Nurse Dress Codes: A Key to Professional Practice

What is the dress code for a nurse?

Nowadays, we usually see nurses wearing nursing scrubs. But it wasn't always this way: the evolution of the nursing uniform shows that nurses need style, comfort, and practicality at the same time.

Furthermore, your professional appearance actually impacts your patients’ perception of the nursing care you provide.

This article is for all who are wondering why they’re important and if there is such a thing as a universal nurse uniform.

What do nurses wear?

In the 1800s, Florence Nightingale introduced standardized dresses for nurses as a way to distinguish trained nurses. Over time, uniforms have evolved to be gender-neutral, functional, more comfortable, and easier to clean.

Nowadays, nurses still need to be distinguished from other healthcare professionals. However, a nurse’s uniform is more than just clothing: it serves crucial functions.

Why is it important to have a dress code as a nurse?

Wearing uniforms is essential for nursing professionals for various reasons:

They provide a sense of professionalism.
They allow patients to more easily identify nurses.
They provide a protective barrier between the skin and contact with germs, fluids, and other sources of contamination.

Evidence shows that patient perceptions are influenced by uniforms. Namely, the professional appearance leads them to believe they receive better care.

Dress codes for professional nurses

Different healthcare facilities have different dress codes and uniforms. Some common requirements for nurses include the following:

Scrubs or uniforms: Many healthcare facilities have different-colored scrubs to distinguish their nursing professionals between units. Some hospitals provide the scrubs, and sometimes nurses must purchase their own hospital scrubs.
Footwear: Nurses are encouraged to wear comfortable, supportive, and slip-resistant footwear. This is important for safety and because a nurse's job involves a lot of movement.
Grooming standards: To avoid contamination risks, facilities normally request that nurses wear little or no jewelry, have their hair tied up and clean, and have a good level of personal hygiene.
Undergarments and undershirts: Underwear should not be visible under the uniform, out of respect for patients and for professionalism. Undershirts or clothing may be worn under scrubs, but always following the policies of the facility you are in.
Jackets: Most facilities have rules about jackets, sweaters, or vests. Nurses need to keep warm, so they can wear them according to the rules of each facility.
Gloves and protective equipment: To protect against infection, gloves and other protective equipment should be used according to safety standards.
Accessories: In general, accessories are not recommended for hygienic reasons. However, some accessories, such as a watch that counts seconds, can be very useful for a nurse. Guidelines for tattoos vary greatly. Read more about accessories and discounts for nurses.

There are no universal rules for how a nurse should look.

However, remember that your image helps patients feel safe and well cared for from the start.

Find a balance between professionalism, comfort, and practicality.

Nursing school: Are there student nurse uniforms?

Depending on the program you are in as a nursing student, uniforms vary widely. However, some common features when it comes to student uniforms include these:

Maintain a clean uniform and overall cleanliness. This includes clean hair and minimal facial hair.
Some nursing schools require students to have their uniforms branded with the program logo.
A student ID badge at all times is usually mandatory for your safety and that of the facility’s patients.
Closed, non-slip, comfortable footwear is required. The color scheme might depend on your program's dress code.
Uniforms should be kept as clean as possible, free of stains, tears, or rips, and not too worn.

There is no one single dress code for all nursing students nationwide. Some programs are stricter than others and may have policies regarding your hair, your facial hair, your nails, your tattoos, your accessories, etc.

Special considerations

Beyond standard uniform requirements, some facilities or units in a hospital have additional considerations to enhance safety.

For example, some departments have color coding to distinguish nurses from different departments.

Another example is when a uniform allows religious or cultural accommodations, such as head coverings, as long as they respect hygiene and safety standards.

Depending on the unit you are in, there may be a policy to keep your forearms free of clothing and jewelry to minimize contamination. Whatever the uniform rules or special considerations, generally, these rules are there for a reason.

FAQ: Nursing dress codes

There are really great (and funny) frequently asked questions about how a nurse dresses. Let’s take a look.

1. Do nurses have a dress code?

Yes, nurses have dress codes, which vary depending on where they work or study. Nursing dress codes are designed to ensure some key aspects, such as:

Professionalism
Safety (of the patient, nurse, and facility)
Infection control
Easy identification

2. Why do nurses not wear white anymore?

Nurses do not use white uniforms anymore because they are very difficult to clean. Uniforms in colors other than white are less likely to show stains once they are clean.

Finally, white uniforms have been replaced mainly with scrubs because they are more practical and comfortable without losing professionalism.

3. Can nurses wear earrings?

Generally, facilities allow them if they are small and stud earrings. For safety and hygiene reasons, nurses typically do not wear large or dangling earrings. Policies for wearing earings may vary from one facility to another.

4. Can nurses wear makeup?

Nurses may wear make-up, as long as it is in moderate amounts and does not go beyond the framework of professionalism.

5. Are nurses allowed to wear polish?

Most healthcare facilities prefer that nurses do not wear nail polish. Despite this, many nurses do use light nail polish.

We recommend you check with your facility's rules before getting a beautiful and expensive manicure.

6. What do nurse uniform colors mean?

The colors a nurse wears generally show the place or unit in which they work.

In different hospitals, there are different rules: some healthcare facilities allow you to wear any color scrubs, while in others, there are specific colors to distinguish different professionals.

7. Do nurses have to wear a certain color?

Depending on the facility's policy, some nurses are required to use standardized colors. Other facilities allow nurses to make personal choices, as long as they follow general guidelines and maintain hygiene.

8. Do nurses wear anything under their uniform?

It is not very practical to wear nothing under your uniform. Many nurses prefer to wear undershirts, leggings, or compression socks to get them through the day.

Some nurses even wear undergarments that have a similar color to their skin for professionalism and aesthetics. In addition, there are warm undershirts in case you work in a cold climate.

9. What about tattoos for nurses?

Some facilities are very strict, but nurses are generally allowed to have tattoos as long as they are not offensive, racist, or distracting.

Some facilities require tattoos to be covered, while other facilities have become quite positive about body art. It always depends on the type of facility.

However, if, as a nurse, you want to get a tattoo, you should always find out what the policy is at your facility.

10. What do private nurses wear?

Depending on their workplace and employer, private nurses may wear professional scrubs, business casual attire, or another agreed-upon uniform.

11. What about dress codes for PRN nurses?

But what can you do when your uniform varies frequently because you work at different facilities?

It is important that a PRN nurse inquires about the dress code of the facility they are attending before starting their shift. Regardless of the specific dress code, a PRN nursing clinician should always look professional, keep clean, and follow the general dress code rules.

As a rule of thumb, when picking up a PRN shift at a new facility, ask about general guidelines regarding the nurse dress code. It may be included in their onboarding packet.

Looking to pick up PRN shifts at top rates? Explore open per diem shifts on Nursa.

Nurses: don’t forget to dress your best!

Remember, nursing uniforms and dress codes can vary.

However, maintaining the professionalism that a uniform gives you, as well as taking care of your patients and yourself through your dress code, is part of why you became a nurse in the first place.

Always give your best and dress your best.

Click here if you are interested in learning about the best scrub brands, and don't forget to connect with the best nursing jobs with Nursa.

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