Dress Code - Nursing Students
All students are expected to follow Donnelly's Nursing Student Clinical Dress Code Policy below for a professional appearance in the clinical setting. Maintaining a professional appearance is essential for representing both yourself and Donnelly College in a manner consistent with the standards of the healthcare profession.
NOTE: A clinical setting includes; the on-site clinical location, and the college on-campus skills lab & on-campus simulation lab.
PN CLINICAL DRESS CODE: (Practical Nurse)
UNIFORMS - Uniforms must be clean, wrinkle-free, not tight-fitting and in good repair.
- PN students are required to wear all red scrubs
- Students are required to wear the student uniform in the clinical and on-campus lab settings when performing clinical work
- Scrub Jackets (white only) may be worn in a clinical setting
- No hooded sweatshirts, no sweatshirts of any kind, and no hooded jackets are allowed in the clinical setting
- Full-length scrub pants required
- Scrubs can include; tops (including turtlenecks), pants, skirts or dresses
UNDERGARMENTS
- Bras must be worn by females and remain completely invisible through scrub tops, meaning skin-toned without loud patterns or bright colors.
- Other undergarments should be worn but not visible
- A solid white or red short or long-sleeved shirt may be worn under the scrub top
SHOES
- PN - Shoes must be solid black
- Supportive tennis or nursing shoes shoes
- Leather or leather-like material that can be thoroughly cleaned
- Footwear must be clean, polished, and in good repair, including clean shoelaces if applicable
- Prohibited: Clogs, sandals, any open toed shoes and boots
SOCKS
- Only solid white or black socks or hosiery are permitted
Please read additional General Dress Code and Grooming information below.
RN CLINICAL DRESS CODE: (Registered Nurse)
UNIFORMS - Uniforms must be clean, wrinkle-free, not tight-fitting and in good repair.
- RN students are required to wear all black scrubs
- Students are required to wear the student uniform in the clinical and on-campus lab settings when performing clinical work
- Scrub Jackets (white only) may be worn in a clinical setting
- No hooded sweatshirts, no sweatshirts of any kind, and no hooded jackets are allowed in the clinical setting
- Full-length scrub pants required
- Scrubs can include; tops (including turtlenecks), pants, skirts or dresses
UNDERGARMENTS
- Undergarments should be worn but not visible
- A solid white or black short or long-sleeved shirt may be worn under the scrub top
SHOES
- RN - Shoes must be solid white
- Supportive tennis or nursing shoes shoes
- Leather or leather-like material that can be thoroughly cleaned
- Footwear must be clean, polished, and in good repair, including clean shoelaces if applicable
- Prohibited: Clogs, sandals, any open toed shoes and boots
SOCKS
- RN - Only solid white socks or hosiery are permitted
Please read additional General Dress Code and Grooming information below.
GENERAL DRESS CODE FOR BOTH PN & RN STUDENTS
ID BADGE
- Students must wear the ID badge provided by Donnelly
- Badges must be worn so they are visible above the waist
- ID badges are for school-related activities only and must not be worn outside of school settings
- Lost badges must be replaced immediately through the college Admissions Department
JEWELRY
- No smart watches
- A simple, plain wrist watch with a second hand is required
- Ornamental or digital watches are not permitted
- Only a single wedding or engagement band (without stones) may be worn with the uniform.
- Earrings must be small and inconspicuous (1 set of gold or silver posts only).
- Note: Check the clinical location rules on earring spacers
- Unacceptable body piercing jewelry include ear gages, spikes, rings and posts in the nose, lip, eyebrow, or tongue
ON-CAMPUS CLASSROOM COURSES & CAMPUS EVENTS:
- Business casual (non-tattered or non-torn) jeans may be worn and clean tennis shoes
- Wedding rings with stones are permitted in class.
- No hoods should be worn on the head while in class.
- No food (without prior permissions) and no gum chewing in class or labs.
- Drinks in spill proof cups only.
GROOMING: HAIR SKIN & NAILS
CLEANLINESS
- Good hygiene such as bathing, use of deodorant and brushing teeth is expected
- Perfumes, colognes and strong fragrances should be avoided, due to patient adverse reactions to scents
HAIR
- Hair must neatly styled, controlled, off the face and off the collar while in uniform
- Long hair needs to be in a pony tail that is pinned up to avoid falling into a work area
- No decorative hair adornments to avoid contamination
- Hair color - natural hair colors (No unnatural, bright or neon colors)
- Permitted - surgical bonnets, solid headband that matches uniform color
- No Hats, scarves, caps and due rags
- Religious and medical head coverings must be appropriate and secured to prevent contamination
- Beards and mustaches must be short and neatly trimmed
- In some medical settings a beard may need to be covered.
- Prior to fit-testing to utilize a N95 mask, all facial hair must be removed
NAILS
- Nails must be clean and kept short (no more than ¼ inch above the fingertip)
- No gel, dip, acrylic, bonded or press on nails
- Artificial nails are not permitted (as mandated by Long-Term Care/Hospital policies)
- Only neutral-colored nail polish in good condition is allowed
MAKEUP
- Conservative, subtle and in good taste
- No false eye-lashes
TATTOOS
- All visible tattoos must be completely covered while in uniform
The following are NOT APPROPRIATE in the learning environment, including classrooms and clinical settings:
- Mini-skirts or short shorts
- Midriff-baring, crop-tops or halter tops
- Low-cut tops or any clothing exposing the chest area, breasts, or cleavage
- Tattered jeans, frayed, or worn pants
- Tight-fitting clothing
- Offensive Sweatshirts, T-shirts and any clothing or accessories with offensive language or imagery
- Sunglasses, hats, ball caps, or brimmed hats of any kind indoors
- Pajamas, house shoes, and slippers