Dress Code

The purpose of this Policy is for Trinity Health Corporation and its Health Ministries and Subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Trinity Health”), which includes Mount Carmel College of Nursing, to ensure that all student nurses appropriately represent the organization to the public and to the people to whom Trinity Health provide services.

Appropriate dress and appearance ensures that student nurses look professional and present a positive image of the organization to patients, visitors and the public. All student nurses are expected to contribute to a positive and safe environment by maintaining appropriate dress, hygiene, and neatness of appearance.

The student dress code is enforced with the goal to assure a high standard in professional self-presentation. It is important for Mount Carmel College of Nursing (MCCN) students to recognize their role as representatives of the College and the profession of nursing, in all  settings. Appearance and self-presentation must be commensurate with professional expectations. MCCN’s dress code policy is guided by Trinity Health/Mount Carmel Health System (MCHS) Policy.

Trinity Health, including Mount Carmel College of Nursing, is committed to administering this Policy in accordance with its Mission, Core Values and commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

It is the responsibility of all faculty creating and/or administering examinations to adhere to the practices identified within this policy.  This includes all baccalaureate, graduate, and online-programs.

Student Attire – College Campus Areas - Columbus

Students should present a positive, businesslike, and professional image through dress and actions throughout the College properties.

The following guidelines apply:

• Clothing will be clean, neat, in good repair, properly fitted, not revealing, and appropriate  for the type of work performed, The following is a list of guidelines (please note, this list is not all inclusive): 
• Tank tops, bathing suits, house slippers, and pajamas are not permitted.
• Shorts and skirts cannot be higher than mid-thigh. 
• Inappropriate exposure of skin not permitted.
• Bare feet are not permitted. 
• Proper undergarments are to be worn and not visible. 

Student Attire - College Areas - Lancaster Campus

Students should present a positive, businesslike, and professional image through dress and actions throughout the College and Fairfield Medical Center and affiliated sites.

Mount Carmel College of Nursing-Lancaster students must wear either business casual or standard, burgundy uniform scrubs to the classroom and to on-site school-related activities. Students may wear a long sleeve t-shirt under their scrub top.  Approved colors are: black, white, gray and maroon. Students are permitted to wear approved MCCN spirit wear as tops with burgundy scrub bottoms.  Please take note that spirit wear with a “hoodie” is not permitted.

Business Casual Attire: Includes casual shirts (all shirts with collars, golf or polo shirts, crew or v-neck shirts or sweaters), casual slacks/trousers/pants/skirts/dresses and casual footwear (casual slip-on or tie shoes, dress sandals with heel straps and athletic shoes).

The basic guidelines do not permit:

• Tight or revealing pants/slacks/skirts/dresses including leggings;
• Jeans and jean-like pants/slacks;
• Pants worn below the hip or waist line;
• Suggestive attire including backless tops, crop tops, tank tops, muscle shirts, spaghetti strap tops, see-through  or sheer tops and any other blouse/shirt/top that is revealing;
• Sports clothing and athletic wear;
• Yoga gear;
• Sun dresses;
• Shorts above the mid-calf;
• Casual sandals and flip-flops;
• Construction, hunting or cold weather boots;
• Tee shirts;
• Non-work related hats;
• Novelty buttons and novelty wear;
• Ripped, torn or hole-filled clothing;
• Camouflage;
• Any extreme style or fashion in dress, footwear, accessories, fragrances or hair;
• Visible piercings, including gauges, and body art; and
• Artificial nails in positions having direct patient contact and those whose job has indirect contact with patients (such as housekeeping and patient registration).
• FMC recognizes that personal appearance is an important element in self-expression and allows reasonable self-expression through personal appearance (including concealed body art, limited piercings, other jewelry, and fragrances) unless it a) conflicts with the employee’s ability to perform his or her job duties effectively with the work environment or b) is regarded as offensive or harassing toward patients, co-workers or others with whom FMC conducts business.

Clinical Setting Dress Code (including MCCN Skills and Simulation Labs)

General Dress Guidelines in MCHS clinical settings:
Students must follow any site-specific dress requirements in non-MCHS settings

