Clinical Dress Code
All students will wear the RN Transition Program designated uniform, including school patch and photo identification badge in all clinical settings, including simulation lab, unless otherwise specified by the clinical instructor. Students who fail to adhere to the dress code may be dismissed from class/clinical, resulting in a clinical absence.
CLINICAL UNIFORM POLICY
· All students will wear the official uniform of the RN Transition Program. The jacket is part of the official uniform.
· White lab coats, black shirt and pants are the designated uniform and purchased the designated supplier.
· Student photo ID badges are required in all clinical settings. The photo identification badges include the school name, student first name and last name initial, the program name (RN Nursing Student), and student title (Associate Degree Student Nurse).
· Designated Nursing Program patch must be worn on the left sleeve of the lab coat, neatly sewn three inches below the shoulder seam. Velcro ®, Super Glue ® or safety pins are not acceptable.
· No lanyards may be worn.
· All students are to bathe and use deodorant prior to coming to clinical each day. Do not wear scented powders or perfume.
· All students are to wear clean, newly laundered, wrinkle-free uniforms to clinical each day. If a student has only one uniform, it is mandatory that he/she wash it each day. To safeguard the community and prevent the spread of microorganisms, students should change/wash uniforms as soon as possible after the clinical day.
· Standard and functional all WHITE leather shoes must be worn for clinical. No canvas shoes, or backless shoes are permitted.
· White hose or white socks are to be worn. White or nude panty hose must be worn with skirts/dresses.
· Black under shirts may be worn under the uniform.
· Fingernails are to be clean, without polish, and no longer than the fingertip. No artificial nails or fingernail jewelry/rhinestones are allowed. A student who arrives at a clinical site in violation will be sent home with an absence recorded.
· Hair is to be worn off the collar (for males and females). This means NO HAIR CAN TOUCH THE COLLAR OF THE SHIRT. Items used to keep the hair off the collar should not be made from ribbon. Hair should be of a natural color and head bands should be close to hair color. Hair should be clean and neat as deemed by clinical instructor.
· Sideburns, mustaches, and beards are acceptable on campus but may be inappropriate in certain clinical facilities. Students are to meet the standard of the facility.
· A watch with a second hand and plain band in a neutral color (no jewels or stone).
· No rings may be worn with the exception on a plain wedding band with no stones or ridges. Silicone wedding bands must be neutral in color.
· No earrings are to be worn.
· Migraine piercings, tongue rings or other body piercings cannot be worn to clinical. No spacers or gauges are to be worn.
· No necklaces of any kind may be worn. No additional pins are allowed on uniform (i.e. angels, nurses, etc.)
· No bracelets are allowed.
· Tattoos are to be covered if they are deemed vulgar, inappropriate, or offensive and as per clinical affiliation agreements and must wear a long sleeve black shirt under their uniform top.
· Cosmetics must be used moderately and attractively applied. False eyelashes or lash extensions are not permitted. Perfume or scented lotions are not allowed. At no time while in uniform should you smell like cigarette smoke.
· ABSOLUTELY NO GUM CHEWING ALLOWED.
The following accessories are required for clinical:Bandage scissors
· Black pen
· Black permanent marker
· Pencil
· Stethoscope
· Pen light
· Pocket mask for CPR
· Sphygmomanometer
· Goggles
· Notepad
The student may be required to provide additional PPE according to the healthcare facility’s policy.
At different times during the year, students are required to go to various activities that require professional attire. Students are usually asked to wear “nice clothes” with their nametags and lab coats. Unacceptable clothes would be T-shirts, tank tops, halter tops, short skirts or dresses, blue jeans and denim material of any kind, sleeveless shirts, and/or revealing clothing. If professional attire is unavailable, the student is required to wear his/her uniform. Students who arrive inappropriately dressed may be sent home and counted absent. Uniforms may not be worn after clinical to go to the store, restaurant, etc. (Infection control, professionalism).
Students are to adhere to the uniform policy. Faculty has the right to send a student home who comes to clinical without complying, resulting in a clinical absence.
Hospital attire for non-patient care activities: When students enter the hospital for activities other than patient care, neat street attire under a buttoned lab coat is acceptable. (Shorts, jeans, thongs, and short skirts are not considered professional attire.) LSCO Student Nurse photo ID is required when in the clinical agency setting.
Attire for clinical experiences allowing street clothes: Students practicing in such areas will wear designated attire per instructor and lab coat with LSCO name tag. No T-shirts, athletic wear, lounge wear, jeans, or shorts are allowed. Certain facilities may have additional restrictions. Students will be notified of specific requirements before the event / rotation.
