Culturally Inclusive Dress Codes Within Nursing
Major
Nursing, BSN
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Nursing
Faculty Advisor
Amanda Hopkins
Expected Graduation Date
2026
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-12-2025 8:30 AM
End Date
4-12-2025 9:30 AM
Abstract
The healthcare field is experiencing a chronic, global shortage of nurses. Shortages have contributed to nurses becoming burnt out and frustrated, for a number of reasons, and they are choosing to leave the nursing profession which further compounds the shortage. Nursing in general is not culturally or religiously diverse and is primarily comprised of White females over the age of 40. As those nurses retire, replacements are essential to patient care. Recruiting a diverse nursing population is one method to relieve the shortage. The added lack of cultural inclusivity in dress codes may deter persons from diverse backgrounds from entering the profession. While nurses have a duty to appear professional, many hospitals’ dress code policies include restrictions on tattoos/body art, hair styles, piercings, clothing, etc. It is clear that nurses' attire must take into consideration things such as safety and infection control. However, the profession needs to ensure dress code decisions are primarily based on evidence rather than personal values. Nurses who feel they cannot dress in a professional, yet ethnically or religiously authentic way, may experience decreased productivity, that could lead to poor patient outcomes, and eventually burnout, and the choice to leave their job. We are conducting a review of the literature surrounding the topic of culturally inclusive dress codes in nursing. The aim of this review is to examine the evidence on stigma around types of nursing attire that are based on current hospital policies and best practices. Using the PRISMA technique for conducting literature reviews will guide answers to why the review was done, what authors did, and what they found, and is a requirement for publications in nursing journals. Our review is currently in process.
Culturally Inclusive Dress Codes Within Nursing
CNS Atrium
The healthcare field is experiencing a chronic, global shortage of nurses. Shortages have contributed to nurses becoming burnt out and frustrated, for a number of reasons, and they are choosing to leave the nursing profession which further compounds the shortage. Nursing in general is not culturally or religiously diverse and is primarily comprised of White females over the age of 40. As those nurses retire, replacements are essential to patient care. Recruiting a diverse nursing population is one method to relieve the shortage. The added lack of cultural inclusivity in dress codes may deter persons from diverse backgrounds from entering the profession. While nurses have a duty to appear professional, many hospitals’ dress code policies include restrictions on tattoos/body art, hair styles, piercings, clothing, etc. It is clear that nurses' attire must take into consideration things such as safety and infection control. However, the profession needs to ensure dress code decisions are primarily based on evidence rather than personal values. Nurses who feel they cannot dress in a professional, yet ethnically or religiously authentic way, may experience decreased productivity, that could lead to poor patient outcomes, and eventually burnout, and the choice to leave their job. We are conducting a review of the literature surrounding the topic of culturally inclusive dress codes in nursing. The aim of this review is to examine the evidence on stigma around types of nursing attire that are based on current hospital policies and best practices. Using the PRISMA technique for conducting literature reviews will guide answers to why the review was done, what authors did, and what they found, and is a requirement for publications in nursing journals. Our review is currently in process.