Get Your Students Hired
In the career of health occupations wearing a dress or pant suit would not be appropriate in class. I believe it is important for students to see the uniform as their professional dress. This includes making sure the uniform is clean, ironed and fits properly. Modeling this behavior will assist the students in showing up to work with their uniform appearing professional.
I model my uniform in this professional manner in class and clinicals for students. I think back to professional role models I looked up to and this was their standard of appearance. The standard they expected of me as a student has carried over into my professional standards. I feel modeling this behavior assist the student in developing their own professional standards.
Is it appropriate to send a student home that shows up to clinicals in a uniform that is wrinkled, unkept and does not fit them properly?
I agree in dressing professionally. A clean, neat uniform shows respect for your career and job title.
Quimonder,
You make a great point! I agree that seeing a professional look sloppy or unprepared would be a cause for concern.
Absolutely Tara,
Ask them the question? If you were coming in for a procedure by your doctor and he looked as if he had just left happy hour would you want him/her to perform the procedure. When you look the part you work more effectively, you are in your role and demonstrating that you are ready to perform.
KEVIN,
Thank you for sharing this example with us because it is dead on in terms of what it takes for success in different fields. I spent my time in the construction trades. Being dressed clean and ready to go at the beginning of the day is good as you say but job success meant being willing to do what ever was required to complete the job and that meant a lot of dirty clothes at the end of the day. This is where common sense and an understanding of what the work requirements are blend as you say and the students need to see this for themselves as they progress in their courses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Always on; I like that tag line. When I'm discussing uniform requirements with students, I often have a hard time seeing eye to eye with them because I am an electrical instructor. Our institute has a dress code that requires a button down shirt that is to be tucked in at all times. Many of our students are already in the field, and others have a knowledge of what is expected in the trade. Typically, the attire is jeans and a t-shirt, some companies will supply shirts, but very few employers require more than a t-shirt and pants.
Sometimes I see an evening student come to class straight from work and they are covered in dirt after working in and out of trenches all day; and due to lack of time can't get home to change. It's hard to convince the class that the student is not in uniform, when the idea is employers won't hire you dressed like that.
His boss loves him for being willing to be the first one in the trench, or crawling through an attic, or crawl space.
We remind our students all the time that the first impression is all you get, 15 - 30 seconds one time, and you need to set a good example and leave a lasting impression. When asked, "did you interview for your job covered in mud?"
It gives the class a clear understanding that the beginning of the day, is what is important; if a worker stepped out of the truck first thing in the morning and was not clean and presentable the employer will send you home; but getting dirty as part of the day is sometimes what happens and acceptable at that point.
I then will lighten the conversion and close the discussion with an example of a few of the not so clean co-workers I've spent time with and get a few laughs, and move on.
So, the idea of a lasting first impression brings the student attire and dress code back in line.
Tara,
Good point in terms of always needing to look the part. An instructor is always "on" even when talking informally to students as well as being observed when in other parts of the building.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I am a firm believer in "looking the part" at all times. We should all look like where we strive to go professionally. In some healthcare environments there may be two acceptable work attires that can be displayed. Whichever one is appropriate, scrubs or professional work attire, the individual should adhere and take pride in their appearance at all times.
HOWARD,
This is why it is so important to model the language, dress and conduct expected of your career area. You are the image that your students will see and develop an understanding of as they move through their courses.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Yes I think you have to. In a real life situation an employer would frown on this pretty quickly, and it would cost them the job.
Heather,
Your modeling of the appropriate and expected dress of the career area in this health occupations is right on target for your students. They need to see and experience the uniform in which they will be spending their career. As for students not meeting the dress expectations as in the example you shared I would establish a sequence of consequences to work them through until you get the dress outcome you want. If for example this student had been warned and it was documented then yes, it would be appropriate to send the student home to get an uniform that is clean, crisp and fits properly. You are helping them to develop soft as well as technical skills and this student is not going to be successful showing up to work like that. The student may not like it but you are doing him or her a real service by helping them meet the accepted dress code.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.