Personal Appearance

As a student you represent, not only Clarkson College, but also the professional image of nursing. The following are expectations of the personal appearance of a Clarkson College nursing student.

Dress code policy

1. Hair: Students must have human colored hair. Extreme looks such as multiple colors; extremes in bleaching, dyeing or tinting; or shaved eyebrows are not appropriate. Hair must be clean and pulled back from the face so as not to fall forward while giving patient care. Beards or moustaches for men will be neatly trimmed.
2. Make-up: If worn, is to be conservative and not detract from the attire, uniform or work environment and must reflect a professional image.
3. Nails: Need to be smooth, of a moderate length and clean. Artificial nails, nail polish/products are not to be worn by anyone with responsibility for hand-on patient care, as they are an infection control risk.
4. Jewelry: Decorative jewelry is to be conservative and not detract from the attire or work environment and must not pose a safety/infection risk. Jewelry should be minimal. Students are allowed:
   • No more than one ring per hand (unless otherwise stated by the clinical agency). Plain-type wedding bands are preferred.
   • No piercings on the body are permitted with the exception of one post/stud type earring on the lower ear lobe.
   • Body piercings (other than the one piercing allowed in the lower ear lobe) will be removed for all clinical settings and experiences. Covering up body piercings with Band-Aids or other types of concealing methods (i.e.: clear spacers, retainers or make- up) are not permitted. This includes surgically implanted jewelry.
   • One small necklace that fits snug to neck or is able to be tucked into a shirt is permitted. Dangling necklaces are a safety issue.
5. Aftershave, cologne and perfume: Will be applied sparingly, as patient’s sensitivity to scents/odors must be considered at all times.
6. Tattoos: Visible tattoos are not allowed. If a student has tattoo(s), clothing must completely cover the tattoo(s) or apply a concealing item if in an area that clothing does not cover.
7. Personal cleanliness: Daily attention to one’s personal hygiene is an extremely important component of each student’s overall image. Students will maintain a high level of personal hygiene. Students’ Baccalaureate Nursing Student Handbook 19 © Clarkson College REVISED: AUGUST 2015 breath and clothing/lab coats must not smell of smoke.

NOTE: If a student chooses to wear piercings that are not visible (i.e., under the required clinical attire), Clarkson College will not be liable for injuries that may occur.

Clinical attire

• Clarkson College uniform shirt in pewter grey, Cherokee brand approved style numbers with current College emblem (purchased in Bookstore).
• Pewter grey, Cherokee brand uniform slacks in approved style number, no knit pants. Freshly laundered uniform needs to be worn daily in the clinical setting.
• Clean all white or all black, all leather, closed-toed shoes. No prints, swirls or designs in any color will be allowed on shoes.
• Any shirts under scrubs or Clarkson College polo shirts must be all white, black or grey.
• A Clarkson College white lab coat with current College emblem to cover professional business attire when appropriate.
• Appropriate undergarments under clinical uniform.
• Any exceptions may occur on a course-to-course basis and will be addressed in the course syllabus.

Pre-lab attire

• Clarkson College ID badge.
• A Clarkson College white lab coat with current College emblem to cover professional business attire.
• Business dress casual: pants, slacks, skirts, collared shirts—no jeans or denim apparel (skirts, shirts, etc.), jogging suits, shorts, miniskirts or tank tops.
• Closed-toed shoes.

Accessories

• Clarkson College ID badge
• A conservative watch with second-hand function
• One working black pen
• Bandage scissors
• Stethoscope
• Penlight

Professional presentation is required for all clinical experiences, practical exams, guest lectures, service-learning experiences, and off-campus events, unless otherwise stated by faculty.

Professional attire includes:

• Collared shirt or blouse
• Tops should be of appropriate length to allow for movement and positions such as reaching overhead and bending forward without revealing midriff
• Skirt/dress, dress pants, or khakis
• No jeans, spandex, denim, material that resembles denim, T-shirts, tank tops or short skirts shall be worn
• Shoes shall be comfortable, with a low heel and toes covered: no sandals.

Tattoos

All visible tattoo designs that the average person would find offensive, including but not limited to hateful, violent, profane and/or nudity, must be completely covered.

Jewelry/piercings

• Decorative jewelry is to be conservative and not detract from the attire or work environment, and it must not pose a safety or infection risk.
• Jewelry should be minimal. One small necklace that fits snug to neck, or can be tucked into a shirt, is allowed. Dangling necklaces are a safety risk.
• Single and/or discreet piercings of the ears, nose, lip, tongue, and eyebrow are permitted. Examples of piercings not permissible may include but are not limited to large or multiple loops in the eyebrows, lip or nose, visible transdermal implants, or piercings on other areas of the face Large gauge spacers should be skin-tone or clear.

Additional guidelines:

• Nametags will be worn as directed by the clinical education site policy
• No gum or use of nicotine products, of all forms, is allowed at any time when in professional attire.

