodily fluids. To treat, run the stain under cold water, scrubbing gently with your fingertips or a clean cloth or sponge. If necessary, use a little bar soap or shampoo to help work the stain out as best you can for the time being.

Plant-based stains: Plant-based stains include those from beverages such as coffee, tea and juice, as well as some foods. To treat, use a to-go stain treatment product. Barring that, flush immediately with water. 

Grease stains: Grease stains include those from ointments and other oil-based products. To treat, use a pretreatment spray or stick. 

Ink stains: Ink stains include those from pens and markers. To treat, use an acetone product, such as nail polish remover. Use an eyedropper to apply the acetone so the stain doesn't spread, then rinse immediately.

Always keep an extra set of scrubs on hand at work in case the stained area is large or you can't get all of it out with these on-the-go remedies. Stay tuned for another post about what to do once you do get back to your washer and dryer.

These wardrobe malfunctions go far beyond the fashion blunders of a garish print or painfully clashing colors. If you think you may be committing any one of them, it's time for a wardrobe revision. Take a trashbag and a merciless hand to the offending garments before it's too late! 

1. Too much chest: Showing too much cleavage in the workplace is considered unprofessional in any vocation--hospitals are certainly no exception. And believe it or not, this one goes for guys as well as gals. Chest hair can be just as uncomfortable for your coworkers and patients.

2. Skin-tight scrubs: The painted-on look is not "in" this or any season. If you've gone up a size or two, there's nothing wrong with that. Just make sure your scrub size comes along with you.

3. Baggy bottoms: Don't neglect to update your wardrobe if you've lost weight, either. Save the saggy butt look for your rap debut. You'll never live it down if you lose your pants at work.

4. See-through solids: If your scrubs are made of thin material, make sure you're not displaying more than you intend. Take a good look in a mirror under good lighting. Wear underwear that's as close a match to your skin color as you can find to prevent the problem.

5. Permanent stains: No one expects you to be able to keep your scrubs spotless all the time with all the mishaps that go on with patients. But be sure to do your best to wash anything off immediately, and if the stain persists even after bleaching at home, retire those garments in favor of a new outfit. Consider it an excuse for a treat.

6. Tatters and tears: Being thrifty is a virtue if not taken to a fault. If you know how to stitch up minor rips and tears, more power to you! But when garments start showing their wear and you can't make repairs, again, it's time for a change.

7. Pant length problems: Do your best to find scrub pants that are the right length. Too long and you run the risk of tripping over them and fraying the cuffs. Too short and you'll bear too strong a resemblance to Steve Urkel.

Surveys show that patients consider all-white scrubs to be the most "professional" look for medical staff. Pristine white scrubs also suggest a cleanliness that reassures both patients and families in an age when hospital-acquired infections are so widely feared. For this and other reasons, many hospitals and nursing schools require students and staff to wear all-white nursing uniforms. But just because your nursing school or workplace policy requires you to wear all-white scrubs doesn't mean you're bound to bland.

There are plenty of truly stylish solid scrubs that come in white. To avoid blending into the walls, you should seek out scrub tops that have a tailored cut to fit your contours. Another option is to find styles that feature unique embellishments or interesting neck- or waist-lines. Piping, ribbon, ruching and pintucks all add a touch of individuality to an all-white outfit. And an empire waisted scrub top with sweetheart neckline is adorable even in solid white.

Check out just a few of the all-white scrubs we offer at NW Scrubs below. Every major brand of nursing scrubs offers at least one all-white option, but we've scoured through our collections to show you a few of the more unique and flattering choices available.

You can find the most stylish scrubs in the world, but if they don't fit you right, they just won't look the best that they can on you. That's why it's so important to order the right size when shopping for medical scrubs. Thankfully, trusted brands know how important fit is to their customers and work hard to make sure that you know what size to shop for. How? By providing size charts.

We at NW Scrubs are also dedicated to helping you find the perfect scrubs, which is why we provide manufacturer's size charts (like the one from IguanaMed below) right on our product pages. Check them out by opening up a product, then clicking on the gray "Size Chart" tab underneath the product image. Here you'll find the size chart particular to that brand of scrubs. It's important to use the size chart from the correct brand, because a size small in one brand is not necessarily the same as a size small in another.

Manufacturers' size charts guide you through selecting the correct size for your body. All you need in order to use them is a cloth tape measure and a little bit of know-how about where to measure yourself. If you know your chest, waist, hip and inseam measurements, you'll be able to pick the correct size scrubs from any brand. It's best to take your measurements when wearing just your undergarments for the most accurate results.

• For your chest: Put the tape measure under your armpits and measure around the broadest part of your chest.
• For your waist: Measure the circumference of your waist at your natural waistline. To find your natural waistline, bend to one side and locate the crease that forms.
• For your hips: Stand with your feet 2 to 4 inches apart and measure around the broadest part of your hips and butt. Use a mirror or a friend to check to make sure you're measuring a level line.
• For your inseam: While wearing a pair of pants, measure from your crotch to the bottom of your ankle. You may want to hold the top end of the tape measure in place while a friend stretches it down to your ankle.

Once you've got your measurements, all you need to do is locate your correct size on the size chart. Your best fit is going to be from a brand that has a size that most closely conforms to ALL your measurements. But since you're not likely to have all your measurements match up perfectly with one size, just make sure that you pick a size that's not too small in any of your measurements. 

As colder weather sets in across the nation, you may find yourself in need of something a little warmer than a short-sleeve scrub top to keep you comfortable throughout the workday. Thankfully, many of the most popular brands of medical scrubs offer options for those in need of a little more warmth during the winter. We thought we'd take the time to tell you about what you can find at NWScrubs to fend of the chills this winter.

Check out our selection of Landau scrub jackets and tee's for everything from warm up jackets, to cardigans, to long sleeve tee's. They come in both prints and solids, and are particularly popular for dental professionals who need extra pocket space. Pair them with your favorite coordinating Landau scrub pants.

Cherokee also offers some great long sleeve uniform options. Browse through all of their collections for cute solid cardigans, tee's and warm ups. Their crew neck tee's with screenprint sleeves from the Workwear collection are particularly attractive. 

Don't miss out on Urbane's stylish scrub jackets, either. Their hoodie is great for a sporty look, or try the Infinity Warm Up Jacket for something more professional. No matter what your style, they've got a cold-weather option for you.

To see more of NW Scrubs' long sleeve options, browse by brand or look by category in Women's Warmup Jackets or Men's Labcoats.

Embroidered scrubs are a great option if you're an employer looking to create an organized look for your workplace. When your employees wear scrubs embroidered with your organization's name or logo, it helps you to present a united front to your clients. They also lend a sense of professionalism. Customers will pick up on and respond to this orderliness and professionalism and will think of your practice as more effective than others. 

Cherokee Workwear scrubs, the most popular nursing uniforms in the U.S., make a great choice for embroidery because they afford you a wide selection of colors, sizes and styles. You also get very high quality scrubs for a very affordable price. You'll be able to offer your employees some options, so that while you'll have a uniform look, they can still retain some individual freedom of choice in their wardrobe.

Once you've made an initial order with NW scrubs, it's easy to reorder because we already have your logo digitized and on file. Pricing depends on the number of stitches required for your logo. Email us the design you'd like embroidered as well as the shirt style and quantity and we'll send you a quote.