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Professional Attire

Professional Attire

Purpose: To ensure that nursing students maintain a professional image through appropriate attire, grooming and personal hygiene.

Policy: Students are expected to remain professional in both clinical and academic settings. Appropriate professional attire includes, but is not limited to, the following: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. No Jewelry that interferes with patient care should be worn in the clinical settings and Simulation Lab (including but not limited to dangling necklaces and dangling earrings)
    4. Body piercings should be minimally noticeable.
    5. Perfume and perfumed products are allergens and should not be worn.
    6. Consistent with the MGH fingernail policy: artificial nails or nail jewelry may not be worn. Natural nails must be well maintained and be clean and short (no longer than ¼ inch). If nail polish is worn, clear polish is preferred to allow for better visualization of the under-nail area, thereby contributing to more effective hand hygiene. Nail polish must be maintained regularly so that it is not cracked, chipped, or scratched Follow the CDC policy on “Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.”
    7. Hair must be pulled back from the face and off shoulders. Facial hair must be neatly trimmed.
    8. For cultural or religious purposes, hair may be covered.
    9. Footwear must be closed toe and low heel only
    10. Tattoos must be covered if offensive/inappropriate language or design is displayed.
    11. Midriffs must 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.

Community Settings (see above and additionally below)

  1. Professional attire is expected, i.e. business or conservative business casual.
  2. 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.

Classroom Settings:

 

  1. Students can dress casually, jeans are permitted; shorts and shirts should cover upper thigh and midriff respectively.

Noncompliance with the policy for professional attire may result in dismissal from the classroom, clinical or lab experience and count as an unexcused absence. Students are responsible for following the professional attire guidelines or policies of any clinical site at which they are learning.

Updated July 2022