How to properly wear a nursing uniform?

Properly using nursing uniforms means starting the day with a clean, dry, well-maintained, and properly sized garment; respecting institutional dress codes; changing it when wet or contaminated; and handling it according to workplace protocol at the end of the shift.

The color, design, use of name tags, type of footwear, and additional garments may vary between hospitals, clinics, schools, and care areas. Therefore, there is no single presentation rule that applies uniformly to all nursing staff.

Basic rules for wearing nursing uniforms

Before following general recommendations, each professional should review their hospital, clinic, university, or practice center's regulations. An institution may assign colors by department, require a specific model, restrict certain accessories, or mandate that uniforms be donned and doffed within its facilities.

In Mexico, NOM-019-SSA3-2013 establishes criteria for nursing practice in the National Health System. Specific details regarding color, logo, name tag, footwear, and personal presentation are usually defined by each institution's internal regulations. Official Gazette of the Federation

As a general guideline, a nursing uniform should:

• Be clean, dry, and free of damage that affects its use.
• Be sized to allow walking, sitting, raising arms, and bending over.
• Comply with the color and design established by the institution.
• Keep the required name tag or identification system visible.
• Be worn with appropriate footwear for the work area.
• Be changed when wet, significantly soiled, or contaminated.
• Be complemented with the protective equipment indicated for each activity.

Before starting the shift

Correct use begins before attending to the first patient. A quick check of the garment helps detect problems that could cause discomfort, limit movement, or violate area rules.

Wear a clean, dry, and well-maintained garment

The uniform must be completely dry and free of visible dirt at the start of the day. A garment that retains moisture can be uncomfortable, develop odors, and deteriorate more quickly during use.

Before wearing it, it's advisable to check:

• That it has no visible stains or persistent odors.
• That the seams are closed.
• That buttons, zippers, and drawstrings work correctly.
• That the fabric has no perforations or excessively thin areas.
• That the pockets are firm and free of forgotten items.
• That the pants and scrub top match the authorized color.

A clean appearance does not mean the garment is sterile. The daily uniform is workwear and must be complemented with the hygiene and protection measures appropriate for each procedure.

Check sizing and freedom of movement

A garment that is too tight can restrict movement of the shoulders, arms, waist, or legs. It can also shift when bending, sitting, or raising arms.

A uniform that is too loose can get caught on furniture, equipment, or handles. Sleeves, drawstrings, and excess fabric should also not come unnecessarily close to the patient or work surface.

Before starting the shift, it's advisable to perform movements similar to those of the workday:

• Raise arms.
• Bend elbows.
• Sit down and stand up.
• Bend over.
• Walk and turn.
• Reach for objects at different heights.

Elasticity, pocket placement, and cut type can improve daily comfort but do not replace institutional rules or required protective equipment.

To compare daily wear options, you can review JelriSoFit women's medical uniforms and men's medical uniforms, always considering the size, fit, pockets, and workplace rules.

Check color, name tag, and institutional norms

Some hospitals use different colors for nursing, medicine, laboratory, imaging, reception, or other areas. Others allow choosing from several shades, as long as the uniform maintains a professional appearance.

Before buying or wearing a new set, you should confirm:

• If there is a mandatory color.
• If mixing garments from different collections is allowed.
• If the uniform must include an institutional logo.
• Where the name tag should be placed.
• If additional jackets, lab coats, or thermal garments are allowed.
• What type and color of footwear are authorized.

Color can help organize teams but does not replace clear identification. The name and position must remain visible when required by the institution.

During the shift

During the shift, the uniform must remain functional and not interfere with patient care. The priority is not to maintain a perfect appearance for all hours, but to recognize when a garment can no longer be used appropriately.

Change uniform if wet or contaminated

If the garment becomes significantly wet, soiled with blood, bodily fluids, or other potentially infectious materials, follow workplace protocol and change it as soon as possible.

It is not advisable to wait until the end of the shift when:

• Moisture has penetrated the fabric.
• There is visible contamination with blood or fluids.
• The garment has been exposed to a hazardous substance.
• The material ripped during an activity.
• The dirt prevents proper continuation of work.

In perioperative areas, AORN recommends removing clothing penetrated by blood, body fluids, or other potentially infectious materials as soon as possible. Visibly contaminated clothing should remain in the institution, be placed in an appropriate container, and not be rinsed or sorted in the area where it was used. AORN

The specific procedure may differ in hospitalization, consultation, intensive care, operating room, or home care. The facility's policy should always take precedence.

