Uniform Inspection

[saraCOS]

I have the good fortune of starting nursing school at a program that has existed for over 100 years. I love the history (our campus was once a TB sanitarium!) and the old class pictures in the halls. It's interesting to hear from the nurses on this forum who lived through polyester and pinafores and starched hats too. I know that my school is rather specific about uniform policy and I have heard that there is essentially a line-up inspection prior to clinicals. Is this common? I'm a little leery of having my physical appearance scrutinized. I feel like a standard of hygiene and professionalism can be maintained by simply observing and trusting your students. I have even hear rumors that my school does some sort of "panty-line check" How humiliating. Is this a common practice, or should I follow my gut and pitch a fit over this if it actually exists?

I can understand both sides, I have a little experience teaching in a vocational program and know that if you give your kids an inch, they will show up to clinicals in glitter makeup, or unshowered or in a green beanie they refuse to remove (all true stories) But is it necessary to cling to these old traditions of perfect appearance in nursing?

Straighten me out, guys.

[christina731]

At my school, we are MADE, to wear the starched nursing caps. We wear all white uniforms, our tattoos must be covered, hair off the collar, very lite makeup, no jewelry, and we have to wear the white hose under our uniforms. We do get inspected every now and then. It just depends on what type of mood they are in. I'm so thankful to be graduating in August!! I finally get to turn over that ugly nursing cap, for the very pretty nursing cap, lol !!

Just curious, are men in your program made to wear caps? I actually think it's kinda cool to wear the caps but I can't imagine that happening in my program. We have about 30 men in my group of about 100.

[christina731]

I wouldn't necessarily enjoy bending over in front of some lady, but it isn't as if it's some hot young guy. Now THAT would be awkward! If it's your body size you're worried about, I highly doubt the woman could give two hoots. What does she care? She's looking for one thing, likely because some of your predecessors decided to push the limits (in other words, they're doing it for a reason, not to embarrass anyone). I'd get it over and done with, not "pitch a fit," and write about it in the eval, like you said, if it really bothered you.

And you never know, classes ahead of you may have added that detail to make you guys get your panties in a bunch (pun intended lol). Are you sure they even have you bend over?

I agree. I would much rather bend over in front of an old lady than my cute fundamentals instructor! Haha :)

To the OP: just an FYI - skin colored undies are much better under whites than white undies are. You will light up like a christmas tree in white undies especially if you're dark skinned.

[PurpleLover]

My school does not engage in those type of checks. I am sure they give us a look over without being obvious though.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

We did black pants for ours thankfully but we were required to wear white underwear. I said whatever and usually wore a black shirt with whatever color bra underneath since we were allowed to wear a white or black shirt under our white shirts.

[crossfitnurse]

Regardless of what type of inspection they REALLY do, the LAST thing you wanna do is get "labeled" by your instructor for being out of uniform and not "following directions." I always thought of uniform as a silly thing to get in trouble for. Its a standard. So, while some push the limits and try to get away with weird colors or messiness, I just avoid that talk or discipline by just doing what I'm supposed to and sticking to whatever the student handbook says or what rules were given regarding uniform.

The less your instructor or instructors have to get on to you, the better!

[christina731]

Regardless of what type of inspection they REALLY do, the LAST thing you wanna do is get "labeled" by your instructor for being out of uniform and not "following directions." I always thought of uniform as a silly thing to get in trouble for. Its a standard. So, while some push the limits and try to get away with weird colors or messiness, I just avoid that talk or discipline by just doing what I'm supposed to and sticking to whatever the student handbook says or what rules were given regarding uniform.

The less your instructor or instructors have to get on to you, the better!

This is the best advice! Try to fly low on the radar, or better yet stand out with awesome skills or being smart. Not being a smart a-- trying to bend the rules.

[shannon81]

My school is extremely strict on uniformity at clinicals- we totally get lined up. They go by once to make sure you have black non-slip waterproof shoes with a back (no clogs)- then again for hair, again for nails, again for uniform jacket, scrub top, pants, hands, piercings, tattoos showing?, black socks, etc. And yes, your professor will pull you aside if you have pantie lines.

[PersnickityChick]

I've just received some of the instructions about uniforms for my school, and it is pretty specific about the underwear. It says, "Undergarments are required and should not be visible through the uniform. For example, patterend underwear is visible through the material of the uniform. Wearing full cut underwear is required. If a uniform dress is worn a slip should also be worn. (And yes, the one sentence is bold and underlined, so no thongs or g-strings allowed, apparently. I have no idea if they will actually do an inspection, but at this point, that's just part of the adventure.