UNIFORM

Students who are participating in the clinical requirements or other designated activities of the Del Mar College, Department of Nursing Education, will be attired appropriately as set forth by the guidelines of the department and/or the policy of the hospital or agency where the student is participating.  The uniform or attire required will be clean, neat and complete. Uniforms, lab coats, or other attire worn for clinical activity must NOT be worn to restaurants, social gatherings, or commercial establishments.

1.   Data collection Attire: During data collection, the student must wear a long white lab coat with the Del Mar insignia, photo ID badge and professional attire. Jeans, tank tops, muscle shirts, sandals, mules and exposed midriffs are unacceptable in the clinical area.

2.   During clinical activities required of the RN program, students will be required to wear a "True Red" two piece scrub nursing uniform.

3. Lab coat: A lab coat is required.  Lab coats will be worn over street clothes, while in the hospital area to collect client/patient data, if the student is not wearing a complete uniform.  The lab coat will also be worn on campus, if the student finds it necessary to wear a uniform on campus.  The lab coat may also be worn at other designated activities where the student is representing the Del Mar College Nursing Department.  The lab coat will NOT be worn in the clinical area while providing direct client/patient care.  The lab coat is NOT to be worn to restaurants, social gatherings or commercial establishments.

4. Insignia: The Del Mar College Nursing Department insignia must be worn on both the uniform sleeve and the lab coat sleeve, when the student is representing the Nursing Department in authorized activities of the program.  The insignia is to be centered and securely and neatly attached on the left sleeve 3” below the left shoulder seam of the uniform and lab coat.  The insignia is NOT to be worn on any uniform or lab coat the student is wearing when NOT involved in authorized program activities, i.e. while functioning as an employee of an agency.  The student may be suspended from the program if the insignia is worn while functioning as an employee of an agency. 

5.  Photo I. D. Card: Students of the Del Mar College Department of Nursing Education will be issued a photo identification badge.  (There may be a small fee.)  This badge must be worn during any and all clinical or other required activities where students will be in a clinical setting, or representing the department in activities of the program.  Students will not be allowed to participate in the designated activities if they are not wearing the photo identification badge. Students are NOT to wear the photo identification badge when they are not participating in the required activities of the program.  The DMC Photo ID is NOT to be worn while functioning as an employee of an agency.  The student may be suspended from the program if the DMC photo ID is worn while functioning as an employee of an agency.  An agency photo ID may NOT be worn or substituted for the DMC photo ID while in the clinical area or in other required activities. 

6.  Uniform shoes: Students will wear white leather uniform shoes.  Shoes must have a closed toe and heel.  Plain white leather athletic style shoes may be worn. Shoelaces must be washed frequently.

7.  Footwear: Beige or white hose/socks are to be worn with white uniform shoes.

8.  Alternate Uniform Requirements: During certain designated clinical activities, students are required to meet the dress code requirements of the clinical agency.  This may include experience in Level II, during the perioperative experiences, and Level III during pediatric, labor and delivery and psychiatric clinical experiences. 

9. Additional Items: The following items will be necessary to carry out many of the required clinical activities.

• Watch: A watch with a second hand and a wristband that allows for adequate hand washing.
• Bandage Scissors: Available at hospital supply stores.
• Goggle: Safety eye goggles should be obtained.  They are available at hospital supply stores.
• Ball Point Pens: The student must have a black pen for documentation in the clinical area.

10.  Scrub Jacket:  A "True Red" solid color scrub jacket may be worn over the uniform.

11.  Nurse Pins- Nursing pins may be ordered by Level IV in preparation for the pinning ceremony.

12.  R.N. Jewelry- Persons must not wear any items identifying them as RN until they have been licensed.

13.  Faculty members will monitor adherence to the grooming and uniform policy. Students will be asked to leave the clinical area if they do not adhere to grooming and uniform policy. If the student is asked to leave, the student will be counted absent due to lack of preparation for clinical activities.

Revised Fall,. 2007