The following minimal expectations of personal appearance and conduct will be met at all times:

Hair

Students must have human colored hair. Extreme looks such as multiple colors; extremes in bleaching, dyeing or tinting; or shaved eyebrows are not appropriate. Beards, and/or moustaches must be clean and trimmed. Hair should be clean and pulled back to not distract from lab/class performance.

Make-up 

If worn, is to be conservative and not detract from the attire, uniform or work environment and must reflect a professional image.

Nails 

Need to be smooth, of a minimal length, and clean. Artificial nails are an infection control risk and are not to be worn due to the hands-on care provided by students in classroom, lab, service, and community settings.

Aftershave, cologne, and perfume

Will be applied sparingly, as patient’s sensitivity to scents/odors must be considered at all times.

Personal cleanliness

Daily attention to one’s personal hygiene is an extremely important component of each student’s overall image. Students will maintain a high level of personal hygiene. Students’ breath and clothing/lab coats must not smell of smoke.

Conduct

• Use of personal mobile devices (i.e. cell phones, laptops, iPads, etc.) for non-emergencies, and activities not related to patient care or documentation is prohibited during clinical times.
• Facility computers and equipment are to be used in accordance with facility policy.
• Personal internet use is prohibited during scheduled clinical hours.
• Promptness and respect for others is required by all students toward all other students, faculty, instructors, and guest lecturers. This includes promptness, attention, presentation and posture.

Clinical Student Uniform and Grooming Policy

Students are reminded that how you dress reflects on you, the College and the Profession. In order to exhibit an image of professionalism to patients and visitors and to help the students comply with the various hospital policies, the following dress code will consist of:

*Clarkson College and faculty, and/or Clinical Affiliates and staff are not responsible for misplaced, lost or theft of jewelry.

• Uniform:
  • Cherokee Uniform Company Galaxy Blue scrubs
  • White laboratory jacket (optional) – if worn must specify Clarkson College student on the front. Please note that surgical scrub jackets cannot be worn unless the student is in the surgery rotation.
  • Clarkson College Logo and designation in Radiography embroidered on uniform placed on the left collar of scrub top and laboratory jackets.
  • ID/Name tag – Furnished by College during admission to the College. (This must be worn at collar level.)
  • Personal Dosimeter – Furnished by College
  • White socks or hose
  • White or light gray tennis shoes only, no neon. As needed, pre-approval from the clinical coordinator or Director of the RT Program
• Criteria for Uniform:
  • Uniform must be clean and pressed.
  • Shoes must be neat and clean. No open-toe shoes, boots, or sandals are allowed.
  • The Clarkson College logo must be embroidered on the front of the uniform, scrub top and/or laboratory jacket.
  • The film badge must be worn at collar level, outside protective apron, at all times.
  • Surgical scrubs may only be worn during surgery rotations.
  • If the uniform top does not offer a student enough warmth with the white lab coat (See above) a white short-sleeve or long-sleeve t-shirt may be worn under the uniform top. (No visible print and/or decal on the t-shirt should be seen through the uniform top.)
  • Any student reporting to the clinical site in improper uniform or attire, soiled or untidy uniform, and/or dirty shoes, will be sent home by the clinical liaison or college faculty. Clinical time missed due to this incident will be made up and reported in an anecdotal report. (See Sample Clinical Forms.)
• Grooming:
  • Hair must be neat and clean, if shoulder length or longer must be worn such that it does not fall forward into face or patient when performing duties.
  • Moustaches, beard and/or sideburns should be well groomed.
  • Students should shower or bathe daily and use an adequate deodorant.
  • No scented perfumes, body or after shave lotions may be worn at clinical as it may be objectionable to the ill patient.
  • Students’ breath and clothing/uniforms or lab coats must not smell of smoke.
  • Fingernails should be short, neat and clean. Fingernail polish, if used, should be clear. Acrylic/Shellac nails are not permitted.
  • Make-up should be used tastefully. Bright colors may be offensive to the ill patient and should not be worn at clinical.
• Jewelry & Decorative Body Adornment:
  • Jewelry should be kept simple and to a minimum
  • Rings (only wedding bands are acceptable), some specialty areas may not permit any rings to be worn*.
  • Earrings (Only 1 small post-type stud may be worn in each ear.)
  • Piercing (No body piercing, that may be seen by patients or faculty, are permitted. In the exception of post-type stud earrings as defined above.)
  • Pins may not be worn on the external surface of the uniform.
  • Necklaces, bracelets, and anklets may not be worn at any time.
  • Additional jewelry not listed may or may not be worn at the discretion of the faculty or clinical facility.
  • Tattoos must be covered at all times during clinical rotations.
• Additional Guidelines:
  • No chewing gum while attending patients.
  • Smoking is permitted only during scheduled breaks and in designated areas. See Clinical Liaison for designated smoking areas.
  • Students in the clinical education centers are not to receive visitors or phone calls during their assigned shift unless it is an emergency message. Personal phone calls should be made with public phones and only during scheduled work breaks.
  • Cell phones are not to be utilized during clinical time.
  • Eating food and/or drinking should be done in specifically designated areas at regularly scheduled breaks.
  • Students are not allowed to use the internet for personal use outside of the clinical requirements at the clinical site.