Stop and think about all of the symbols that are common among health professions. First, what is the attire that you will be wearing? Will you wear scrubs, a white coat, or normal attire? What is the symbolism behind scrubs? What kind of “tools” will you carry with you? Will you have a stethoscope around your neck? Will you carry a doctor’s bag? A clipboard? A tablet to record information in an electronic medical record? Have you noticed the type of fountain pens that some health professionals carry in their pockets? It is not unusual to see a Mont Blanc pen that costs $400+. What do your attire and your “tools” communicate to patients? How do health professionals communicate authority, power, and competence through symbols? All of these questions suggest that symbols are an important means to communicate a variety of messages to patients and their family members and to colleagues. For example, research indicates wearing uniforms among health professionals serves a function to help in the formation of professional identity and self-image. Uniforms also lead to enhanced confidence and better performance in clinical practice among nurses. I (Keith Whitworth) have observed that when nursing students begin wearing their scrubs for the first time, there is a noticeable difference in their demeanor. The students wear their scrubs with pride and it is a rite of passage. Their uniform identifies them on campus as being part of the nursing profession and symbolizes the hard work required to gain entrance to the nursing program.