Nursing Students' Perspectives on Current Nursing Uniform in Iran: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The uniform plays a crucial role in establishing professional identity and recognition. In Iran, the inability to differentiate nurses from other healthcare team members has led to dissatisfaction among both patients and nurses. This research aimed to explore the perspectives of nursing students regarding nursing uniforms in Iran. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a cross‑sectional descriptive study involving 457 nursing students from Isfahan, Iran. The survey was carried out between April and May 2024, utilizing a non‑probability sampling method. The data collection instrument included a researcher‑developed questionnaire with two sections: demographic information and students’ opinions on uniforms. Data analysis was conducted utilizing both descriptive and analytical statistical methods, with the statistical significance threshold set at p < 0.05. Results: According to the results, 70.70% of students in terms of “appearance,” 78.10% in terms of “comfort,” 68.50% in terms of “a sense of professional identity,” 65.20% in terms of “sense of self‑confidence,” 54.30% in terms of “infection control regulations,” and 58.90% in terms of “influence on the nursing image” preferred scrubs to white coats. The factors of age, academic semester, and academic degree were significantly associated with the selection of uniform type (f = 455, t = 2.87, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Nursing students showed a preference for the scrub uniforms over the white coat across various aspects. Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of recognizing the variations in uniform colors across different units, deeming the use of white as unsuitable for all units.