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Professional Attire

Purpose: To ensure that nursing students of MGH Institute of Health Professions Graduate Program in Nursing maintain a professional image through appropriate attire, grooming and personal hygiene.

Policy: Students are expected to maintain a professional image both in clinical and academic settings. Appropriate professional attire includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  1. In Clinical Areas and MGHIHP Simulation Lab Activities:
    1. Students must wear MGHIHP identification badges which must be visible always.
    2. Teal scrub uniforms and/or white lab coats must be clean with MGHIHP logo displayed.
    3. Jewelry should be minimally worn in the clinical settings and Simulation Lab.
    4. Body piercings should be discreet. Nose and/or tongue studs should be removed before clinical, or if in place should be flesh colored and minimally noticeable.
    5. Perfume and perfumed products are allergens and should not be worn.
    6. Only small amounts of makeup should be worn.
    7. Nails should be short and neatly trimmed. Only clear or neutral nail polish may be worn.
    8. Follow the CDC policy on “Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.”
    9. Hair must be pulled back from the face and off shoulders. Facial hair must be neatly trimmed.
    10. For cultural or religious purposes, hair may be covered with a solid color scarf.
    11. Footwear should be closed toe and low heel only.
  2. Community Settings:
    1. Professional attire is expected, i.e. business or conservative business casual.
    2. Students must wear their MGHIHP identification badges which must be visible always.
    3. Jeans, exercise outfits, T-shirts, sweatshirts, revealing or provocative clothing should not be worn at any time. Skirts must be an appropriate length that can withstand bending over and lifting.
    4. Midriffs should not be exposed, clothing, buttons/pins or accessory items displaying graphic or written material that may be construed as harassment or offensive are not allowed.
    5. Tattoos should be discreet and covered if offensive/inappropriate language or design is displayed. This may be further restricted by clinical placement.
  3. Classroom Settings:
    1. Students must wear their MGHIHP identification badges which must be visible always.
    2. Students are expected to dress conservatively. Jeans are permitted; shorts and shirts should cover upper thigh and midriff respectively. No provocative dress is allowed.
    3. Any clothing, buttons/pins or accessory items displaying graphic or written material that may be construed as harassment or offensive is not allowed.

Noncompliance with the policy for professional attire may result in dismissal from the classroom, clinical or lab experience and count as an unexcused absence. This policy will be at the discretion of the course faculty.

[Revised October 2016, Reviewed April 2019]