Undergraduate Dress Code (Policy UG-06)

Download a Printable Version of Policy UG-06

Effective Date

Fall 2008

Last Revision Date

1/10/2025

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.

Additional Authority

N/A

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:

Business casual attire.
Conservative jewelry only.
“Revealing” shorts, shirts, pants, dresses, etc. are not permitted.
Students will follow agency guidelines for tattoos, piercings, fingernails, hair styles, and false eyelashes.

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

2.2.1 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
Plain black scrub pants of choice and the student may select the style.
A scrub jacket may be purchased in (Cherokee) galaxy blue.
White, gray, orange, galaxy blue 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, half-heeled shoes with no heel strap, and “CROCS,” or shoes with holes in the tops of the shoe.
Nails can pose an infection prevention risk to patients. As such, short natural nails only are required for all students.
- No polish, artificial fingernails or nail enhancements, including but not limited to overlays, wraps tips, gel polish or attached decorations are permitted
- Keep natural nail tips less than ¼ inches long from the tip of the fingers. Nails should be short enough to allow the individual to thoroughly clean underneath them and not cause glove tears.
Hair can pose both a safety and infection risk to students and patients if not properly managed.
- Hair needs to be secured while in all clinical, lab and SIM settings.
- Surgical caps and other devices used to secure hair must be white, gray, orange, galaxy blue or black and in good repair without tears or signs of wear. Other hats or caps are not permitted.
Students will be expected to wear their assigned Galaxy blue scrub uniform for all clinical, skills lab, and simulation center experiences.
Students in the Nursing Program shall wear photo identification badges provided by the SON during all clinical rotations and off-site classes. Identification badges should be worn at chest level. Badge clips should be used, lanyards around the neck should not be used. Additional identification such as the student’s full Boise State University Identification card, or healthcare organization badge, may be necessary in some instances. Students should have them available and worn at all times per organization policy.
Uniforms must have the official Boise State University/School of Nursing logo embroidered on each scrub top and/or warm-up jacket. If opting to purchase uniforms that are not pre-embroidered, please allow sufficient time for the ordering and embroidering process. It is recommended that the student purchase 2-3 full sets of uniforms and at least 1 scrub jacket.
Students will purchase the Cherokee uniforms 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.

Uniformity
3427 N Cole Rd, Boise, ID 83704
(208) 672-8821

2.2.2 Uniform Accessories

These items must be brought to each clinical experience.

A watch that can indicate seconds, analog or digital
Black ink pen
Stethoscope
N95 mask, fitted and size assigned to student, if issued and appropriate for the clinical location.
Eye protection (recommended/optional)

Optional Accessories:

Surgical/nursing cap in solid black, gray, orange 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)

2.2.3 Dress Clarification for Clinical and Didactic Settings:

In some community settings, dress requirements may vary and differ from university policies. As part of the contractual agreements, we must adhere to partner organizational dress and conduct policies when student learning experiences occur within these settings. Students will follow the required mandates of the partner organization during all clinical learning experiences.
Students are expected to be neat, clean, well-groomed, and reflect the professional nature of the nursing profession when in the clinical site, clinical skills lab, simulation center, and classroom setting.
Students will be required to adhere to the guidance of their clinically assigned health system specific to dress/uniform requirements. This includes hair/style, tattoo jewelry standards.
- Any jewelry worn should not pose an infection or safety risk.
- Any dress deemed hateful, inappropriate, or unsafe by faculty/instructors/health system partners, will result in requesting that student change(s) are made immediately.

3. Forms

N/A

None

Last Review Date