CON Student Clinical Attire

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Student Policies

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER COLLEGE OF NURSING
Student Clinical Attire	Subsection: 5.2.12
Section 5.0 - Student Policies	Originating Date: June 1970
Responsible Reviewing Agency: Undergraduate Curriculum Committee	Revised: October 1998 Revised: December 2002 Revised: March 2007 Revised: May 2010 Reviewed: October 2012 Revised: March 2016 Revised: November 2016 Revised: April 2021

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 mostly white, grey or black, suitable for hospital wear that are professional in appearance and clean are to be worn with the red scrubs, unless otherwise instructed by course faculty. Solid white or black colored socks must be worn with uniforms; patterned socks are not appropriate.
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. This includes one pair of small post earrings in the ear lobe, wedding rings, and watches. No other jewelry is worn in clinical. The use of jewelry must not exceed agency policy. Smart watches may or may not be worn at the discretion of the clinical faculty or clinical agency.
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. All tattoos must be covered. 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.
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.