Keep pockets, sleeves, and accessories under control

Pockets are useful for carrying authorized items, but overfilling them can deform the garment, increase weight, and hinder movement.

It is advisable to avoid keeping the following in the uniform:

• Personal items not needed during the shift.
• Open food or products.
• Sharp objects without appropriate protection.
• Clean material together with used items.
• Devices that cannot be cleaned according to area standards.

Sleeves should not come into unnecessary contact with patients, surfaces, or materials. If an institutional jacket is worn, it must also be kept clean and changed when contaminated.

Drawstrings, ties, long necklaces, and dangling accessories can get caught or interfere with certain tasks. Their use must adhere to the area's risk and internal regulations.

Use the appropriate protective equipment for each task

The uniform should not be used as a substitute for personal protective equipment. Each procedure requires assessing the type of contact and the risk of exposure.

Depending on the activity, it may be necessary to use:

• Gloves.
• Isolation gown.
• Surgical gown.
• Mask.
• Respirator.
• Eye protection.
• Face shield.
• Apron or other specialized garment.

Selection should not be based solely on a scrub top being thick, elastic, quick-drying, or splash-repellent. A property of everyday fabric does not demonstrate that the entire garment has the required barrier level against a specific hazard.

At the end of the shift

Handling the uniform at the end of the day depends on whether the garment is simply used, if it has ordinary dirt, or if it was exposed to blood, fluids, or other materials requiring institutional processing.

Remove and store the uniform according to protocol

If the hospital requires staff to change clothes within its facilities, the uniform must be removed in the assigned area and stored or deposited following the internal process.

When the institution allows staff to take uniforms home without visible contamination, it is advisable to transport them in a bag designated for that purpose, separate from clean garments.

A used garment should not be stored wet or left for several days inside a sealed bag. If it can be washed at home, it should be taken to the laundry area and processed according to the label and workplace instructions.

Properly separate contaminated garments

Contaminated clothing should not be shaken, rinsed, or handled more than necessary. Shaking dirty textiles can disperse fibers and particles into the environment.

It must be placed directly into the container or bag indicated by the institution. When wet and there is a risk of leakage, the container must be capable of preventing spills.

The CDC indicates that contaminated textiles can contain microorganisms from blood, skin, feces, urine, vomit, and other fluids. Their handling should minimize agitation and use containment systems defined by the facility. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Avoid taking home clothes that require institutional processing

Garments considered PPE and clothing contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious materials must be handled by the employer or institution in accordance with their procedures.

Conversely, experts do not hold a single stance on home laundering of ordinary uniforms that do not show contamination with blood or fluids. The CDC indicates that healthcare facility policies vary and that home laundering can remove typical dirt from an uncontaminated uniform.

Therefore, the answer is neither “all uniforms must be washed at home” nor “no uniform can leave the hospital.” The decision depends on:

• The institution's policy.
• The area where it was used.
• The tasks performed.
• The presence of visible contamination.
• Whether the garment is considered an ordinary uniform or PPE.

What changes based on the work area

The following guidelines summarize some common differences. They do not replace specific hospital, school, or clinic protocols.

Nursing uniform and protective equipment are not the same

The everyday uniform typically consists of a scrub top and pants. Its function is to offer practical attire, facilitate movement, and help identify staff.

OSHA defines personal protective equipment as specialized clothing or equipment worn to protect employees from a hazard. General work clothing, such as uniforms, pants, shirts, or blouses not designed to provide such protection, is not considered PPE. Occupational Safety and Health Administration

This means that a scrub does not automatically become protective equipment just because it is thick, elastic, quick-drying, or repellent to minor splashes.

When there is a risk of exposure, equipment must be selected according to the task. For example:

• Gloves protect hands during specific activities.
• Isolation gowns offer additional coverage when contact with fluids or contaminated materials is anticipated.
• Eye protection helps when there is a risk of splashes to the eyes.
• Masks and respirators are selected according to the type of exposure.
• Sterile gowns and gloves are used when the procedure and technique require it.

The uniform may remain underneath these items but should not be presented as a replacement for them.

Hair, Nails, Accessories, and Footwear

Personal presentation standards should relate to hygiene, mobility, and safety, not aesthetic expectations for staff.

Hair

Hair should not obstruct vision or come into contact with the patient, equipment, or work area. When its length may interfere with an activity, it should be kept controlled.

