Ansap Dress Codes For Nurses

ANSAP DRESS CODES FOR NURSES The nurse representation of her profession is also seen in the type of clothes she or he wears at work. For centuries, the profession of nursing has been known as a noble profession. When people think of nurses they see in their mind a person in white administering to the sick, well mannered, and a respectable in appearance. It is an ethical obligation of nurses to be in proper attire that benefits their profession when they go to work. That proper decorum that nurses is expected to observe not only pertains to their behavior and manners but as well as to their appearance and clothing as ANSAP has stated in its guidelines for nurse’s uniform. A proper uniform commands respect for professional nurses. The nurses working clothes or uniform need not be stylish and expensive. What is important is that the clothes are appropriate for work, decent cut/style (such as properly fitted-not too tight or revealing), clean and comfortable. Every institution may prescribe a style of uniform for their nursing employees. But for purposes of uniformity, the following guidelines have been provided by the Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines Inc. (ANSAP) for nurse uniform: 1. Dress Material: Uniforms shall be made of white non-sheen, non-transparent material Without any design 2. Uniform: Style depending upon the policy of the institution uniforms. May be a white dress, blouse & skirt, or blouse & pants. The uniform, especially the collars, must not have ruffles, frills, or laces a. Length: The hemline of the shirts shall reach the second hip line. The shirt of male nurses shall also reach the second hip line b. Fit: The uniform, especially the skirts and pants shall not be tight but fit enough to facilitate body movements. Skirts should be A-line. c. Sleeves: Female nurse’s uniform may be either short or long sleeved depending upon the weather conditions where the institution d. Gala uniform: The institution may prescribe a style for foamal affairs which is adopted as gala uniform. For female nurses, the shoes should not be more two inches high e. Caps: Should be made of well starched and iron cloth. f. Shoes, Stockings and/or Socks: Uniform shoes must be closed and law heeled. While most uniform shoes have wedged soles, it is advisable that shoes with heels should not be more then an inch high to prevent accidents and injuries. Male nurse’s should be made of soft leather. Rubber shoes are not allowed. Shoes shall always be clean and well polished. Stockings are either colored or white. Socks for male nurses should be white. When the female nurses wear blouse and pants, their socks should be white. g. Uniform in Special Areas: Nurses in special areas (Operating Room, Recovery Room, Deliver Room, Nursery, Intensive Care Unit) use special kind of uniforms When they are on duty inside these units. Depending upon the policy of the

Institution, they either change in standard uniform or use smock gowns whenever They go out of the special nursing areas. h. Psychiatric or Pediatric Nurses Uniform: Nurses in these special units may use colored uniforms according to the policy of the nursing service/hospital. i. Hair Style: Nurses should adopt a hairstyle that is both becoming and convenient to manage. Long hair should be put up in a neat netted bun. The hair should not touch the collar line. Should female nurses decide to have bangs, these should reach above the eyebrows. The use of colored ribbons and hair bands is not allowed. Black hair clips may be used. j. Fingernails: Fingernails are cut short. Colorless or pastel colored nail polish is allowed for female nurses. Long fingernails may cause injury to patient’s and are hiding places of microorganisms. k. Jewelry: Aside from the standard wrist watch with second hand, nurses may wear school rings. Married nurses may wear their wedding bands. Small ear studs may be worn by female nurses whose ears are pierced. Earrings are not allowed. Male nurses are not allowed to wear earrings or ear stud. l. Identificaion Tags: Together with the uniform nurses are required to wear identification pins or name plate while on duty. These are attached to the left pocket and displayed conspicuously at all times for proper identification.