The professional image projected to patients and their families influences their perception of the treatment they receive. It makes people believe that they are in good hands. For this reason, nursing uniforms worn in the clinical area have been highly discussed over the years as to their appropriateness.

Most hospitals want their staff to dress appropriately so that they appear professional. So, managers, department leaders, and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that staff follows the dress code. All employees are accountable for ensuring that they dress up properly for work and appear professional.

This paper will make you aware of the nursing uniform policy in hospitals. 

Definition of Nursing Uniform Policy

It stipulates that all nursing staff who report for duty should wear appropriate work attire for the job.

Applicable To

All nursing and healthcare assistant workers need to follow this policy.

Objectives of the Policy

•         To follow Infection Prevention and Control guidelines.

•         To ensure that all staff is aware of and familiar with the latest evidence on appropriate work attire.

•         To project a professional image.

•         To promote mobility and comfort, so that the wearer can move freely.

•         Lastly, to allow identification for security and communication purposes.

Policy Details

Medical Staff Uniforms

Hospitals have specific uniforms for their workers to help patients recognize nurses.

•         It is essential that employees wear a proper dress for work.

•         Purchased nursing work apparel must tolerate a minimum washing temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

•         Nurses should wear a dress that is appropriately designed for the work environment.

•         All medical staff uniforms purchased must comply with Health and Safety Regulations.

•         Health care professionals should wear full-length trousers that should not touch the ground.

•         Nurses cannot wear leggings, jeans, combat pants, tracksuit bottoms, and canvass trousers at work.

•         Nursing staff should wear a uniform of proper size, neither too big nor too small.

•         Employees must come to work in a freshly laundered uniform.

•         Health professionals should cover the tattoos while on duty. They must not be insulting and must be covered if they are.

•         Employees must wear a badge that displays their name and grade.

Footwear

•         Washable low-heeled non-slip footwear is permissible.

•         Staff cannot wear flip-flops and open-toed shoes for health and safety reasons. Furthermore, they could wear clogs only in the theater.

•         Clean and disinfect the shoes on a regular basis to keep them free of visible dirt and bacteria.

•         Shoes should be made of material that is easily cleaned.

Hair

•         Always keep the hair clean and tidy.

•         Tie the hair neatly away from the face.

•         Discreetly tie your hair with a hairband.

•         Nurses cannot wear bandanas.

•         Facial hair needs to be groomed.

Jewelry

•         Except for a plain wedding band, no jewelry is acceptable on the hands or wrists.

•         If ethnic or religious significance is involved, hospital employees can wear discrete neck necklaces.

•         Care facility staff can only have discreet nasal studs.

•         Only small ear studs are acceptable.

•         Facial or apparent body piercings are not permissible or appropriate at the workplace.

Importance of Wearing Embroidered Medical Uniforms

Wearing work clothes aids in the development of a professional persona in healthcare. It promotes a positive self-image and professional identity, which can lead to increased confidence and performance in nursing practice.

Uniforms Help to Give Professional Identity to The Nurses

Medical staff apparel, like any other piece of work clothing, aids in the identification of health practitioners. Therefore, when people enter a hospital or other medical facility, they can tell who the concerned folks are and where they should go by looking at the uniforms.

They Provide Protection Against Pollutants and Infectious Diseases

Medical clothes and other gear provide adequate protection from bodily fluids. They are made of heavy fabrics. As a result, they keep bodily fluid from leaking through the clothing and onto the person's skin. Additionally, nursing uniforms prevent cross-contamination. Since professional health workers wear these coats, therefore they can enter areas where the public cannot. For instance, the operation room or the quarantine room. However, once the physicians and other employees have left, it is essential to take off the uniform for the cleaning purpose. Resultantly, they will keep everyone safe by keeping potentially harmful illnesses and viruses from spreading.

Nursing Uniforms Provide Comfort and Practicality

Everyone is aware that healthcare employees have to work in some of the most physically demanding jobs in the world. On a regular basis, they have to face dangerous viruses and bacteria. They are also the ones who must remain vigilant at all times. Besides this, these workers have to do some lifting, travel to crisis areas, and make rounds on a regular basis. For this reason, loose-fitting staff uniforms are acceptable. As a result, people can do their tasks without added stress or strain. Proper sized loose-fitting uniforms make all of the individuals' activities easier by keeping them comfortable.