Clinical Hair

[VampsGal2009]

Hey everyone, I am currently new to allnurses.com and am also a new student enrolled at Dallas Nursing Institute. I start school in three days and am unbelievably stressed about the hair code for our school. The booklet just says "up and off the collar". I have extremely thick hair down to the middle of my back and it is virtually impossible to do anything with my hair other than place it in a ponytail. Even a high ponytail will eventually droop lower and lower because of how heavy and thick my hair is. I have an intense passion for nursing and medicine in general. Going to nursing school means everything to me, and I would hate for my years of schooling to be filled with horrible memories because of hair disputes. Would you consider a ponytail to be "up and off the collar" if the ponytail is still under the collar? Do they just want my hair out of the way of the patient and off my face? If you could please offer your advise, it would be greatly appreciated. Remember I have extremely thick, long hair. I could place my hair into a bun, but the only problem is that in order for me to do it and look professional, I'd have to curl my entire hair before hand (which takes 2 hours to do) and then pull it into a bun. Seems like a lot of extra work considering I start school at 5am sometimes.

[Nomijen]

That would be a no-no for my school. Hair and all its pieces must be above collar. But I would def ask someone at your institution :)

[ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN]

im not understanding why you need to curl your entire head to put it in a simple bun??

i usually throw mine up in a messy bun, or french braid it and bobby pin it under so its not touching my shirt... however, now that im halfway through the program, im finding they are not as strict on us anymore, and ive gotten away with throwing it in a pony tail that (OMG) touches the collar of my shirt... so really it just depends on your school.. feel them out for a while and see if other people get away with certain hair styles..

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

You might want to consider cutting your hair a little shorter and adding layers so that it is a little thinner. This isn't just going to be a problem for school, but for work as well. There are a lot of nursing tasks that require bending or leaning over your patient and long hair can definitely be a problem if it's in a pony tail. Also, there will be times where you have to perform sterile procedures and hair cannot be in the way. You also might have to fit your hair under a scrub cap a it cannot fall out. You don't want I have to struggle with your hair every day. The last thing you want to worry about when trying to insert a sterile foley cath is your hair contaminating the field.

So my advice would be to cut and thin your hair so that you can put it up in a pony tail above your collar, or a bun that won't fall out. Either that or get used I using several hair bands, clips and pins to keep your hair up.

[heavencutstma32]

i don't know how thick your hair is, but i could recommend that right after you wash your hair, comb it then place it up in a bun. That is what I do with my hair. My hair is about down to the middle of my back, also. your hair is the lightest when wet. most people don't believe how long my hair is. normally i pull my hair up like i was going to pull it back in a pony tail, but at the last swoop, i put the pony tail holder at the bottom of the hair and pull it up to the base of the pony tail, then the very is overtop the whole little bun. Bun's never really worked for me, my hair always falls out, but this way my hair doesn't fall out. I always put my hair up, you never want your hair to fall down, into the patient's food, or wound, or when you are doing care.

it is best to have your hair up, unless you have really short hair, then it can be down.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

I am wondering how strict the "Off the collar" hairdo needs to be. Consider anyone who does not have hair long enough to put up; often they wear it down. It's hard to explain, I'm trying to think of somoene who has a hairdo that I am describing, but I'm drawing a blank right now.

My point is, a hairstyle does not have to be completely OFF the neck or collar to be neat and professional. Can you put your hair in one long braid (a low braid)? You mentioned a low ponytail, so that could possible work. As in instructor, I would be ok with that. I had a student who had very long hair (did not cut it for religious reasons) and she always put it in a low bun. She had this way of doing it in a knot (it was pretty cool). But it was thinner than I am assuming your is.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

You also may want to consider seeking out the advice of some upper classmen (who may have similar hair) and asking them a) what they do for clinical, and b) is "off the collar" strictly enforced.

[studentCL2009]

You may want to think about having your hair texturized (thinned out). You can have that done at an upscale salon. You will be able to keep your long hair but have it weigh a LOT less. Then every other time or every two times that you get your hair cut, have it thinned out as well. You would be amazed at how much lighter it will be and easier to blow dry and style. Good luck!

[studentCL2009]

You can also ask someone at a hair salon for help with this issue too. They should be able to give you some tips for styling your hair.

[CaptScrubs13]

I agree with the PP about putting your hair up when it is wet if it is difficult otherwise, although I cannot imagine why you need to curl your hair in order to make a bun??? I also have long, thick hair, but I manage to be able to pull it up to a bun -- I did this for YEARS for dance recitals and competitions and I can make a nice neat bun without a comb or mirror, so maybe that's just me, but it should be fairly easy. Comb your hair back (either no part or a side part), secure with an elastic. Twist the "tail" and then wrap around the base of the elastic, secure with either pins or a second elastic. Spray with some hairspray and voila! Other options may be to braid 1 single braid then twist that into a bun; or use a large claw clip to get your hair off of your collar.

[VampsGal2009]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. To those of you who asked why I need to curl it at all, it's because that's exactly how thick my hair is. A bun is too heavy and will droop down and fall apart. I've tried it with my natural hair being straight. Buns are my worst enemy. When I curl my hair, however, the hair is a lot shorter and the curls make the bun look good. I have also already thinned out my hair and layered it, and it is still too thick and heavy for a ponytail or bun. I'm planning to call the school tomorrow and ask. If you can come up with any more suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

2 words - Spin Pins!!! they work on all thicknesses of hair! - I have very thin flyaway hair and the spin pins work wonders!