Practical Nursing Uniform Guidelines
Appropriate dress for the program shall consist of what is generally acceptable dress in health care facilities in the Lake
County area. This is evaluated annually by healthcare industry leaders at the HSE advisory council. The uniform is to be
worn with pride and dignity, and good grooming must be carefully observed. Appropriate dress will constitute a portion of
each student’s professional skills grade. The Program Coordinator will make a final decision regarding any appearance
related concerns. Specifically, this means all Practical Nursing students will wear the following in the clinical and
classroom setting:
Scrubs – approved LTC monogramed red scrub top and black scrub pants. All uniforms must be clean and free
from wrinkles and stains.
Jacket or undershirt – approved black scrub jackets with LTC Monogram may be worn over uniforms, no sweat-
shirts or hoodies. Students may wear a solid black Under Armor style t-shirt or long sleeve shirt under their uniform
if desired for warmth.
Belts – (if worn) are to be black with simple, unadorned buckle, maintained in relatively new condition.
Shoes – all black, (no cloth/canvas), closed heel/toe and hard-soles in oxford or athletic style for classroom and
clinical. Solid black socks must be worn, covering ankles when wearing jogger pant styled pants. Shoelaces, if
applicable, must be clean and black. High heels, clogs, platforms, cowboy boots or high top work boots are
unacceptable.
I.D. – Lake Technical College student picture I.D. is to be worn above the waist whenever the student is in the
classroom or clinical setting.
Scents – no perfume or cologne may be worn. No offensive odors (i.e., body, breath, shampoo, perfume, smoke,
etc.) are acceptable. Please remember that strong perfume, hair spray, coffee, cologne, or cigarette smoke may be
offensive to patients and co-workers. These odors could trigger an acute respiratory episode in colleagues or
patients with respiratory ailments.
Make-up – should be natural appearing, including minimal eye make-up.
Eyelashes - must be natural in color and length. No artificial eyelashes.
Hygiene – good personal hygiene must be observed, including being free from tobacco smell.
For patient and staff safety, the following rules must be followed during clinical days in the classroom, to include
simulation, and in other facilities:
Jewelry – one watch with second hand capability, a plain wedding band (no stones). Earrings - 6mm or less, ball
type or post style, or 10mm hoop earrings may be worn and are limited to 2 per ear. One nasal piercing is
permitted but cannot exceed 1.5 mm. No other visible body piercings (including tongue piercings) are acceptable.
Piercings (other than permitted above) must be removed or replaced with a clear or flesh toned small post. Plugs
must also be replaced with skin tone spacers.
Body art – visible tattoos, Henna, etc. may not be offensive and may require covering. The only exception to this
is the hands because hands are the greatest source for the spread of infection, however, art must not be offensive
in nature. Program Coordinator has final decision as to what is considered offensive. Forearm sleeves in black may
be worn by students to cover tattoos. A pair must be worn.
Fingernails – nail polish, other than clear unchipped polish, is not permitted. Nails should be no longer than end of
fingertip. Nails must be neat and clean. Artificial nails (to include but not limited to gel finish, acrylic, silk tips, Gel
polish, shellac) are not permitted.
Hair – in both classroom and clinical must be worn/secured above the collar and away from the face. Natural hair
color only. (Unnatural colors to include but not limited to: rose gold, silver, pastels, blues, metallic and age
appropriate white. Hair should be secured with clips or solid colored bands that blend with hair color or red or black.
Scrub caps that are solid in color and Black or the same color red as uniform may be worn in clinical setting only.
Headbands and scarfs are not allowed. For safety concerns, cultural headdress may not interfere with the
placement or removal of PPE equipment.
Beards and mustaches – to include goatees, must be clean and close to the face, natural colored (see unnatural
colors list above) and may not interfere with PPE fit testing or wear.
Equipment – watch with the availability of a second hand, stethoscope, pen light, and a pen with black ink., small
notebook, ID badge worn above waist.
Students not meeting dress code guidelines will be sent home to modify their attire to obtain compliance, then permitted