Personal Appearance

Clinical 

The student’s appearance is a reflection of not only him/herself, but also of his/her school and the clinical facility.  Clothing should be clean, wrinkle-free, and in good condition.  Shoes must be clean and mostly black (polished if appropriate). The student should be well-groomed, including well-manicured nails no longer than ¼ inch.  No artificial nails or nail polish of any kind are allowed for nursing students. 

The student will wear the student uniform in the clinical facilities or professional dress depending on the clinical site. When professional dress is required, the student is not to wear jeans, shorts, t-shirts bearing logos or writing, tank tops, short skirts or open-toe shoes. 

1. Uniforms must be black. Scrub tops must be the V-neck style with 2 pockets. The scrub top must have no snaps or buttons. White or Black t-shirts (short or long-sleeved) may be worn under scrub tops.  Long-sleeved white t-shirts must have a band around wrist to keep the sleeves up when pushed up to help protect the sterile field during procedures.  Scrub pants should be at least ankle length and not drag on the floor. If a student chooses scrub pants of the “low-rise” or “hip hugger” style, the pants must cover all undergarments at all times.  Scrub pants with cargo style pockets are appropriate.  Black scrubs and lab coats may be purchased at NJC’s bookstore or anywhere else scrubs are sold.  
2. A black lab coat will be required. Students will wear the lab coat when attending clinical site orientations, certain clinical rotations and when preparing for assignments at clinical facilities.
3. The student will be required to secure a NJC school of nursing patch on the Left shoulder of scrub tops and lab coat. The patch must be secured. The patch should be 3 inches below the shoulder seam and centered from left to right.
4. All students must have mostly black nursing shoes.  High-quality tennis shoes, such as Reebok or Nike, are acceptable as long as they are mostly black (small colored stripe or “swoosh” are acceptable).  Clogs with a back strap may be worn. No open-toed shoes, canvas shoes, or Crocs with holes on the top of the shoe are allowed in the clinical areas at any time.
5. When professional dress is required, the student is not to wear jeans, shorts, t-shirts bearing logos or writing, tank tops, short skirts or open-toe shoes. Dress pants and a nice shirt are appropriate.
6. Clean, well-trimmed, well-groomed hair is required.  All students must wear their hair in a style that prevents hair from being over the face or eyes or that falls freely on the uniform below the collar line. Hair color must be a natural tone. No dyed unnatural colors are allowed (i.e. pink, purple, orange, green, blue or tone variations of these). Male students will have facial hair neatly trimmed. The beard must be no longer than ½ inch.
7. Clean well-manicured nails no longer than ¼ inch is required.   No artificial nails or nail polish of any kind are allowed for nursing students.
8. No false eyelashes allowed in the clinical setting.
9. Complete uniform includes name tag, wristwatch with a second hand, scissors, black pen, pencil, notebook, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, penlight, and electronic device. Do not bring to clinical your own hand sanitizer or thermometer per facility request.
10. Jewelry and make-up should be kept at a minimum. Wedding bands and only one pair of small earrings are allowed in the clinical setting. No jewelry is allowed in piercings other than the ear lobes.
11. Visible body art or tattoos that are offensive, obscene, lewd, crude, or portray or represent nudity, weapons, political figures or crimes are prohibited. Students are required to cover such tattoos with a flesh-covered bandage.
12. Any violation of these standards may result in the student being sent home from clinical.  The missed clinical must be made up according to policy.

Any violation of these standards may result in the student being sent home from clinical.  The missed clinical must be made up according to policy.

Classroom

In respect for the learning environment of others, the student should refrain from wearing revealing clothing. Deep V-necks and pants that do not cover undergarments and the lower back areas should be avoided.  Students may wear street clothes in the classroom. Scrubs are typically required in the laboratory setting.  Students are to wear professional dress for mid-term and end of the semester conferences except when conferences are directly after a clinical rotation and then the student uniform is acceptable.