Course Catalog

Student Handbook

Student Clinical Uniform Code

Saint Anthony College of Nursing has established a dress code for the purpose of promoting a professional image in the clinical area and for the safety of the student.  The criteria communicated in the Student Handbook and are to be follwed.  Faculty may enforce additional guidelines if a cooperating agency so requests.

Although dress codes may vary from site to site, students are expected to dress professionally, regardless of how employees at those sites may dress.  Faculty may send a student home from class or clincial if that student is dressed inappropriately for the experience they are attending.

1. Wrinkle-free, clean, properly fitting white uniforms are required of all students on the clinical unit. Yellowing and/or graying uniforms or lab coats are not acceptable. Only white turtlenecks may be worn under white uniforms.
2. The OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center ID badge must be visible.
3. The College identification patch must be sewn on the left sleeve, centered two (2) inches below the shoulder seam on uniform tops and lab coats. These may be purchased from the Student Affairs staff.
4. Either dress or pant uniforms are acceptable. No jumpsuits, overalls, sweat suits, stretch pants, or jean pants are allowed. Necklines should be modest and professional.
A. Dress uniforms must be at least knee length and no knee socks may be worn.
B. The pant uniform is to be white trousers and white top.
C. Pant legs to instep of foot. Pant legs may not be rolled.
D. White or neutral hose, knee-high nylons, or plain white socks may be worn with the pant uniform.
5. Clean white or neutral hose and all-white professional shoes are required (no clogs).
6. Solid neutral undergarments are required. Undergarments should not be visible through or outside of the uniform.
7. Clean, wrinkle-free laboratory coats may be worn with the uniform to the clinical unit or at specified times.
8. IOdors should not be excessive.  No overpowering odors (fragrances, body odor, tobacco or other smoke, etc.) shall be noticeable from a student during clinical hours.
9. Hair must be clean, neat, above and off the collar, and away from the face. Hair accessories must be in moderation.
10. Jewelry:
A. Plain wedding bands and simple watches only.
B. No visible or reachable necklaces
C. No bracelets
D. No body jewelry
E. No more than one pair of post earrings may be worn. Earrings should be small and non-dangling.
11. Make-up in moderation. No perfume/cologne. Other scents should be avoided.
12. Fingernails:
A. Clean and short in length
B. Clear, non-cracked polish only.
C. Natural fingernails only, no artificial fingernails, acrylic overlays, or other nail coverings.
13. Gum chewing prohibited during any clinical experiences.
14. All tattoos/body art must be covered.

Lab Coat (white)
1. Lab coat must be worn to obtain patient assignments and if lab coat is not worn, the uniform is required.
2. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center ID badge and College emblem must be visible.
3. No shorts or midriff blouses may be worn with the lab coat.
4. Slacks may be worn under the lab coat, but no denim is allowed.

Uniform for Pediatrics
1. Plain colored skirt or slacks.
2. Colored top - preferably with collar and pocket.
3. Scrub tops are allowed.
4. No T-shirt type tops allowed.
5. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center ID badge must be visible.
6. No more than one pair of post earrings may be worn.  Earrings should be small and non-dangling.
7. Necklines should be modest and professional.
8. Hair clean, neat, above and off the collar, and away from the face.  Hair accessories must be in moderation.

Uniform for Community Health
1. Navy blue skirt or slacks (no denim).  No carpenter pants.
2. White blouse or shirt with lab coat with College emblem patch on the sleeve.
3. Shoes must be enclosed (no sandals or heels).
4. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center ID badge must be visible.
5. No more than one pair of post earrings may be worn.  Earrings should be small and non-dangling.
6. Necklines should be modest and professional.
7. Hair clean, neat, above and off the collar, and away from the face.  Hair accessories must be in moderation.

Uniform for Psychiatric Settings
1. Dress is professional/casual.
2. No denim, shorts, skorts, miniskirts, stretch pants, carpenter pants, or tights.
3. Shoes must be comfortable. No sandals, open toed shoes, or spiked heels.
4. No midriff blouses, camisole tops, tank tops, halter tops, or sleeveless shirts.
5. OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center ID badges must be visible and the last name may be covered.
6. Plain jewelry may be worn. No more than one pair of post earrings may be worn.  Earrings should be small and non-dangling.
7. Necklines should be modest and professional.
8. Hair clean, neat, above and off the collar, and away from the face.  Hair accessories must be in moderation.

