Unit Policy
Title
School of Nursing: Professional Attire Policy
Introduction
Purpose
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) School of Nursing (SON) believes that professionalism begins with appearance and attire. The SON Uniform Policy is formulated to ensure high standards of dress and appearance that represent our university to area hospitals and community settings. The values of asepsis, client safety, and client sensitivity are also incorporated into the policy. Faculty reserve the right to ask a student to leave the clinical area if appearance is not in keeping with the SON Uniform Policy.
Scope
This policy applies to all SON students in all programs.
Policy
Undergraduate Student Uniform Policy
Uniform
The official uniform for the School of Nursing may be purchased at UNC-Chapel Hill Student Stores:
- Pewter gray scrub pants (required)
- Pewter gray scrub top with UNC-Chapel Hill SON logo* (required)
- Ceil blue scrub jacket with UNC-Chapel Hill SON logo* (optional)
- Note: When ordering from UNC-Chapel Hill Student Stores, scrub jackets are not pre-embroidered. Please allow 2-3 weeks for scrub jacket embroidery.
- White lab coat (optional)
- White or black leather (or comparable material that is waterproof) professional shoes and white or black socks will be worn with the uniform. No open back/open toe clogs. Shoes should be fluid-resistant, clean and in good repair
- Nametags. All undergraduate students in each option must purchase two (2) nametags (standard size is approximately 1" x 3"). Nametags should have black lettering on a white background and include the following information:
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FIRST NAME LAST NAME
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
UNC-CH SCHOOL OF NURSING
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Nametags
Students must wear a nametag as identification in clinical/research settings. Nametags may be purchased at most uniform or trophy/plaque stores (e.g., Signs Now/Occasions Engraving at 1322 Fordham Blvd. #5 Mariakakis Plaza in Chapel Hill). Name tags and any agency specific ID badges must be visible at all times.
Clinical Settings
The uniform must be worn on days in which you are participating in on-campus clinical and/or off campus clinical at an area clinical agency unless faculty specifies otherwise. The uniform regulations stated above apply to many clinical settings. However, clinical practice dress codes may vary among clinical facilities/sites. Students are expected to adhere to any requirements specific to a particular clinical site. Uniforms are only to be worn in clinical areas, simulation labs or designated community events, such as health fairs.
Professional Attire
For certain clinical areas, or for picking up patient assignment information, attending classes in the clinical setting, or attending special sessions such as orientation in preparation for the clinical assignment, students will be required to wear business attire.
- Scrub jacket or lab coat will be required.
- UNC-Chapel Hill SON nametag is required.
- Pants or slacks to the ankle/shoe.
- Shirts/tops must cover midriff.
- Dresses and or skirts must be covering the abdomen and to the knee.
The following are not permitted:
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Halters
- Sleeveless shirts or camisoles worn alone
- Items with logos other than the UNC-Chapel Hill SON
- Flip-flops, slippers or excessively high-heeled shoes
Accessories
- Jewelry restricted to one wedding ring and no more than one pair of small earrings in the ear lobe. No large or dangling earrings should be worn in the clinical area or lab settings.
- Necklaces should not be visible.
- One watch with second hand is required.
- No other visible body jewelry.
- Visibility of tattoos should be minimized to the extent possible.
- Avoid all heavily scented products, e.g. soaps, perfumes, after shaves, deodorants, hair grooming items, laundry products, etc.
Hair and Nails
- Hair is to be worn off the face, and should be neat as well as comfortable. If your hair is longer than shoulder length, it should be tied back.
- Nails should be clean and neatly trimmed. Only clear nail polish is permitted.
- Artificial nails are not permitted in the clinical setting.
- Male students should be clean shaven or have neatly trimmed beards or moustache.
Other
- A white or light blue colored shirt may be worn under the uniform.
- In addition to the requirements listed above, students must comply with any dress code policies for nurses set by the clinical agency in which students are participating in a clinical experience.
- Gum chewing is not permitted. It detracts from your professional demeanor.
- Cleanliness is an essential part of providing professional care to clients. Attention to personal hygiene and a clean, unwrinkled appearance are required. It is the right of patients to be cared for by staff who maintain high standards of personal hygiene and a related right of colleagues to expect a non-offensive and hypo-allergenic work environment. Students should report at the beginning of each clinical shift with, and maintain throughout their shift, clean clothing, being free of body odor or excessive perfume, cologne, after shave, fragrance or tobacco odor, and with a clean face, hands and fingernails.
Graduate Students
Uniforms
All graduate students in the clinical arena for the academic purposes of fulfilling clinical precepting assignments or conducting research must be identified as an SON student by displaying a proper nametag. During these activities, students are considered individual representatives of the SON; therefore the students' dress and behavior should reflect that professional level of responsibility.
The SON nametag will be attached to the left front (shoulder). The clinical preceptor or policies of the clinical agency in which the academic activity is being conducted will designate specific attire.
Students in the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate Program must wear black scrubs in clinical. Scrubs may only be purchased at the UNC-Chapel Hill Student Stores as the scrub top must be embroidered with the SON logo. Scrubs must be purchased at least three (3) weeks prior to start of the term to provide time for embroidery.
Nametags
Graduate students engaged in clinical practice or research activities must purchase two nametags (standard size is approximately 1" x 3"). Nametags should have black lettering on a white background and include the following information:
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FIRST NAME LAST NAME, CREDENTIALS
GRADUATE STUDENT
UNC-CH SCHOOL OF NURSING
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Students must wear a nametag as identification in all clinical/research settings. Nametags may be purchased at most uniform or trophy/plaque stores (e.g., Signs Now/Occasions Engraving at 1322 Fordham Blvd. #5 Mariakakis Plaza in Chapel Hill).
Exceptions
N/A
Contact Information
Policy Contact
Kacy McAdoo, Assistant Dean School of Nursing
Important Dates
- Effective Date and title of Approver: Revised 12/2008