By Ame Phitwong
Piercings, tattoos and wild hair colors have become more acceptable in society, unlike 40 years ago, when such accessories were considered taboo. Even though these personal appearances choices have become mainstream, the University maintains strict rules in certain departments when UP students are sent out into the professional world.
Dean Joanne Warner of the nursing school said nursing is a profession based on important knowledge, skills and abilities. Along with those factors, she explained that the nursing school's standards of appearance are comparable to today's workplace and that the school is preparing graduates for success in the workplace.
The nursing guidelines regarding appearances requires students to wear no perfumes, keep their hair natural colors and groomed, keep beards shorter than two inches and keep nails short and clean with artificial nails prohibited in clinical settings. Also, jewelry is limited to a watch, a plain wedding band and one set of earrings.
"Appropriate appearance and behaviors communicate that we respect our patients, and we deserve their respect and trust. Appearance is part of our nonverbal professional communication," Warner said.
Senior nursing major Christina Kenny said she understands the reasons for these codes and how they promote professionalism, but feels sometimes they are unrealistic compared to the actual workplace. Kenny has a nose piercing she must remove before lab simulations and clinicals.
"When I'm in a clinical and see staff nurses with eight piercings, dangling earrings and exposed tattoos, it is frustrating to be reprimanded as a student for having a nose stud," she said.
Warner contends that the standards reduce the attention a nurse puts on herself and that distraction would inhibit nurses from focusing on the patient, family and community.
"The safety of the nurse is also a concern, as in the case of piercings or jewelry that could be grabbed or pulled," Warner said.
According to Warner, the nursing faculty designed the standards and unanimously supports and enforces them.
In the School of Education, Dean Maria Ciriello explained that appearance is very important in the realm of education. The school requires students to dress professionally in the work setting; students must wear dress slacks, collared shirts or blouses, cover their entire body and avoid wearing athletic shoes, T-shirts, jeans, shorts and flip-flops.
Ciriello said the education school is not strict in enforcing these rules, but does advise students that teaching is a relatively conservative profession where parents want their children to see instructors as a role model.
"We understand it is a big responsibility and we're pleased with the way the students have represented themselves," Ciriello said. She explained there are no punitive measures when the guidelines are broken and that violations rarely occur.
According to Warner, nursing students who disregard the standards are asked to leave their clinical site and must handle the consequences and costs of making up that learning experience.
The nursing school maintains a set of professional behavior guidelines students must obey. Warner said it is a way to assure that students are learning and living the affective and behavioral aspects of the highest professional standards.
In order to comply with the nursing school's restriction on piercings, senior Julie Flindt removed her "Monroe" piercing, a stud that is located on the face between the top lip and the nose but to the side, a location similar to Marilyn Monroe's mole.
"When I first started out in school, I found (the guidelines) obnoxious. I understand why they have these standards and it does make it more professional, but I felt they wanted to present a certain prototype of students to the hospitals," Flindt said.
She explained she has mixed feelings about the guidelines, but questions why the school adheres to a standard that is not reflective of the modern day. Flindt said she has encountered many nurses in the hospitals who don't follow the nursing school's professional guidelines.
To comply with the rules, Flindt removed her piercing during clinicals and replaced it with a clear plastic stud so the piercing wouldn't close up.
One night after clinical, Flindt tried to removed the stud but found her skin had become attached to the plastic. She immediately had to go to the emergency room to have it removed.
"I had to lose a facial piercing and spent at least $100 on that and another $500 for medical costs because of the school," Flindt said.
Flindt said she understands that older clients could have issues with tattoos and piercings, but believes it's time for UP to adjust the guidelines because there is a gap between current trends and tradition. She explained that more and more people have piercings and tattoos, but that it doesn't make a nurse better or worse.
"It's not just a tattoo or a piercing; it's an identity factor," she said. "(The guidelines) make us feel like we have to hide who we really are."
