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Undergraduate Dress Code (Policy UG-06)

Download a Printable Version of Policy UG-06

Effective Date

Fall 2008

Last Revision Date

April 2023

Responsible Party

Students, clinical instructors, and faculty in the School of Nursing.

Scope and Audience

Students enrolled in the Undergraduate/Pre-Licensure Program in the School of Nursing.

1. Policy Purpose

The School of Nursing requires that students adhere to a dress code when they are in an on-campus or clinical/community-based setting.

2. Policy Statement

2.1 RN-BS Dress Code for Experiential Learning Settings:

Attire for experiential learning experiences are as follows:

  1. Business casual attire.
  2. Conservative jewelry only.
  3. “Revealing” shorts, shirts, pants, dresses, etc. are not permitted.
  4. Moderate make-up and hair styles.
  5. No visible tattoos.
  6. Other than pierced ears, no other visible piercing is allowed. This includes: nose rings, lip rings, and eyebrow or tongue ornamentation.

2.2 Pre-Licensure Dress Code for On Campus, Off Campus, Clinical, and Lab Settings:

Student Uniform worn in on-campus and off-campus clinical settings include:

  • Galaxy blue (Cherokee Brand) colored scrub top with Boise State University Nursing logo. The scrub top must cover the midriff area when lifting arms above the head or bending over from the waist.

Women Scrub Top Styles:

    • Cherokee Style # 2625A, CK605, or 2968.
    • Maternity top must be Cherokee Style # WW685.
    • Unisex V-Neck Top #4725

Men Scrub Top Styles:

    • Cherokee Style # CK900A or #4876
    • Men’s Tuckable V-Neck Top #CKA689
    • Men’s V-Neck Top #CK885.
    • Unisex V-Neck Top #4725
  • Plain black scrub pants of choice and may be cargo pants, drawstring or elastic waist. No hip-hugger, leggings or low-rise styles. The “jogger” style is acceptable.
  •  A warm-up jacket may be purchased in (Cherokee) galaxy blue. The jacket must include the Boise State University Nursing logo. It may be worn over uniforms. They must be kept clean, pressed and may not be worn into isolation areas.
    • Cherokee Unisex Style #4350
    • (Women’s) Snap Front Jacket #WW310, WW340
    • (Women’s) Zip Front Warm-Up Jacket #2391A, #CK300
    • (Men’s) Zip Front Jacket #CK305A
    • (Men’s) Warm-Up Jacket #WW360
  • White or black short-sleeved or long sleeve t-shirts are permitted provided they are worn under the uniform top. The t-shirt must be solid in color and not contain prints or designs.
  • Shoes are a safety factor as well as an important consideration in your health and comfort. Select a well-fitting shoe, either a tie or a slip-on with a heel strap. Non-slip soles are recommended. Shoes may be of any color, in good repair, and clean. It is recommended that the shoe fabric be non-porous and preferably water-resistant.  If there is a pattern or printed text on the shoe, the clinical instructor can determine if said designs/patterns are appropriate and professional, for the clinical setting.  The clinical instructor may request the student change their shoes if inappropriate in nature or unsafe.

The following shoe types are not allowed: open toe shoes, canvas-mesh shoes, half-heeled shoes, and “CROCS,” or shoes with holes.

  • All uniforms must be clean, pressed, and in good repair.
  • Uniform Accessories: These items must be brought to each clinical experience.
    • Boise State University Student Photo ID badge must be worn at all clinical sites/ or off campus areas. The badge must be worn at shoulder level.
    • A watch that can indicate seconds, analog or digital.
    • Black ink pen
    • Stethoscope
    • Approved eye protection
    • N95 mask, fitted and size assigned to student
    • Optional: Surgical/nursing cap in solid black or galaxy blue (Cherokee). The cap should not contain designs, prints or logos.
    • Bandage scissors (optional- per instructor)
    • Penlight (optional- per instructor)
    • Kelly Clamp (optional-per instructor)

The following must be adhered to for dress code:

