The image you project as a nursing student, and then as a nurse, contributes to the overall public image of nursing. Besides wearing the required uniform components, their cleanliness and neatness contribute to your image. Underwear should not be visible beneath a uniform, buttons should not be missing, pocket corners should not be torn loose, shoes and shoelaces should be clean. Personal grooming of hair, beard, nails, and skin integrates with attire to project the visual image. The professionally groomed image includes keeping skin clean, wearing an effective, unscented deodorant, and keeping the nails clean and trimmed.
Long nails make patients uneasy, and clinical facilities prohibit artificial nails.
For men, the face should be clean shaven or the beard neatly trimmed. For women, wearing minimal, low- key makeup that projects a business look and not working with chipped nailpolish is important. Hair for both sexes should be secured so that it does not swing over the patient while performing care. Hair contains bacteria that can fall onto the patient. Other types of rings and bracelets may injure the patient s skin while the nurse is giving direct care, and there also is the change of losing a stone or breaking a bracelet if it catches on something.