In the operating room and other restricted areas, institutional hair covering rules must be followed. AORN recommends covering the scalp and hair upon entering semi-restricted and restricted areas.

Nails

Nails should be kept clean and at a length that does not interfere with hand hygiene or the correct use of gloves.

The CDC recommends that natural nails not extend beyond the fingertip and that staff do not use artificial nails or extensions when in direct contact with high-risk patients, such as those in intensive care or the operating room. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Rules regarding polish, gel, and other products may be stricter in certain institutions. Local policy should be reviewed rather than assuming a single rule applies to all positions.

Accessories

Accessories should not hinder hand hygiene, damage gloves, get caught on equipment, or interfere with care.

It is advisable to limit:

• Bulky rings.
• Bracelets that slide over hands.
• Long necklaces or lanyards.
• Earrings that could get snagged.
• Accessories that produce noise during care.

Footwear

Footwear must comply with area rules and offer stability during shift activities. In many clinical settings, closed-toe shoes that are well-fitting, easy to clean, and have an appropriate sole for the type of flooring are preferred.

In operating rooms, laboratories, or areas with specific risks, additional protective requirements may apply. Footwear should not be chosen solely for its color or how it matches the uniform.

How to Wash and Care for Nursing Uniforms

There is no single temperature, detergent, or washing process valid for all uniforms. The method depends on the fabric, contamination, tasks performed, and facility rules.

Uniforms without Visible Contamination

If the institution allows washing an ordinary garment without visible blood or fluids at home, the label instructions should be followed.

As a general guide:

• Empty all pockets before washing.
• Close zippers, buttons, and snaps if recommended by the label.
• Separate light and dark colors if there is a risk of color transfer.
• Use a detergent compatible with the fabric.
• Do not add bleach or harsh products if not permitted.
• Select the indicated temperature for the garment's composition.
• Completely dry the uniform before storing it.
• Store clean garments in a dry space separate from used clothing.

It is not mandatory to use a detergent labeled as "antibacterial." Nor is it correct to apply 60 °C to all garments, because synthetic fibers, blends, elastic, logos, and finishes may require different temperatures.

The CDC notes that institutional washing cycles combine soil removal, mechanical action, detergents, temperature, and drying. The selection of hot or cold water may depend on local standards and fabric materials.

Contaminated Uniforms

If clothing contains blood, fluids, or other potentially infectious materials, the institutional protocol must be followed. It should not be shaken, sorted, or rinsed at the site of contamination.

The garment should be placed in the designated container, avoiding unnecessary contact with the body and other surfaces. If the contents could leak, a leak-resistant containment system is needed.

When the workplace offers institutional laundering, staff should not replace that process with a home method. This is especially important for garments used as PPE, surgical area clothing, or textiles subjected to specific protocols.

Drying, Ironing, and Storage

Drying should be done according to the label. Too high a temperature can deform synthetic fibers, reduce elasticity, or damage logos and attached elements.

If the garment can be ironed, the temperature indicated for its composition should be used. It is not necessary to iron all uniforms: the objective is to keep them clean, dry, functional, and with an appropriate appearance.

Before storing them, check that they are completely dry. They can be folded or hung depending on the available space and type of fabric, always in a clean place protected from moisture, dust, and used garments.

Conclusion: Correct Use Depends on the Area and Institutional Rules

Wearing a nursing uniform correctly means much more than choosing a color or maintaining a neat appearance. The process begins with a clean, dry, well-maintained, and properly sized garment.

During the workday, the uniform should allow for unobstructed work. If it gets wet, torn, or contaminated with blood or fluids, it must be changed and handled according to the health facility's protocol.

At the end of the shift, contaminated garments must be separated and sent for proper processing. Ordinary uniforms without visible contamination may receive different treatment if the institution allows home laundering.

The uniform also does not replace personal protective equipment. Gloves, gowns, eye protection, masks, and other items must be selected according to the activity and risk.

Rules regarding colors, badges, hair, nails, footwear, and additional garments vary among hospitals, clinics, schools, and care areas. Therefore, the main recommendation is to combine general good practices with strict adherence to workplace rules.

References

• NOM-019-SSA3-2013, For nursing practice in the National Health System — Official Gazette of the Federation
• Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 — Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Laundry and Bedding: Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Clinical Safety: Hand Hygiene for Healthcare Workers — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Surgical Attire in the Operating Room: An AORN Guideline — Association of periOperative Registered Nurses