Student Uniform Information

Fit and Laundering

• Uniforms will fit appropriately to ensure safe patient care and a professional appearance. 

• It is important that all clothing worn in the clinical setting is washable and laundered regularly.
  
  

Eye Protection Requirement

• Students in clinical must purchase personal eye protection in the form of a face shield or safety glasses. Several of our hospitals will require students to wear this during clinical rotations and will not provide it for them. 

• We cannot be certain that every student will need this for their clinical; it will depend on which hospital a student is assigned to. However, it is best to have this on hand in case it is needed, as sometimes these items take longer to source due to COVID-19.

• Eyeglasses are not sufficient to meet this requirement.
  
  

Scrubs 

• Scrubs must be solid white or solid royal blue tops, pants, or skirts.  Students can wear a combination of these.  For example, a solid white top with royal blue pants.

• Example of Royal Blue Scrubs

• Head coverings, if worn, should be of a similar color and material to the scrubs. 

• The brand, style, or fit of the scrubs may vary among students, as long as they cover the necessary areas and provide a professional appearance.

• At least 2 sets of scrubs are needed, but you may want more. In any given semester, students will attend a lab and/or clinical session at least twice a week in scrubs, and these scrubs may become soiled, especially during clinical sessions.

• Scrubs may be purchased at any store or online as long as they meet the above requirements.  
  
  

School of Nursing Emblem Patch

• The University of Southern Maine School of Nursing emblem patch must be worn on the left sleeve of the visible outer layer of the uniform in all clinical settings.

• The emblem patch can be purchased at the USM University Store here.

Name Badges

• Name badges must be worn in all laboratory and clinical settings.

• Name badges must be white with black, dark blue, or navy print and read as follows:   

• First line = Student First & Last Name

• Second Line = USM Nursing Student.

• Badges are available for purchase at uniform shops, office supply stores, and online, including for example Amazon.  You can also purchase a badge from the University Store here.

Shoes

• Footwear must be at least 75% white or black.

• Shoes must protect and cover the full foot and be secure.

• Sneakers are permissible as long as they meet the above requirements.

• Make sure you break in your shoes and they are comfortable before classes start.  Many labs are 4 hours long, and most clinicals are 8 hours, during which you will be on your feet for most of the time.

Stethoscope

• Personal stethoscopes are not required (you may use your own if desired, but we have sanitized ones for lab use).

• Students can purchase any basic type of stethoscope that is comfortable to them from any retailer.

Optional Layers

• Fleece Vest 

  • • If a student chooses to wear a fleece vest over their scrubs, the color must be royal blue, navy blue, or black in color.

    • The vest must include the University of Southern Maine insignia/logo. It is available from the university store, or you could attach a USM Nursing patch to a vest.  Purchase a vest here 

    • The vest must be removed before providing patient care.

Under Layers 

• For extra warmth or comfort, a layer may be worn under the scrub top, which is available in matching solid blue, white, or black colors.

• Sleeves must be three-quarter length or able to be folded up to just below the elbows for patient care.

Tattoos & Piercings

• 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.