  • Uniforms must have the official Boise State University/School of Nursing logo embroidered on each scrub top and/or warm-up jacket. Each uniform will also be embroidered with the logo, so students must allow sufficient time for the uniform to be ordered and embroidered. They should be purchased and embroidery ordered no later than one month prior to the semester starting. 
  • Students will purchase the Cherokee uniforms of appropriate style numbers and color at your uniform vendor of choice. The embroidering of the Boise State University School of Nursing Logo can only be done at approved licensing embroidery vendors.  
  • In some clinical or observational experiences, dress code may vary. Students will be notified by the faculty of the specific dress requirements for these situations.
  • Students are expected to be neat and well-groomed when in the clinical site at any time prior, during, or after class. 
  • Hair must be kept clean, neat and well groomed. Hair secured from falling forward when in on-campus and off-campus clinical settings. Hair must be of a natural hair color. Baseball caps, visors, winter ski hats and beanies are not permitted in the clinical setting.  Approved surgical/nursing caps will be acceptable. If a surgical/nursing cap is worn, it may need to be covered per facility policy.
  • Conservative make-up may be used. 
  • Fingernails should be kept clean, rounded and short to moderate in length. Nail polish, pierced or artificial nails are not permitted in the clinical setting due to the infection control risk. 
  • Perfume, aftershave, or other scented cosmetics are not permitted in the clinical setting because it may cause allergic reactions, nausea, or vomiting in patients. 
  • Use of antiperspirants or deodorants are suggested as necessary to prevent offensive odors. 
  • Male students may have beards and/or mustaches provided they are well groomed and trimmed conservatively. Surgical hoods may be required in certain clinical areas to cover facial hair. 
  • Tattoos may need to be covered in the clinical setting based on facility policy. Earrings will be limited to two (2) pairs (4) posts only in ears, no dangling or hoops allowed.  All earlobe gauges must be plugged with a clear or skin tone plastic plug. 
  • No necklaces, long earrings, or lanyards may be worn in clinical settings because they could be grabbed and cause risk to the student. 
  • No visible body jewelry such as lip rings, eyebrow rings or tongue studs are allowed. Piercing retainers are allowed as needed if they are clear or skin tone.  Metal body jewelry, whether visible or not, are a hazard in areas with an MRI machine.
  • Student safety issues in certain areas may include not wearing rings with stones or large settings, as they may rip sterile gloves. 
  • Chewing of gum, tobacco, and candy is unacceptable behavior in the clinical setting.
  •  Students are not to wear uniforms outside of the on-campus or off-campus clinical sites or nursing classes. Students may wear their uniforms to travel between classes and clinical sites. Students should not wear their uniform to non-nursing classes, public events or locations i.e., grocery store, restaurants, movie theater, football game, etc. 
    • Wearing scrubs outside of the hospital setting could be an infection control issue if the scrubs are dirty.  It may also mis-represent Boise State University if worn to a location or event.  
    • Students are encouraged to purchase at least two sets of the uniform.  It is always a good idea to bring both to the clinical setting, should there be a need to change from a soiled uniform.
  • Faculty will advise students of the specific dress requirements for community-based experiences and Boise State University School of Nursing sanctioned functions including but not limited to some courses, SNA events, workshops, and meetings. In general, the student should dress in professional attire using the following principles:  
    • “Revealing” shorts, shirts, pants, dresses, etc., are not permitted. 
    • Business casual attire is highly recommended. 
    • If jeans are worn, they should be clean, pressed and without tears, rips or holes. 
    • Appropriate shoes for the activity.  
  • Students in the Nursing Program shall wear photo identification badges provided by the SON during all clinical rotations and off-site classes.  Additional identification such as the student’s full Boise State University Identification card, may be necessary in some instances and students should have them available at all times.

3. Forms

N/A

Related Information

None

Last Review Date

12/2/22

Revision History

Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Spring 2011, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, June 2020, October 2018, July 2020, June 2021, January, 2022 (policy UG-6 and RNBS-4 combined), April 2022, December 2022, 4/25/2023