DRESS CODE FOR CLASSROOM, LIBRARY AND HOSPITAL AREAS
Short shorts*, miniskirts, midriff, halter tops, tank tops, sleeveless shirts or visible undershirts are not permitted. Shoes are required at all times. Carpenter's pants, painter's pants and farmer's overalls are not permitted. All apparel must be neat, clean, unpatched, and untorn. Blouses/shirts must be worn in the classroom.

* Shorts of modest length and jeans may be worn to the classroom , but no where else on the medical center campus. Violations of the dress code will be subject to faculty action.

DRESS CODE FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Appropriate corporate attire must be worn for Commencement and Baccalaureate Mass/Pinning:

Females - dress or suit
Males - suit or shirt, pants and tie

Hair must be neat and off the face. Earrings are limited to simple studs. NO clunky or noisy bracelets are allowed. Rings are limited to two (2) and fingernails must be short and clean. Appropriate hose and dress shoes with moderate heels are required (no boots, platforms, or open toes).

Special Consideration for Commencement:
Academic dress ordered through the College will be worn. Cap is to be worn squarely on head, no tilted to back or side. No item may be pinned, taped or otherwise attached to the cap or gown. Nothing may be written on academic dress. Attire under gown and shoes is to be dark. Hose is to be neutral or dark.

TRANSPORTATION
Students are responsible for providing their own transportation to the College of Nursing, clinical agencies, observational experiences, and field trips.

INCLEMENT WEATHER CLASS AND/OR CLINICAL CANCELLATION
The College reserves the right to cancel classes and/or clinical in the case of severe weather. This will be communicated by local radio stations. Safety remains the individual student’s responsibility should hazardous driving conditions prohibit attendance at class and/or clinical. Classes and/or clinical experiences may be rescheduled at the discretion of the faculty and/or administration.

The following broadcasters will be notified of cancellations:
WROK - 1440 AM WZOK - 97.5 FM WREX CHANNEL 13
WXRX - 104.9 FM WXXQ - 98.5 FM WTVO CHANNEL 17
WYHY - 95.3 FM WNTA - 1330 AM WIFR CHANNEL 23

CLINICAL AREA INCIDENTS
Incidents in the area of clinical practice are to be reported immediately according to established procedure. Investigation and follow-up action will be taken by the hospital/cooperating agency and the College of Nursing.

An incident can be defined as any happening that occurs in or around the hospital/cooperating agencies or any of their facilities and properties that is not consistent with the normal or usual operation of the hospital or its departments. It may involve patients or visitors. Injury or the potential for injury and/or property damage is sufficient for an occurrence to be considered an incident.

Procedure:
1. The student immediately reports the incident to the instructor who will investigate the situation.
2. The student notifies the nurse in charge of the clinical area and/or the nurse providing care to the patient.
3. The student and instructor are to review the agency policy and procedure to ascertain that appropriate policy and procedure are followed.
4. An incident report is completed by the student according to policy.
5. A copy of the incident report is submitted to the Dean.
6. A second incident requires a conference with the Dean if deemed necessary by the instructor involved.


INFECTIOUS DISEASE AND EXPOSURE
Saint Anthony College of Nursing permits students to care for patients with an infectious disease only after reviewing content in this area and while under the clinical supervision of faculty.
Students and faculty are expected to follow agency policy and procedure while caring for patients with infectious disease and follow standard precautions with all patients.

Students experiencing a significant exposure to blood/body fluids are to notify the instructor and Occupational Health Nurse immediately. The Occupational Health Nurse and instructor are to monitor that appropriate policies and procedures are followed.

SICK LEAVE POLICY
In the event of illness/injury preventing the student from attending class and/or clinical, Saint Anthony College of Nursing requires students to notify the College.

After three (3) consecutive days of absence, the student, prior to returning to class and clinical is required to provide a physician’s verification that the student is fit to return to class and clinical. If the student has restrictions which may limit their participation in class or clinical, the student is to be seen by the Occupational Health Nurse. Reasonable accommodation in accordance with College policy will be made when possible.

HEALTH CONDITION NOTIFICATION
It is the student’s responsibility to notify the college of any health condition that may jeopardize their own or another person’s health. If the student has restrictions which may limit their participation in class or clinical, the student is to be seen by the Occupational Health Nurse. Reasonable accommodation in accordance with College policy will be made when possible.

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
College administration and faculty realize the necessity for many students to be employed while attending college; however, it is recommended that students need to be cognizant of the demands and expectations of the nursing program. A student who seeks employment while enrolled as a nursing student assumes the responsibility of maintaining a balance between employment and meeting the objectives of the College program.