How do you wear your hair for clinicals?

[Kamdyn]

I've been hearing that our clinical instructors are super picky about our appearance at clinicals (As they should be!). Our hair cannot touch our collars but I'm afraid that a ponytail may be looked down on as being sloppy?! I want to look like I care about my appearance but I don't want to spend a long time in doing my hair when I have to be there at 5:30 am!!! Any ideas?

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I threw it in a pony during clinicals and I still throw it in a pony for work. I would love to have one of those cute shorter styles, but most of the time I'm happy to get a shower in before work. Ponies are easy and look fine. Keeps your hair out of the meds too

[frumpter]

Since we aren't allowed to have our hair in a ponytail for clinical I plan on putting it up in a bun. It takes me 10 seconds and looks professional...score!

[mb1949]

just got it cut in a short bob, before that in a ponytail, this is so much easier

[Sniper RN]

I keep it bald

[benegesserit]

My school doesn't allow ponytails. Hair must be "attached to your head" - so in a bun or something. Lots of students use a claw to hold their hair in place.

If they are picky, they'll tell you what exactly they expect, so don't make too many plans before they tell you :) I had thoughts about cutting my hair short enough that it wouldn't touch my collar while in a ponytail, but I'm glad I didn't, since that wouldn't have been allowed anyways.

[Rylee2008, ASN, RN]

I actually just cut my hair into a shorter style because constantly pulling it up was breaking it off. When it was longer I used a clip and pulled it up. I found that with a pony you have a chance of it still being in the way. Also a braid works well.

[ImMrBill3, RN]

I always wore mine in a ponytail with multiple bands to keep it together and in place. I don't think the bun or claw look would have gone over too well since I am male. I wonder what they would have done at some of the places mentioned? I have noticed that many of the working nurses wear their hair down. I always put several bands in so it stays tight and down my back, I agree with the previous poster and don't want to think about what gets in long hair that is loose down the back. I have seen nurses drag their hair across a number of surfaces and substances I really would not want my hair in. I think it is actually sometimes a risk to patients as I have seen hair dragged across wounds. I have never said anything since I am already in a difficult position as a male with long hair.

[Amaka87]

Yeah i'm pretty much going to opt for a pony/bun style

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

Just my two cents worth here as an RN - I think anyone with long hair who wears it down just looks unprofessional - sorry to those who do it. When I'm a patient, I notice - believe me, I notice. Our line of work is not the place to be glamour girls (or guys - kudos to the guy on here with long hair who puts it up/back).

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

I wear my hair down. Its just above my shoulders.

If I get hot I will pull it up, but I usually leave it down. We have no rules or requirements about this.

[NurseKatie08, MSN]

In nursing school, I always wore my hair pulled back into a ponytail. My hair isn't particularly long, at the moment just about an inch or so below my shoulders (when it's straightened--naturally it's curly so it tends to be a bit shorter)

I wear my hair the same way at work now. The thought of what my hair could get into if I didn't really grosses me out.

[checkmarks0725]

I wear ponytails. I'm not used to having my hair down though, aftermath of running cross country all four year of high school I guess. :-)