Nursing and Jewelry

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In school, we're not allowed any jewelry during clinicals except small earrings and plain wedding bands, which I understand.

Is it the same in the workplace? I actually wouldn't mind not being able to wear our rings or any bracelets if that is the case.

I guess my main question is about necklaces. Are they allowed at work? or does it vary depending on the dress codes at your place of employment? I just have a particular necklace I have a hard time parting with ( I wear it every day and never take it off), but if I have to...I have to. It's not that big of a deal to me, but it'd be nice to be able to wear at least my necklace if i can't wear my ring.

What is considered acceptable and what isn't when it comes to jewelry in the workplace?

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My school only allows earrings, no other jewelry. The hospital in the town where I live only allows earrings as well. Medical staff are not allowed to wear rings, necklaces or even watches (all rooms have clocks and every room has a computer). Their rationale is that they are fomites, and while a ring might get somewhat clean, under the prongs and settings might not. Seems extreme to me, however our hospital is renowned for having low infection transmission rates.

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Trust me you don't want to wear anything a patient can grab hold of. Especially something around your neck that they can choke you with.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

It will depend on the facility policy and how vigorously it is enforced.We are allowed only plain band type rings and no wrist watches.

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My school only allows watches and plan band wedding rings. The hospital I do clinical at am not sure the exact rules, but a lot of the nurses wear all kinds of jewelry. I guess I probably depends on the hospital, but I personally don't plan on wearing jewelry. You could get patients that would grab your necklace. I don't want to risk taking stuff home to my family or my own safety.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

I think it's going to depend on the dress code for your particular institution. We're allowed earrings -- stud type and no bigger than a quarter. We can wear necklaces that are 18 inches or shorter, a watch and a wedding set. I've never been anywhere that has a stricter policy on jewelry, but I've worked plenty of places with far less strict policies.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

The type of unit may also further restrict jewelry allowances. My facility policy is that earrings less than 1" long are permissible, nose rings up to 1/8" are okay, rings and necklaces are okay. However, I work in the OR. We are only permitted stud earrings that must be covered by our hat, plain bands only (no stones), and no other jewelry. The NICU forbids all jewelry except a single pair of stud earrings. Enforcement of the policy is, shall we say, relatively lax on the general floors. NICU is very strict. OR lets people get away with certain things (such as necklaces long enough to be completely covered by scrubs).

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