IMPLEMENTATION OF DRESS CODE IS REALLY IMPORTANT AMONG PROFESSIONAL

NURSES.

Proper dress code serves a medium to boost professionalism of an individual as part of code of
ethics of professional nurses. Dress codes are standard practice in many professions. How nurses
dress can influence patient care and satisfaction which means that dress codes matter more than
ever. Dress codes have a huge part of being in the working world. It is considered to be a “set of
standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organizations
activity” (Wright Gen, n.p). There are many reasons why dress codes have become so important in
the medical field.

Wearing uniforms help in the formation of professional identity in healthcare. It fosters a strong
self-image and professional identity which can lead to good confidence and better performance in
nursing practice. First impressions are often formed in an instant, so how a nurse appears can
have a significant impact on how a patient perceives the nurse. A uniform serves as a reflection of
how the public identifies the role of the person who wears the uniform.

The big question with dress code is whether or not it will increase or decrease work ethic. For
instance, if allowing someone to wear jeans and a t-shirt and render nursing care to patients and
that’s what they wear outside of work, will they be able to distinguish the difference between the
two? When workers dress casually they could become less focused and alert, according to Dr.
Karen Pine a psychology professor at University of (Forbes). There has been plenty of research to
prove that what you wear actually affects your alertness during the day.

In my own opinion it really important to implement a dress code to professional nurses. For
example, how can the patient trust the nurse if the nurse is not wearing a proper uniform? It may
just add confusion to the patients to question the nurse’s ability to render nursing care to them.
Some patients are very meticulous when it comes to the one who provide health care services to
them. So if you are in the patient’s situation, will you trust someone to render nursing care to you
even if she’s not wearing a proper uniform?

According to article 3 section 11 given by the Professional Regulation Commission – Board of

Nursing as part of the code of ethics for registered nurses that nurses must observed the guideline
to not allow themselves to be used in advertisement that should demean the image of the
profession in highlight to violation of dress code. According to Nursing and Midwifery uniform policy
and dress code, all nursing staff who undertake direct patient care duties, will be required to wear
the appropriate uniform as specified in this policy. Clothing/uniforms should be determined by
clinical need, reflecting dignity and practicality.

One of the most important aspects of implementing dress code is its functionality and proper
grooming. Nurses must be able to bend, stoop, reach and lift in the course of patient care. A
uniform should allow freedom of movement to nurses and shall contribute to the standard of
grooming and hospital hygiene. Whatever the outfit, grooming is important for a nurse. Wrinkled
uniforms, scuffed shoes or dirty fingernails do not present an image that inspires confidence in the
patient.

Another important aspect of dress code is for the purpose of infection control such as nursing
uniforms are frequently subject to spills and stains and should be easy to be clean. And also, by
wearing proper uniform helps to communicate and establish rapport with patients since nurses
have the most frequent contact with their patient compared to other health professionals.

Yes, dress codes matter. A standardized nursing dress code can improve nurse-patient
interactions and increase patient satisfaction. Embrace being the professional you are. With
that, I rest my case.