Uniform Inspection

Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN · May 14, 2014

I doubt that it's that serious, most schools just ask that you look professional. Hair off your collar, little to no jewelry, uniform pressed, if you are wearing white make sure you don't have zebra stripped underwear, you get the gist.

GOOD LUCK!!!

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · May 14, 2014

We didn't have an inspection line, per se. However, the 1st time we were required to be in uniform, they pulled people aside who weren't properly attired. They were given a verbal warning. Next was written warning. No one went further than that. No worries :)

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · May 14, 2014

I would just do exactly as your student guidebook states. Our bookstores provide us iron-on patches but the guidebook states they must be sewn so I took them to the dry cleaners and got them sewn -- I followed down to the littlest detail and haven't had any problems (but, also no actual inspection, either). No panty-line checks, though. That would be weird. Could they tell the guys that we can see their check pattern on their boxers then, too??? I just wear grey Nike Combat Pro compression shorts under my uniform anyhow so that's not a problem. It's just ultimately down to common sense and what maximizes your comfort at clinical. Something you put on and don't worry about for 12+ hours.

msygrnbw · May 14, 2014

I'm not sure what other schools do, but we never had any kind of inspection like you describe. I have a number of tattoos (at least 3 visible at times to patients - on the back of my neck, behind my left ear and on my wrist, but easily covered by a watch) that I worried about at first. No one has ever commented negatively about them. Occasionally patients will ask about one of them, but it is never negative and mostly they just wanna know what inspired me to get them or to connect with me about them - chat about their own tattoos or people they know's tattoos. I also have my tongue pierced and have never removed it for work or clinical. The placement of it makes it hard to see unless I stick my tongue out, so while our policy in school and work says not to wear them, no one has ever noticed/commented.

Aside from that I did the first 2 or 3 semesters with the white shoes and no one really wore them and my others were more comfortable so I changed that and no one ever cared. At work now our dress code says no bright shoes, but a lot of employees wear bright shoes. I like blue ones that kinda match my scrubs. Again, no one has minded. I think as long as you're within reason/well kept hygienic/within reason most people don't notice/care if you're off the dress code a little. I think for a school to be that uptight is probably a knee jerk reaction to something a student did (i.e. writing a super strict policy because someone made a blantant disregard for reasonable dress code).

ThatBigGuy · May 14, 2014

We had people get kicked out of sim lab because their socks didn't cover their ankles (sock-covered ankles were required as part of the uniform). One guy received an official verbal warning for coming to clinicals wearing a Livestrong-type band. My school is the only 4-year school in a sea of 2-year schools, and they feel they need to set the standard for professionalism. Is it a little silly that a black Nike check on an otherwise-all-white shoe is unacceptable when the dress code calls for all-white shoes? Perhaps, but as a group, we present ourselves are professionals.

Follow your guidelines to a T. If you really feel the need to rock the boat, let someone else rock it first, see if they tip the boat over. The last thing you want to do is develop the reputation as a boundary-pusher so early in your schooling. Trust me, nursing faculty are a tight-knit group and your reputation will precede you.

fuzzy911 · May 14, 2014

Back in the day, my two year program gave me a warning because my smock was "wrinkled". It was wrinkled in the back from driving into clinical. Needless to say I found a coat Hanger for the next ride. The trick is to lay low and not make waves in school. Is it really worth the chance of losing your spot (which there are hundreds of others dying to take) to prove a point that you will undoubtly lose? Btw I'm not old, only 32 & trendy my self, but dialed it back for school

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 14, 2014

Choose your battles wisely! Don't get your head above the radar before you even start.

I come from that generation of white hose, white shoes (no sneakers), starched white cap, and hideous polyester white uniform with a horrible BRIGHT yellow pinafore.

I beleive that in shcool it is acceptable to teah the students professional attire. I have LONG learned that just saying it doesn't imply compliance. I know of dress codes in hospitals that specify no colored undergarments that can be seen through white pants. Yes I think it is acceptable. Police have inspections, firemen have inspections, the military have inspections....so yes I think ensuring that there is uniform compliance is acceptable.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · May 14, 2014

I really wish the schools who come to my hospital for clinicals would have inspections. People wear size 8 when a 12 would actually fit. Short dresses (why dresses?!?) that show too much when they lean over. Deep necklines. White (tight) pants and animal print underwear. Don't these people have MIRRORS? Guys are not so much a problem. Some do not know how to iron, but at least the clothes fit.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · May 14, 2014

We were checked in sim lab for the basics. (Different uniform than clinical) socks to mid calf or higher, white shoes or sneakers, hair up off collar (male or female), no jewelry except one pair of non-stone or non-stone studs per ear, basic wedding band ( no stones) uniform neat, clean and well fitting. Patches in place. All tattoos covered. Long sleeves in an acceptable cover with cuffed sleeves. (White, black, gray no visible logo above scrub collar).

Verbal warnings for noncompliance.

The week before clinicals started we had to report to school in uniform. They had a uniform "bank" if someone needed a better fit. Well fitting. Shoes white & clean (they had polish if needed) uniform well fitting, no visible underwear (we had white pants. Male or female that chose to wear visible patterns were given a verbal warning. Sent home with a "0" if showed up to clinical without meeting dress code standards.

The program I attended is highly respected. Staff comments on our professional attire and (more often than not) professional demeanor Reputation means a lot in nursing

SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN · May 14, 2014

We were inspected before our first clinical on the floor. Clean, unwrinkled, white uniform, no tats showing, neutral make-up and nail polish (if wearing it), trimmed nails, hair off the color, watch with a second hand, white shoes, white socks longer than ankle length, no undergarments showing, no piercings other than 1 stud in the ear, no jewelry except a wedding band. We are a reflection of the school and they want to put their best foot forward.

SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN · May 14, 2014

Oh, they also checked to make sure our patches were sewn on correctly and our name badges were correct.