Dress Code for Undergraduate Nursing Students

Dress Code Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for appropriate appearance/professional image in the classroom, lab, on clinical sites and when on clinical during clinical preparation.

Clinical agency policies take precedence. Where there is no policy, the following dress code is to be followed.

Classroom/Lab Activities

It is the general understanding that clothes worn on campus are appropriate to wear in a classroom setting and are not provocative in nature. Students are not allowed to wear hats during exams.

During physical therapy or Health Assessment lab sessions, students are asked to wear clothing that allows access to the topical anatomic area while still assuring modesty. Examples include shorts, T-shirts, tank tops. If access is required to spinal landmarks, wearing a gown or sports bra is appropriate.

Standard medical scrubs are required for the cadaver anatomy lab.

Students may be required to wear their uniform (detailed below) during lab and simulation activities, at the discretion of faculty and program leadership.

BSRT students are exempt from wearing scrubs while in lab.

Student Uniforms

The Bellin College uniform consists of selections from a list of clothing supplies for students by The Elite Group. The clothing is embroidered with the Bellin College logo on the upper left pocket area. All required pieces of clothing worn as part of the uniform must be ordered through The Elite Group. Uniform substitutions are not acceptable. The following variations have been determined for each program:

BSRS: Caribbean blue scrub top and bottom with Bellin College logo.

BSDMS: Navy blue scrub top and bottom with Bellin College logo.

BSRT: Pewter scrub top and bottom with Bellin College logo.

BSSA: Ciel scrub top and bottom with Bellin College logo for lab courses.

• Hospital provided scrubs
• White closed-toed, closed-heel and skid resistant shoes for OR purposes only
• Hospital provided bouffant caps
• Hospital provided shoe covers
• Hospital provided scrub jacket
• Hospital provided eye protection
• Optional cloth surgical cap: provided by student and neutral in color and pattern.

BSN: Royal blue scrub top and bottom with Bellin College logo, or white Bellin College lab coat for clinical preparation.

Graduate Nursing: White lab coat.

DPT: Blue polo shirt or pullover and black or gray slacks. A solid-colored cardigan (no logos) may be worn over the polo. Optional Uniform Pieces for DPT include: Sleeveless, short-sleeved, or long-sleeved solid colored shirt (black, white, or gray).

Nursing Assistant: Store bought solid-colored scrubs. If a short sleeved or long-sleeved shirt is worn under the scrub it must be a solid color and tight fit on the sleeves. 

Optional Uniform Pieces

• Sleeveless, short sleeved, or long-sleeved white shirt may be worn under scrub top
• NO hoodies, sweatshirts, or fleece tops or jackets
• If wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt, the sleeves must not extend below the sleeves of the scrub top
• White shirts must be plain, without lace, and logo free and must be tucked in
• Student may wear jogger scrub pants in the same color as the program uniform in settings where scrubs are required
• Cotton snap front scrub jacket with Bellin College logo in the same color as the program uniform

General Clinical Guidelines

ID Badge:

• No alterations to the badge are allowed.
• Badge reels other than those provided by Bellin College must be approved by clinical facilitator before use.
• The badge must be clipped at the top of the scrub top, lab coat or clothing at chest level.
• The badge must always be visible.

Uniform:

• Uniforms are required to be clean and wrinkle-free.
• White closed-toed, closed-heel and skid resistant shoes.
• The uniform must be of an appropriate size. Tops and pants too small, too large, too long, or too short are not acceptable. Tops must cover skin at all times.
• Pants are to be worn at waist level and leg bottoms cannot touch the floor.
• Undergarments should never be visible. Undergarment lines should not be noticeable when bending or reaching. Neutral-colored undergarments, which are not visible, need to be worn under all light-colored attire.
• Variations in any dress code requirements (for psychiatric centers, community/public health, etc.) will be reviewed by faculty prior to clinical.

Hair, Nails and Makeup:

• Hair should be neatly styled, clean, and drawn back from the face.  Hair is to be securely styled in a bun, ponytail, or other method that keeps hair off shoulders.
• Barrettes, hair clips, and headbands must be plain, solid colors free of logos.
• Headscarves (worn as a symbol of religious faith) may be worn but must fastened when working in patient care areas for safety reasons.
• Cloth surgical caps may be worn under the healthcare provided bouffant hats in areas where hats are required.
• Hair cannot be extreme in color or style.
• Beards, sideburns, and mustaches must be neatly trimmed.
• Makeup should be conservative and natural-looking.
• Artificial nails and nail polish are not allowed.
• Natural nails should be clean and short (not to exceed ¼ inch past the fingertip.)
• False eyelashes of any type are not allowed.

Shoes and Socks:

• Students must have a pair of shoes that are for patient care only.
• White clean shoes in good repair are required. The shoes must be closed-toe and closed-heel, and made of a non-permeable (i.e.: not mesh) material.
• Socks must be worn, and should be in a solid neutral color (black, white, or gray).

Jewelry and Body Piercings:

• Acceptable jewelry includes:
  • A plain wedding band (no stones).
  • A conservative, plain wristwatch (no ornamental stones). Fitness bands included.
  • Smart watches can be worn in clinical as long as notifications are turned off for emails and text messages and are kept clean.
  • A single, small post (stud) earring, no bigger than a pencil eraser per ear, to be worn in the lower lobe of the ear.
• Unacceptable jewelry includes:
  • More than one earring per ear
  • Fashion rings
  • Necklaces
  • Bracelets
  • Body piercings on the face, tongue, or any visible body part, are to be covered or removed.

Tattoos:

• Tattoos will need to be covered if deemed offensive by patients, faculty, colleagues, or clinical facility staff. 

General Considerations:

• Students are expected to practice good hygiene, body odor may be an irritant to others.
• Students should not wear scents of any kind.
• No gum is allowed.

Clinical Sites During Clinical Preparation

A professional appearance is expected at all times.

• Students will wear a Bellin College lab coat, student ID badge, and business-casual clothing.
• Socks are mandatory.
• Footwear must be worn at all times and be closed-toe, closed-heel, clean and in good repair.
• Examples of unacceptable attire include, but not limited to:
  • Midriff tops.
  • Low-cut shirts with exposed cleavage.
  • T-shirts with words, pictures, or graphics.
  • Denim, metallic, leather, suede, mesh, sheer or clinging fabrics, or low-rise pants.
  • Sweatshirts, sweatpants, and lounge pants.
  • Capri pants.
  • Shorts.
  • Heels higher than 1.5 inches.
  • Hats or caps.
  • Hoodies, sweatshirts, or fleece tops or jackets.

Consequences and Exceptions

Students who fail to comply with the dress code policy may be subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal from the clinical site and the potential for an unsatisfactory clinical evaluation.

Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for religious, cultural, or medical reasons. Exceptions must be obtained from the appropriate program director prior to attending clinical.