Student Uniform Information

The USM School of Nursing (SON) uniform and appearance requirements help:

• • Promote safe patient care in clinical settings.

  • Clearly identify students and faculty as members of the USM School of Nursing.

  • Support professional learning and practice by meeting the dress and appearance standards of our clinical partners.

The SON undergraduate nursing uniform is required in undegraduate laboratory settings and most clinical experiences.

Requirements may vary for specific clinical experiences. Faculty will communicate any exceptions or additional expectations. Clinical sites may also have dress and appearance requirements that are more restrictive than SON requirements. Students will be informed of these requirements as applicable to their clinical placement.

Color

• • Scrubs must be solid royal blue or solid white. Patterns are not permitted.

  • Royal blue and white may be mixed—for example, a white scrub top with royal blue scrub pants. Most students choose to wear all royal blue.

  • Be sure to select royal blue, not navy or galaxy blue. See the example images on this page for guidance on the correct color.

Fit & Style

• Students may select the scrub style and fit that works best for them, provided the uniform maintains a professional appearance.

• Scrub skirts may be worn instead of pants. Skirts must:

  • Fall below the knee.

  • Allow adequate range of motion for walking, sitting, bending, and providing patient care.

How Many Sets Do I Need?

• Two sets of scrubs are recommended. Labs and clinical experiences may occur multiple times per week, and uniforms may become soiled during use.

Where to Buy Scrubs

• • Students may purchase scrubs from any retailer as long as they meet the color and uniform requirements. Many students purchase their scrubs online, including through Amazon.

  • Local options include:

    • Allen Uniform Sales — South Portland

    • Walmart — Availability of royal blue scrubs varies by location.

    • Uniform Destination — Kittery

Head Coverings

• • Students who wear a head covering may do so in clinical settings. Head coverings must:

    • Be solid white, black, or royal blue.

    • Be free of decorative elements, such as fringe.

    • Be washable/launderable.

    • Fit closely to the body or be able to be securely tucked into the uniform top.

    • Have no trailing ends that could create a safety hazard in a clinical environment.

    • Examples: Royal Blue Scrub Head Covering | White Scrub Head Covering

Under Layers (Optional)

• A shirt may be worn underneath the scrub top if desired.

  • Must be solid white, blue, or black.

  • Sleeves must be three-quarter length or able to be rolled up securely and remain just below the elbows during patient care.

Outer Layers (Optional)

• Students may wear a fleece vest that meets the following requirements:

  • Solid royal blue, navy, or black.

  • Includes a University of Southern Maine logo or insignia.

  • Must be removed before providing patient care.

  • Approved options are available through the University Store.

• Other outer layers are not permitted. Sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, and other outerwear may not be worn in laboratory or clinical settings.

School of Nursing Emblem Patch

• • The USM School of Nursing emblem patch must be attached to the upper left sleeve (bicep) of the visible outer layer of the uniform, typically the scrub top.

  • Where to buy:

    • USM University Store Online

    • USM University Store in the McGoldrick Student Center, Portland campus

USM Nursing Student Name Badge

• • The USM Nursing Student name badge is required in all Nursing laboratory and clinical settings.

    • • Important: Your USM Nursing Student name badge is different from a hospital-issued badge. You will always wear your USM Nursing Student name badge in labs and clinicals. Whether you also need a hospital-specific badge depends on your clinical placement. Hospital badge requirements vary by clinical site and will be explained when you receive a specific placement.

  • Name Badge Requirements

    • Appearance

      • Color: White badge with black, dark blue, or navy lettering

      • Backing: Magnetic or pin backing, according to student preference

      • Font: Sans-serif (such as Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, or Lato). Script fonts are not permitted.

      • USM logo: Not required

      • Corners: Square or rounded

    • Required text

      • First line: First and last name or initials, as specified below

      • Second line: USM Nursing Student

    • Example:

      • Lily P.
        USM Nursing Student

  • Where to Buy

    • Amazon:  Search for “custom name badge” to find a variety of options, typically around $8–$15 depending on the seller. You may purchase from a seller of your choice as long as the badge meets the requirements above.  Example custom name badge retailer on Amazon

    • USM University Store – School of Nursing:  The University Store can make a badge with the USM logo for approximately $20. We do not always recommend ordering your name badge from the University Store because production and shipping times can be lengthy, and orders may take several weeks or even months to arrive.

Shoes worn in lab and clinical settings must meet the following requirements:

• Color: Shoes must be predominantly white or black. Small accents in other colors are permitted.

  • Example:  Black sneakers with a pink Nike swoosh are ok.  Shoes that are approximately half yellow and half black would not be ok.

• Coverage: Shoes must fully cover and protect the entire foot.

• Enclosed Back: Shoes must have a fully enclosed and secure back. Open-backed shoes and shoes secured only by a heel strap are not permitted.

• Crocs: Crocs or similar shoes with ventilation holes are not permitted.

• Cleaning: Shoes must be made of a material that can be cleaned and sanitized if exposed to contaminants.

• Comfort: Choose shoes that are comfortable and supportive for extended periods of standing and walking

• Personal stethoscopes are not required but you may choose to use your own

• Sanitized stethoscopes are available for lab use and in clinical settings

The USM School of Nursing does not have a policy requiring the covering of tattoos or restrictions on piercings; however, individual clinical facilities may require us to follow their dress code policies.

Faculty and students share responsibility for maintaining a professional, patient-centered environment. We should self-monitor and respectfully provide guidance to one another when needed to help maintain these standards and protect the well-being of our patients.

Scented Products & Odors

• • Because nurses work in close proximity to patients and colleagues, fragrances and strong odors can interfere with patient care and may trigger allergies or sensitivities.

    • Use only unscented body and hair products. Perfume and cologne are not permitted.

    • Be mindful of other strong odors, including body odor, strong food smells, and cigarette smoke.

    • The goal is to maintain a neutral, fragrance-free environment for patients, faculty, and other members of the health care team.

Hair

• Hair must be clean and securely restrained while in laboratory and clinical settings.

• Hair should be secured in a way that keeps it out of the face and prevents it from interfering with patient care.

Nails

• • Nails must be kept natural, short, and clean.

  • Nail polish, gel, shellac, and artificial nails are not permitted.