The college you attend is more than a place you go to learn; it’s where you develop an identity and a sense of pride. This is precisely why so many nursing schools have established uniform guidelines for their students. The uniform policy is a constant reminder that you represent them, and they, in turn, represent you.
Shopping for nursing scrubs as a student can be difficult, as you try to conform to the dress codes set by your college and place of internship. We’re here to help make your uniform shopping easier.
Compiled below is a collection of some of the most prestigious nursing programs in the United States, along with their color and scrubs dress codes.
Do you attend a university that’s not on our list? Let us know and we’ll add your college’s colors to our guide.
1) John Hopkins University School of Nursing
Students may wear a variation of the following depending on the specific course:
- Navy blue uniform pants
- Navy blue uniform skirt
- Navy blue scrub top
- White scrub top
- Black, navy, or white shoes (non-permeable)
- Navy blue hose or socks with navy shoes
- Long white lab coat with School of Nursing emblem on left sleeve and school name embroidered on left breast
All scrub tops, and lab coats must have the JHSON patch sewn on the upper left sleeve
Students may wear a navy blue fleece to and from clinicals as long as the school name is embroidered on the left breast.
2) University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
- Navy blue scrub top embroidered with Penn Nursing seal
- Navy blue scrub pants or skirt
- Lab coat with Penn Nursing patch
- Navy scrub jacket with embroidered Penn Nursing seal
- Clean, non-porous shoes in black, white, or navy. (Open back clogs not allowed. Clogs with back strap or closed back allowed.)
3) NYU College of Nursing
- Purple scrub top embroidered with NYU College of Nursing logo
- Purple scrub pants, or white or purple scrub skirt
- White closed toe, closed, back, non porous, leather-like shoes
- White socks or nude stockings
- NYU clinical name pin
- If a head covering is necessary it must be white
4) University of California- San Francisco School of Nursing
- Scrub top with UCSF patch sewn on left shoulder. The color must be consistent with the medical center dress code.
- White pants or skirt
- White shoes
5) University of Washington School of Nursing
- Deep purple scrub top with emblem on upper left sleeve, just below the shoulder
- Deep purple scrub pants
- White, short professional jacket with emblem on upper left sleeve, just below the shoulder
- Low, rubber heeled, closed toe shoes that are easily cleaned and reserved for clinicals only
6) University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) School of Nursing
- Navy blue scrub top with Nursing Patch sewn onto the left sleeve
- Navy blue scrub pants
- Scrub dress of appropriate length for bending and stretching activities worn with white or neutral hose
- White lab coat with Nursing Patch sewn onto the left sleeve
- Optional white or navy blue washable sweaters with Nursing Patch sewn onto the left sleeve
- Optional white or navy blue turtleneck or crewneck shirt to wear under scrub top
- Shoes with closed toe and closed low heel, without mesh
- Socks or hose required
7) University of Maryland- Baltimore School of Nursing
- White scrub top with school patch on right chest and name badge on left
- Tan, beige or khaki scrub pants. (Female students prohibited from wearing pants for religious reasons may wear khaki skirts.)
- Socks or hosiery a must
- Shoes with laces. Solid leather or composition shoes preferred.
8) Duke School of Nursing
- Navy blue scrub top with DUSON emblem on the left sleeve, 2 inches from the shoulder seam
- Navy blue scrub pants or skirt
- Gray polo-style shirt
- Clean, closed-toe, closed back, flat-heeled solid black or white leather shoes
9) University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill School of Nursing
Graduate Students Require:
- Two 1" x 3" (approx.) name tags with black lettering on a white background that includes the following information: FIRST NAME LAST NAME
GRADUATE STUDENT
UNC-CH SCHOOL OF NURSING
Undergraduate Students Require the Following Nursing Uniform:
- Light blue scrub pants
- Light blue scrub top with UNC SON logo
- Optional black scrub jacket with UNC SON logo
- White polo shirt with UNC SON logo
- White leather or leather-like shoes (no open back/open toe clogs)
- White socks
- Two 1" x 3" (approx.) name tags with black lettering on a white background that includes the following information: FIRST NAME LAST NAME
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
UNC-CH SCHOOL OF NURSING
10) University of Illinois- Chicago College of Nursing
- V-neck scrub top with CON emblem; choice of one pocket or two
- Optional white short sleeved underscrub that doesn't extend beyond the sleeves of the scrub top
- Scrub pants with drawstring or elastic waist
- White lab coat with CON emblem on left sleeve
11) Emory University School of Nursing
- Navy blue scrub pants
- Navy blue tunic scrub top with the Emory University School of Nursing emblem embroidered on the upper left chest area
- Optional blue or white cuffed long sleeve jacket- may have the NHWSON emblem embroidered on upper left chest
- White, professional, mid-thigh length lab coat
- Optional thin, plain, nude, black or white long sleeve underscrub
- Solid white or black leather or vinyl nursing shoes, with flat rubber or other quiet soles
- White socks that cover ankle must be worn with shoes
11) University of Virginia School of Nursing
- Ceil blue scrub top with embroidered SON logo
- Navy blue uniform pants
- White, closed-toe, well-maintained shoes for clinical purposes only
- Lab coat & nursing polo shirt (BSN's need not purchase these 2 items)
12) The College of New Jersey
- Navy Pull-on Pants
- White Unisex Scrub Top
- White lab coat
- Black walking shoes
- Black or navy socks or street hose
13) Purdue University School of Nursing
- White lab coat
- Black scrub pants
- White or black scrub top
- White or black uniform dress
- White or black shoes (must be closed-toe & closed-back)
- White or black socks