Dressing for psych

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

So I'm teaching a psych rotation and I'm concerned for what type of clothing the students should wear. I know that whatever is worn should be casual, and layered in case we get attacked. I also think we should be dressed down and not too flashy to attract attention. Any psych nurses have good tips on what to wear for psych?

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Specializes in pediatric.

When I did psych rotation, we had to wear dark pants/slacks (no jeans), and a simple, neutral colored top (navy, brown, gray) with a conservative neckline or turtleneck. Shoes were to be flat and neutral (again: navy, brown, black).

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Specializes in 4.

When I worked at a psych facility, we had 2 choices. We could wear scrubs or street clothes. I never felt comfortable in street clothes, so I usually opted for scrubs. I never wore jewelry & minimal makeup.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Our psych nurses wear scrubs.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

I have guidelines I give to the instructors for their students.

Basically: No lab coats, scrubs, or school uniforms. Business casual, Dockers yes, Jeans no. nothing tight, revealing or provacative, no fragrances, no big jewelry. No bringing anything on the unit they won't need that day. No cell phones.

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Do not dress in anything that can be used as a weapon against you:

No scarves

No lanyards

No necklaces

No neckties

Do not dress in anything that keeps you from being able to move quickly:

No heels

Do not dress in anything provocative:

No low necklines

No tight tops or pants

No short skirts

Minimal make-up

Also, be careful with earrings:

Hoops can get ripped out

Studs hurt like heck when a very very agitated gero-psych patient decides to swing and knocks you upside the ear (ask me how I know that one)

I've seen some students and coworkers wear some questionable clothing and I don't suppose they'll understand it is a bad idea until the doo-doo hits the fan.

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Specializes in retired LTC.

No dangling ponytails or braids or long flowing hair.

I'll bet that NO CELLPHONES will send a few into acute withdrawal. :eek:

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

Business casual. No heels; you want shoes that will let you run if you need to. If you have to try to grapple someone and get them into 4 points quickly, you need to wear clothing that will allow you to move fast.

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"In case we get attacked?

Bigger fish to fry! .. teach CPI..

What does the facility personnel wear.. what does the facility and the teaching institution require?

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Specializes in Med/surg, Tele, educator, FNP.

Hi "been there, done that" , what is CPI? I don't have much psych experience except from floating as in inpatient nursing. This is outpatient. The staff and school require casual dress. The staff however, appears more casual than I feel appropriate. Thr students are wearing things I feel a bit too flashy as in bright colors. I'm not sure what the norm is for outpatient psych. When I did inpatient psych we wore scrubs. When I do rounds in one particular unit "the dangerous unit", the clients appear to be more leering at one of my students. I'm not sure if it's because this students clothes or what? The way they dress is a bit questionable. They did teach us all self defense but I won't to avoid any issues due to something we could have prevented. Thanks for everyone's response :)

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

CPI is a nonviolent crisis intervention training course. It teaches the basics of recognizing and managing escalating behavior in patients...and should that not do it, how to break holds, block blows and a few hands-on techniques.

Outpatient dress code should not be much more different than inpatient, though you're more likely to see business casual than scrubs on the nurses. They also tend to be a little more lax regarding jewelry, makeup, nails, etc., in outpatient. Like you, I don't necessarily agree with it, but it is what it is.

I'd keep the dress code stricter for your students: everything Hygiene Queen posted pretty much covers it. My recommendation is if you're not going to wear scrubs/uniforms, then dress as though you're going to church or to court, just with sensible shoes. And make sure all the Bs (boobs, belly, and butt) are always covered.

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Hi "been there, done that" , what is CPI? I don't have much psych experience except from floating as in inpatient nursing. This is outpatient. The staff and school require casual dress. The staff however, appears more casual than I feel appropriate. Thr students are wearing things I feel a bit too flashy as in bright colors. I'm not sure what the norm is for outpatient psych. When I did inpatient psych we wore scrubs. When I do rounds in one particular unit "the dangerous unit", the clients appear to be more leering at one of my students. I'm not sure if it's because this students clothes or what? The way they dress is a bit questionable. They did teach us all self defense but I won't to avoid any issues due to something we could have prevented. Thanks for everyone's response :)

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CPI is crisis prevention and intervention Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI Training) | CPI.

Certification anyone working in psych should have.

If you feel the students clothing is questionable, take control and mandate an acceptable dress code.

I imagine some students would run wild when street/casual dress is allowed.

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