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 purchased at the NJC bookstore as the scrub top has the NJC logo embroidered on it. 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 scrub bottoms may be purchased at NJC’s bookstore or anywhere else scrubs are sold as the logo is not on the pants. 

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. 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.  

4. 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.

5. Complete uniform includes name tag, wristwatch with a second hand, scissors, black pen, pencil, notebook, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, penlight, gait belt and electronic device. Missing any of these items at clinical will result in being sent home and will count as an absence for the student.   Do not bring to clinical your own hand sanitizer or thermometer per facility request.

6. Jewelry and make-up should be kept at a minimum.  Students must not wear nail polish.  Wedding bands and only one pair of small earrings are allowed in the clinical setting. One pair of small earrings is allowed in ears only.

7. No jewelry is allowed in piercings other than the ear lobes.

8. No visible body art or tattoos allowed in the clinical setting.  Any visible tattoos or body art must be covered with a flesh-covered bandage.

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.