Dress Code

Students are representatives of our university and must maintain a professional appearance that reflects respect and meets professional standards. For all didactic, simulated (i.e., those involving standardized patients), and real clinical learning activities, students must follow the dress code established by the student body as outlined below:

Classrooms Dress Code

• Students must wear their PHSU ID badge at all times, visibly displayed above the waist, identifying them as PHSU students.
• All clothing must be neat and clean. Unacceptable attire or accessories may be offensive. Examples include sheer garments, tank tops, short shorts, short skirts, low or deep necklines, garments intended as undergarments, and items such as leggings or spandex pants designed for athletic use.
• The following attire is also unacceptable: soiled, torn, or frayed garments; clothing with words or images unrelated to a professional environment; or items containing discriminatory or offensive language or imagery
• Headgear, unless required for religious reasons, and headphones are not permitted.
• Good personal hygiene is expected. Body odor or the smell of smoke should not be detectable.
• Jeans, shoes (including athletic shoes), and clean shirts (including T-shirts) are acceptable. Bermuda shorts or other types of shorts are also permitted in classroom settings, provided they are no shorter than 5 cm above the knee.

Labs Dress Code (Inside Campus)

• Students must wear their PHSU ID badge at all times, visibly displayed above the waist, identifying them as PHSU students.
• All clothing must be neat and clean. Unacceptable attire or accessories may be offensive. Examples include sheer garments, tank tops, shorts, short skirts, low or deep necklines, garments intended as undergarments, and clothing such as leggings or spandex pants designed for athletic wear.
• The following attire is also unacceptable: soiled, torn, or frayed garments; apparel with words or images unrelated to a professional environment; and clothing displaying discriminatory or offensive content.
• Headgear, except when required for religious reasons, and headphones are not permitted.
• Good personal hygiene is expected. The body odor or the smell of smoke must not be detectable.
• Jeans, shoes (including athletic shoes), and clean shirts (including T-shirts) are permissible. Bermuda shorts or other types of shorts are also allowed in classroom settings, but they must be no shorter than 5 cm above the knee.
• Guidelines regarding artificial nail enhancements and nail polish may be determined by the laboratory site. Chipped nail polish is unacceptable due to the increased risk of microorganism
• transmission. Natural nails should be kept short (i.e., not extending past the fingertip) and are strongly encouraged.
• Hair and facial hair must be clean, dry, and managed so as not to interfere with laboratory practice or patient interaction. For example, students with long hair are encouraged to tie it back to prevent it from falling onto or brushing against patients during lab sessions.

Clinical/Practicum/Standardized Patient Sites Dress Code

• Students must wear their PHSU ID badge at all times, visibly displayed above the waist, identifying them as PHSU students.
• White coats must be worn, and the PHSU ID must remain visible during all clinical and patient-related activities.
• All clothing must be neat and clean. Unacceptable attire or accessories may be considered offensive by patients or standardized patients. Examples of unacceptable attire include sheer garments, tank tops, short skirts, low or deep necklines, garments intended as undergarments, and athletic wear such as leggings or spandex pants.
• The following are also unacceptable: soiled, torn, or frayed garments; apparel displaying words or images unrelated to the professional setting; and clothing with discriminatory or offensive content.
• Shoes must be safe, clean, closed-toe, and appropriate for the clinical environment. Open-toe shoes are not allowed, as they pose a safety risk from sharps or spilled substances.
• Sandals and bare feet are not permitted at clinical sites.
• Jewelry and fragrances should be used in moderation during patient encounters.
• Headgear, except when required for religious reasons, and headphones are not allowed.
• Good personal hygiene is required. The body odor or the smell of smoke must not be noticeable.
• Guidelines on artificial nail enhancements and nail polish may vary depending on the clinical site, surgical setting, or standardized patient environment. Chipped nail polish is unacceptable, as it increases the risk of transmitting microorganisms. Natural nails should be kept short (i.e., not extending past the fingertip) and are strongly recommended.
• Hair and facial hair must be clean, dry, and controlled to avoid interference with patient care. For example, students with long hair should tie it back to prevent it from falling on or brushing against patients during physical exams.

Note: You may encounter variations in customs and expectations across clinical sites. Observe the attire of other professionals and consult your supervisor or clinical coordinator if you are uncertain about what is appropriate.

Students must comply with both the PHSU Dress Code and the specific dress codes of practicum or clinical sites.

Students who participate in multiple settings (classroom, lab, and clinical) on the same day must adhere to the dress code of the most formal or restrictive setting to avoid violations.