ANSAP DRESS CODES FOR NURSES

The nurse representation of her profession is also seen in the type of clothes she or he
wears at work. For centuries, the profession of nursing has been known as a noble
profession. When people think of nurses they see in their mind a person in white
administering to the sick, well mannered, and a respectable in appearance.

It is an ethical obligation of nurses to be in proper attire that benefits their profession

when they go to work. That proper decorum that nurses is expected to observe not only
pertains to their behavior and manners but as well as to their appearance and clothing as
ANSAP has stated in its guidelines for nurse’s uniform. A proper uniform commands
respect for professional nurses. The nurses working clothes or uniform need not be stylish
and expensive. What is important is that the clothes are appropriate for work, decent
cut/style (such as properly fitted-not too tight or revealing), clean and comfortable. Every
institution may prescribe a style of uniform for their nursing employees. But for purposes
of uniformity, the following guidelines have been provided by the Association of Nursing
Service Administrators of the Philippines Inc. (ANSAP) for nurse uniform:

1. Dress Material: Uniforms shall be made of white non-sheen, non-transparent material

Without any design
2. Uniform: Style depending upon the policy of the institution uniforms. May be a
white dress, blouse & skirt, or blouse & pants. The uniform, especially
the collars, must not have ruffles, frills, or laces

a. Length: The hemline of the shirts shall reach the second hip line. The shirt of male
nurses shall also reach the second hip line
b. Fit: The uniform, especially the skirts and pants shall not be tight but fit enough to
facilitate body movements. Skirts should be A-line.
c. Sleeves: Female nurse’s uniform may be either short or long sleeved depending
upon the weather conditions where the institution
d. Gala uniform: The institution may prescribe a style for foamal affairs which is
adopted as gala uniform. For female nurses, the shoes should not
be more two inches high
e. Caps: Should be made of well starched and iron cloth.
f. Shoes, Stockings and/or Socks: Uniform shoes must be closed and law heeled.
While most uniform shoes have wedged soles, it is advisable that shoes with heels
should not be more then an inch high to prevent accidents and injuries. Male nurse’s
should be made of soft leather. Rubber shoes are not allowed.

Shoes shall always be clean and well polished. Stockings are either colored or white.
Socks for male nurses should be white. When the female nurses wear blouse and
pants, their socks should be white.

g. Uniform in Special Areas: Nurses in special areas (Operating Room, Recovery

Room, Deliver Room, Nursery, Intensive Care Unit) use special kind of uniforms
When they are on duty inside these units. Depending upon the policy of the
 Institution, they either change in standard uniform or use smock gowns whenever
They go out of the special nursing areas.
h. Psychiatric or Pediatric Nurses Uniform: Nurses in these special units may use
colored uniforms according to the policy of the nursing service/hospital.
i. Hair Style: Nurses should adopt a hairstyle that is both becoming and convenient
to manage. Long hair should be put up in a neat netted bun. The hair
should not touch the collar line. Should female nurses decide to have
bangs, these should reach above the eyebrows. The use of colored
ribbons and hair bands is not allowed. Black hair clips may be used.
j. Fingernails: Fingernails are cut short. Colorless or pastel colored nail polish is
allowed for female nurses. Long fingernails may cause injury to
patient’s and are hiding places of microorganisms.
k. Jewelry: Aside from the standard wrist watch with second hand, nurses may wear
school rings. Married nurses may wear their wedding bands. Small ear
studs may be worn by female nurses whose ears are pierced. Earrings are
not allowed. Male nurses are not allowed to wear earrings or ear stud.
l. Identificaion Tags: Together with the uniform nurses are required to wear
identification pins or name plate while on duty. These are
attached to the left pocket and displayed conspicuously at all
times for proper identification.