From Nurse to Entrepreneur: The Inspiring Story Behind OliveUs, the Best Scrubs of 2025
This is a guest article written by Kathryn Dickson, the nurse entrepreneur who founded OliveUs.
As a nurse, I've always been passionate about providing the best possible care for my patients. But I've also always had a secret passion – fashion. Growing up, I loved sewing and designing my own clothes, and I often found myself thinking about how I could combine my love of nursing and fashion to create something truly special. That's exactly what I did when I founded OliveUs, the medical apparel company that's just been named "Best Scrubs" in Nurse.org’s Best of Nursing Awards 2025.
In this article, I'll share my journey from nurse to entrepreneur, and how I built a business dedicated to making healthcare providers' lives easier and more comfortable.
A Nurse's Perspective
As a nurse, I know firsthand how important it is to have comfortable, functional clothing that can keep up with the job demands. For years, I wore scrubs that were uncomfortable, filled with hormone-disrupting chemicals, had no place for my stethoscope, and often would show my underwear when leaning over patients or bending down to check a chest tube.
But I knew I wasn't alone – I talked to countless other nurses who shared my frustrations. That's when I realized that I had an opportunity to create something better.
I started by designing my own scrubs at work and quickly realized that several of my colleagues also wanted me to make them sets. I then began researching fabrics, designs, and manufacturing processes, and I quickly became obsessed with the idea of creating the perfect scrubs. While making lots of mistakes along the way, I found my path and now work with amazing manufacturing companies and pattern makers.
From Idea to Reality
It wasn't easy, of course. I faced countless challenges and setbacks as I worked to bring my vision to life. But I was driven by my passion for nursing and determination to make a difference. I spent countless hours designing and testing prototypes, working with manufacturers to source the best fabrics and materials, and talking to nurses for feedback and input.
Finally, after months of hard work, OliveUs was born. Our first product was a pair of scrubs that featured a patented stethoscope holder, athletic-wear inspired fabric, and antimicrobial properties. It was a better product than the one I made myself when initially working at the bedside, when I realized I needed clothes to keep me safe and comfortable at work.
A Commitment to Quality
From the very beginning, I've been committed to creating products that are not only comfortable and functional, but also of the highest quality. That's why we develop all our products in the USA, using only the best materials and manufacturing processes.
We're also deeply committed to the nursing community. We believe that nurses deserve the best, and we're dedicated to providing them with products that meet their unique needs.
What's Next for OliveUs?
We're thrilled to have been named "Best Scrubs" for 2025, but we're not resting on our laurels. We're constantly working to innovate and improve our products, and we have some exciting new launches planned for the coming year, including new styles and colors. We're also looking to do more in our communities to healthcare providers.
Conclusion
My journey from nurse to entrepreneur has been an incredible one, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to pursue my passion. I hope that my story will inspire other nurses to pursue their own dreams — whether that's starting a business, pursuing a new specialty, or simply finding new ways to make a positive impact in their communities.
At OliveUs, we're dedicated to helping nurses do what they do best – provide exceptional care to their patients. We believe that comfortable, functional clothing is just the beginning, and we're excited to see what the future holds. We're thrilled to be part of this community and look forward to continuing to serve and support nurses for years to come.
About the Author:
Kathryn Dickson is a nurse entrepreneur and the founder of OliveUs, a medical apparel company dedicated to creating comfortable, functional clothing for nurses. She's passionate about innovation, quality, and giving back to the nursing community. She is still a practicing nurse practitioner and left her bedside career as a floor nurse in November of 2024 after 11 years.
Learn More:
To learn more about OliveUs and our products, please visit our website at foroliveus.com. You can also follow us on social media on TikTok or Instagram @foroliveus.
🤔Nurses, would you rock a set of OliveUS scrubs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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