Uniform Inspection

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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.

Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

My school told us we would have panty checks to assure we were not wearing thongs and that our underwear didn't show through our clothes. I made sure I had enough granny panties for school. I bought extra uniforms and my mom sewed patches on them for me. I always wore my hair in a bun. I even bought full white shoes.

During the program, about half of the students broke these rules all of the time. Wrong color shoes, hair down or in a pony tail (not allowed for hair to touch shoulders), they showed their tatoos, etc.

A few weeks before graduation we had a substitute at our clinical site who told me she would kick me out of clinicals because my socks weren't the correct color. The entire time I had no idea that there was a sock rule in existence. But I was so sick of my schools ridiculousness that I sent an email to the director telling her about the incident and then I never wore out of dress code socks again. It wasn't worth the hassle.

The moral of the story---just follow the rules even though others may not and get away with it.

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We didn't have an inspection per say, but we would have tat, nail, piercing, shoe inspections. If you looked like you spent the night in your scrubs you were sent home. So glad only our first year was white, the next was grey, and my new job I am in royal blue. We would have three days of clinicals, I always bought a third uniform so I would have a fresh uniform each day.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

I was of the same day as Esme lol we had pinstripe dresses that had a pinafore front or we could wear white polyester pants and a top that resembled the dress. We could wear a navy sweater and always our cap, which had stripes that designated what year you were ( we did

Clinicals at the hospital where 95% of the nurses graduated from my school, so they knew what the stripes meant lol). White hose, neutral undergarments and spotless white shoes. Our name pins had to be on the right side of our uniform. Hair up, minimal makeup ( or you got handed a washcloth), no jewelry except for your watch. And you got looked over in preconference.

We have had some students shadow in my area that I wanted to ask if they knew how to iron or at least wrinkle release! You would think you would want to look your best, or near!

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One of my clinical professors is constantly commenting about my visible underwear (I see lace!) under my white uniform, but it's not my fault they chose white practically see thru uniforms - I'm wearing the uniform THEY picked! Some of the other women wear white leggings under their pants, which is unbearably hot and constricting. I wear very modest boy cut nude briefs and still get complaints. As long as it's clean, crisp and your hair is up and your shoes are clean, honestly--what more can you do?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
One of my clinical professors is constantly commenting about my visible underwear (I see lace!) under my white uniform, but it's not my fault they chose white practically see thru uniforms - I'm wearing the uniform THEY picked! Some of the other women wear white leggings under their pants, which is unbearably hot and constricting. I wear very modest boy cut nude briefs and still get complaints. As long as it's clean, crisp and your hair is up and your shoes are clean, honestly--what more can you do?

Not wear lace underwear? In my school you'd be sent home. Especially in psych & Geri psych as this could trigger issues with some of the clientele

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Not wear lace underwear? In my school you'd be sent home. Especially in psych & Geri psych as this could trigger issues with some of the clientele

I should have clarified - They weren't full lace - they were boyshorts that had a very small amount of trim at the top, pretty much the most modest pair of underwear I could find short of the ones that go up to your ribcage and down to your knees. They are the only ones I've been able to find that don't ride up, which would just create a worse situation. I have a very large, um...posterior, so I don't know if that drew her attention to the matter (there's been comments by the instructor as to that as well, but sorry...that's what size it is). I tried wearing tights under them once but even that didn't help and the poly on poly created so much static that the whole situation looked even worse. Hoping it's the last year of those pants, I'm not the only one who's had problems with them--and yes, I can see the dude's boxers even more clearly than my own underwear, but I don't hear them getting grief over it.

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Ugh why on earth would anyone pick white pants as the mandatory uniform?? That's just cruel, and antiquated. Also, who the hell's business is it if you wear a thong!? As long as your underwear are nude, imo, if the school doesn't want to see them, they oughta pick a different color uniform! SO glad my school pants are khaki.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I should have clarified - They weren't full lace - they were boyshorts that had a very small amount of trim at the top, pretty much the most modest pair of underwear I could find short of the ones that go up to your ribcage and down to your knees. They are the only ones I've been able to find that don't ride up, which would just create a worse situation. I have a very large, um...posterior, so I don't know if that drew her attention to the matter (there's been comments by the instructor as to that as well, but sorry...that's what size it is). I tried wearing tights under them once but even that didn't help and the poly on poly created so much static that the whole situation looked even worse. Hoping it's the last year of those pants, I'm not the only one who's had problems with them--and yes, I can see the dude's boxers even more clearly than my own underwear, but I don't hear them getting grief over it.

Ok that makes more sense. It sounded like full lace Frederick's of Hollywood style by the description of your teachers reaction.

When we did psych at the state hospital that has the criminally insane and sex offenders units on campus a few classmates found out why the dress code was so specific. One looked like she had an appropriate outfit until she took off her sweater and had a neat shirt tucked in to a pair of form fitting pants that would be more suitable for a club night. She took off the sweater as we were touring the unit with the instructor in the front ( she was towards the back). A patient "couldn't help himself " and grabbed her rear. Our school was lucky to be permitted to return!

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Specializes in Hospitalist Medicine.

Our instructor's mantra our 1st semester was "no cleavage, fore or aft!!" :) It's amazing how many people get ill-fitting pants.

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don't pitch a fit - EVER.

we didn't have line up inspections, but I got written up because I didn't have a crease in my pants. We were what kind of undies we could/could not wear.

I say don't try to predict the future and learn to go with the flow

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

While I don't inspect the students, they do walk past my office coming and going. I will mention it to the instructor if I observe any inappropriate attire. Only happens once.

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My school also has white scrubs. I have noticed that not only is it difficult to find underwear to put under them that doesn't leave SOME kind of line, it is also difficult to find pants that are NOT low rise. Being rather gifted in the posterior, this is very frustrating to me, but I would do just about anything to avoid showing "cleavage".

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