Grooming and Appearance

Students must exercise good personal hygiene and present themselves in clean, well-fitting, unstained uniforms/clothing without holes or tatters. Scrub pants shall be hemmed appropriately so that the cuffs do not touch the ground.

Undergarments must be worn and should not be seen. Socks or hose must be worn. Socks shall be all-white; if hose are worn they may be neutral, skin tone, or white in color.

Makeup and hairstyles must be in keeping with a professional image. Hair must be fashioned to stay out of the face and eyes; if shoulder length or longer it must be tied back inconspicuously so it does not fall forward when providing care. Moustaches and beards must be neatly trimmed. Fingernails are to be short (no longer than ¼ inch beyond the fingertip) and clean. Acrylic and false fingernails are not permitted as they pose a potential source of injury and infection. Nail polish, if worn, shall not be chipped and should be a professional color. No nail jewelry as it has a potential for patient injury.

Use of scents such as perfumes or heavily scented lotions or deodorants is not allowed in the patient care environment. Students who smoke should not do so in uniform as the odors cling to clothes and can have ill effects on some patients. Students who do smell of smoke or perfume may be sent home from clinical and missed hours may not be made up.

Jewelry should be conservative and appropriate. Body jewelry should be non-dangling or pose potential injury hazard.

Some clinical agencies have grooming and uniform policies that differ from the School of Nursing policies. Students are to follow the grooming and uniform policy that is more restrictive for the clinical setting.