Good Form: 7 Simple Tips for Following Hospital Dress Codes

While certain hospitals and healthcare facilities will enforce strict dress codes for their staff, others will allow their people to express themselves with pieces of any design and color from cute ciel blue scrubs to crazy and comical character scrubs – as long as they’re hygienic and identifiable. That said, the nature of the landscape demands a certain amount of mindfulness and even policy to ensure that each and every healthcare worker outwardly represents the seriousness of the role and is perceived positively by patients.

These common dress codes have created the standard image that has survived for centuries in most people’s minds of healthcare workers – and is what people expect and want to see! Healthcare workers have an ethical obligation to wear proper attire that befits their vocation and patients. But what are the benefits? And how do you achieve them and follow one of the strictest dress codes around?

Nursing rules and regulations apply to behavior as much as appearance, but both result in an overall professional image that commands respect and offers comfort through:

A hygiene and infection control perspective
The perception of professional ability (along with actual improved ability thanks to ease of movement, lack of clothing getting in the way, access to equipment from scrub pockets and more)
Ease of identification by colleagues and patients alike
The perception of being a close-knit and high-functioning organization and/or unit

Dress Comfortably

First and foremost, you’ll want to dress comfortably! This isn’t just a good idea but an actual part of your dress code. Especially on your first day before you fully understand your dress code, wearing something comfortable can help you settle into your new role and environment much more easily and inconspicuously, and will allow you to focus on your tasks and avoid unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions and distractions.

Play It Safe

While style and fashion are all about taking risks, your hospital dress code is not. If you’re considering wearing something questionable, opt for a safer choice or the addition of a cover-up. You can always establish what’s appropriate over time by watching what your colleagues wear, but it’s best to play it safe for your initial days on the job.

Keep Your Options Open

Especially when you’re just starting out, you won’t always know what to expect in terms of temperature and tasks at your facility, and you won’t always know how a new brand of scrubs will feel for the day. Wearing layers is a great way to combat all of these challenges and give yourself options – plus, it looks great! For layering, pieces like warm-up jackets, vests, cardigans, undershirts and leggings are all excellent ideas for nurses.

Select Your Scrubs Mindfully

While some facilities may provide a scrub uniform, there is also a chance that you may have to purchase your own scrubs. You’ll want to actually go into stores and try them on – even if you decide to order them online after that in order to use coupon codes or take advantage of online-only sales! Because although most scrubs admittedly do look similar, they absolutely aren’t. Take your time when you try on scrubs and identify what materials, styles and fits you like best. After all, what’s a bit of time shopping when you’re going to spend all of your time from here on out in these scrubs? Sought-after brands like Dickies, Cherokee and Grey’s Anatomy™ scrubs are favorites for nurses for good reason and come highly recommended, so if you’re not sure where to start, this may be a good place!