• The official student uniform must be worn in uniformed clinical sites.
• Clothes must be clean, neatly pressed and have no holes, stains, or frays.
• Clothing must fit properly (not too tight, too loose or revealing). Clothing that exposes cleavage or midriff is not appropriate. Undergarments should be discreet and not readily visible through clothing or above the waistband. Sheer fabrics should be worn with an appropriate undergarment (i.e., camisole or undershirt).
• If long sleeves are worn under the uniform, they must be capable of being pulled to the elbow and remain stationary.
• Buttons, pins, ribbons, stickers, or any items which are not part of an authorized uniform or which alter the professional image that each Health Ministry desires to portray are not permitted. No other logos, outside of Health Ministry approved messaging or writing, may be displayed on any clothing item, mask, or lanyard.
• Student nurses’ footwear must provide safe, secure footing and offer reasonable protection. In accordance with infection control and safety standards, Student nurses who work in patient, resident or client care areas must wear closed toe shoes.
• Hats or caps are not permitted unless they are part of an authorized uniform, worn for protection while working in inclement or hot weather, medically necessary, or for religious reasons.
• A “special dress day” which would allow exceptions to the standard policy may be occasionally promoted. Examples may include: Health Ministry sponsored events, jeans days, etc.
• The Health Ministry will reasonably accommodate exceptions to this Policy if required due to a Student nurse’s religious beliefs or disability.  Student nurses who need such accommodation should contact the college’s Accommodations Coordinator.

Personal Hygiene and Grooming Guidelines:

• Student nurses must practice appropriate personal hygiene (including oral hygiene) and be free of offensive odor (including the smell of tobacco).
• Fingernails will be clean and well groomed. Artificial nails and overlays are not permitted on Student nurses who work in patient care areas. Student nurses who participate in direct patient care or are in contact with the patient’s environment will not wear artificial nails (including, but not limited to, acrylics, overlays, wraps, tips, gels, or bonding).
• Hairstyles may not obstruct vision or limit eye contact.
  • Hairnets, including for beards, will be required in certain departments.
  • As a safety precaution and for infection control purposes, Student nurses providing direct patient care with hair exceeding shoulder length or longer should have hair pulled back or restrained.
  • Nothing in this Policy is intended to prevent Student nurses from wearing a hair or facial hair style that is consistent with their cultural, ethnic, or racial heritage or identity, except for safety reasons that cannot be reasonably accommodated.
• Student nurses must be professional in their use of jewelry/accessories, including amount, size, and styles. Visible body piercings must be small and minimal during the work shift.
  • Wearing of jewelry may be limited for safety reasons dependent on the work area and functions performed.
  • As a safety precaution, Student nurses providing direct patient care may not wear long necklaces, dangling earrings, scarves or ties.
• Any tattoos that may be offensive to others must always be covered, including but not limited to those that contain pictures/symbols/words of a sexual nature, gang affiliations, violence, profanity, or derogatory words/images.
• All cosmetic products, including make-up and lotions must be fragrance free. Make-up must be applied conservatively and in a manner that does not detract from the professionalism of the Student nurse’s appearance. Perfume, cologne or aftershave, may not be used by direct care providers, or if such use causes adverse physiological symptoms for others in the work environment.

Identification Badges

• Identification badge must be worn using a Health Ministry logo or non-logo attached clip, approved retractable badge holder or approved breakaway lanyard.
• Identification badge must always be clearly visible and worn with the name and picture facing forward, visible and attached to the lanyard, collar, or pocket, and above the waist.
• Keys, key cards, the emergency code reference card, pin cards, and a job specific identifier badge may be attached to the badge holder so that they fall behind the badge and do not obstruct the frontal view. No other attachments to the badge or lanyard are permitted.
• Under no circumstances should a Student nurse permit others to use their identification badge.
• If the identification badge is lost, Security must be notified immediately.
  • If a student forgets or misplaces an ID badge, a temporary ID badge must be obtained from the Office of Safety and Security at the front desk of Marian Hall. Lost ID badges can be replaced by Safety and Security and a replacement fee may be assessed. If the front desk is not open, the student is to work with their faculty member.
• Badges must be returned if a student withdraws from the College or takes a leave of absence.
• All students must wear their ID badges while on campus and at all clinical practicum sites.

Laboratory Setting Dress Code

Students are to follow the Clinical Dress Code in all skills labs and simulation experiences. With regard to hair, nails, and jewelry students are to follow the dress code outlined in the Clinical Setting Dress Code section.

Undergraduate Student Dress Code—Non-Uniform Clinical Sites

Students must be professionally dressed in clinical areas not requiring the student uniform.  College identification badges must be clearly displayed. Student dress must be consistent with standards and requirements of the clinical environment and expectations of the faculty and preceptors. Closed toed shoes are to be worn in all patient care areas.

Student Lab Coat Policy

The clean, pressed MCCN lab coat must be worn when students enter the clinical area to study clients’ charts, check assignments, or visit clients. The lab coat is to be worn over professional and neat clothing. The length of dresses or skirts must come at least to the top of the knees.

No hats, jeans, shorts, Capri pants, sweats, sandals, or flip-flops are permitted. The College ID badge must be evident at chest level or above on the lab coat for proper identification.