CLINICAL BEHAVIORS
· Clinical experiences may be composed of hospital rotations, simulation labs, community health facilities, service-learning activities, conferences, seminars, and presentations.
· To meet the clinical objectives and to maintain the maximum experience from the clinical rotations provided, students are expected to arrive promptly in an approved LSCO nursing uniform, be prepared, and participate in clinical until dismissed. During each clinical, students will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the pathophysiology of common diseases, laboratory and diagnostic tests and results, medications, assessment expectations, and nursing interventions and rationales. All findings must reflect evidence-based practice.
· At no time are students allowed to administer IV chemotherapy, blood or blood products, witness legal documents in the clinical setting such as surgical permits or advance directives, remove central or arterial lines, take verbal / phone orders or perform skills outside the nursing student role.
· If students do not follow the above guidelines, a counseling note will be written, and the student will be sent home from clinical resulting in a clinical absence for that clinical day and progressive disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the program as determined by the Standards Committee.
· In the event of an absence, students are expected to notify faculty before the beginning of the clinical day. Clinical days can be missed only due to verifiable illnesses or emergencies.
· Students must be able to meet the “minimum abilities” per program requirements. There are no provisions for “light duty” assignments. Students who are under the provisions of a healthcare provider’s care are required to submit documentation from their physician monthly stating that they have no restrictions and can perform clinical assignments.
· Alternate assignments will be given for missed clinical days (a maximum of two (2) days allowed). Failure to notify the faculty will be considered a “no-call/no-show” and will result in immediate review by the Standards Committee.
· Students must adhere to unit guidelines for all breaks and lunch. During hospital rotations, students must remain on the premises and adhere to a thirty-minute time allotment for lunch. Instructors must be notified of any exceptions to the above. Failure to notify may result in dismissal from the program.
· Students who arrive more than 20 minutes late to clinical will be counseled and counted absent. Students who arrive at clinical no later than 20 minutes will receive a tardy occurrence. Three (3) or more tardy occurrences will result in a clinical absence.
· If a student is sent home from clinical by the faculty for any reason, the student will be counted as absent from clinical and an alternate assignment given.
· Students who leave clinical before dismissal will be counted as absent for the clinical day and receive an alternate assignment.
· If the alternate assignment is not completed by the due date given, a counseling note will be written. Failure to meet the plan specified in the counseling note will result in a review by the Standards Committee for continued progress in, or dismissal from, the program.
· Simulation lab is considered a clinical experience, and all clinical absence rules apply.
· The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) requires documentation regarding minimum class and clinical hours for graduation. Should a student be unable to maintain these expectations or stated program requirements, dismissal from the program may occur.
Clinical Behaviors / Sim Lab
· All clinical/simulation patient information is confidential, and any inappropriate viewing, discussion, or disclosure of this information is considered a violation of clinical policy and may be a violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other state and federal laws.
· There will be required graded assignments before and during SIM lab and clinical days. These graded activities are included in the student’s clinical evaluation and may result in a failing grade if not completed.
· This information is privileged and confidential regardless of the format (electronic, written, overheard, or observed).
· Students may only view, use, disclose, or copy information as needed for the clinical/simulation experience.
· All scenarios, regardless of their outcome, should be treated professionally.
· Situations simulated in the lab are to be used as a learning tool and not to be used to criticize fellow students.
· The simulation mannequins are to be used with respect and treated as if they were a live patient.
· No betadine, ink pens, or sharp objects are to be near the simulation mannequins at any time.
· If students do not follow the above guidelines, a counseling note will be written, and the student may be sent home from the simulation lab resulting in an unexcused absence for that clinical day.
Clinical Site Assignments
Due to the availability of clinical sites, students will be assigned to a clinical group, not a specific site. Consideration for assignment to a specific clinical site must be for profound reasons. Carpooling is not an option for consideration as a profound reason. Evening hours may be required to complete clinical requirements.
Much of this course requires access to, familiarity with, and use of a computer and the Internet. The student should have a general understanding of basic software such as Microsoft Word, the Internet, a readily available Internet access device, and good working knowledge of web browsers such as Firefox and Google Chrome. If students do not have these items at home, LSCO has computer and internet access at a variety of locations.
Students should be able to provide care for two or more patients by the end of Level I. Students should be able to provide care for five patients by the end of Level III.
Students must realize that they may be exposed to infectious diseases during clinical experiences. Infectious diseases include the viruses such as the common cold, influenza, and Covid-19, hepatitis, tuberculosis, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other communicable diseases. Following standard precautions at all times when providing care to patients will greatly reduce the risk of contracting an infectious disease. Students cannot refuse to take care of any patient due to the patient’s diagnosis.