Student Clinical Attire

Policy

1. At the beginning of each nursing course, students are informed of appropriate attire for each division specific clinical agency. Specific uniform attire requirements are described in each campus addendum. Students are held responsible for their appearance and may be dismissed from the clinical area if inappropriately attired, groomed, or adorned.
2. In acute and long-term care, students will wear red professional scrubs purchased from the vendor identified by the CON, unless otherwise instructed by course faculty. The uniform top will be embroidered with UNMC College of Nursing.
3. Nursing students must also have a white lab coat available for use as designated by faculty.
4. An official UNMC College of Nursing patch must be attached to the left sleeve, below the shoulder, of all polos, scrubs, scrub jackets and lab coats.
5. A UNMC photo identification badge must also be worn for all clinical activities.
6. Flat or low-heeled enclosed shoes or athletic shoes that are professional in appearance and clean are to be worn with the red scrubs, unless otherwise instructed by course faculty.
7. For community-based and as instructed by faculty, students will wear a campus identified white or red polo with navy blue or black business casual pants, enclosed dark shoes, and dark socks. The polo will be purchased from the CON identified vendor and embroidered with the UNMC College of Nursing lettering.
8. Simple jewelry may be worn in the clinical setting. Jewelry that poses a potential safety issue or does not comply with clinical facility policies are not allowed. It is the ultimate determination of the clinical faculty if the jewelry should be allowed. If the student does not feel the jewelry should be removed/covered then they will work with the faculty member and the UNMC ombudsman to resolve the situation.
9. Nursing students are expected to exhibit a professional appearance in all clinical settings. Hair must be clean and if long must be tied or clipped back. Extremes in hairstyle and color are not acceptable. Hats, wide headbands (> 2 inches), or any other sort of head covering is not a part of the uniform. Facial hair must be clean shaven or beards and mustaches neatly trimmed. Nails must be short with no polish or artificial nails. Uniforms must fit well (no short tops or bottoms including exposure of upper and lower torso), be clean and unwrinkled. Pants must be neatly hemmed and not touching the floor (Denim jeans and stretch leggings are not acceptable). Garments worn underneath the uniform for warmth must be white or black and tucked in at the waist. The use of perfume or scented lotion is prohibited. Cosmetics should be applied conservatively. Tattoos are allowed as long as they are non-offensive in appearance. It is the ultimate determination of the clinical faculty if the tattoo should be covered. If the student does not feel the tattoo should be covered then they will work with the faculty member and the UNMC ombudsman to resolve the situation.
10. Student dress code requirements may vary based on faculty/facility requirements. Students may be required to change their attire if deemed inappropriate by faculty/facility. Any facility requirements will be communicated to students in a timely manner.
11. Students who wish an exception to any component of the policy for health, religious, or other reasons, should submit a written request for an exception to the Assistant Dean on his or her division. The request must specify the type and appearance of any garment or other component of the policy for which the student seeks an exception. The Assistant Dean will confer with the Program Director, who will confer with appropriate others, will advise the student if the request can be granted, and will communicate any other guidelines that must be followed. Students will be provided written documentation of the approved exception and are responsible for sharing this documentation with faculty and appropriate others as needed. Please note: students who request an exception may find not all clinical settings are able to support their exception. In this case, students will be assigned to a different clinical setting if possible.