All athletic training students (ATS) must maintain a professional appearance and be easily identifiable at all times. Uniforms should be clean, neat, and presentable.
If an ATS is not wearing the proper uniform or following the dress code for their assigned clinical education site:
- An infraction report will be submitted to the Coordinator of Clinical Education.
- The student will be asked to leave the site and may return only once dressed appropriately.
Clinical Site-Specific Dress Codes
- Some sites not directly affiliated with UNL may require a different dress code. In these cases, appropriate uniform options will be provided to students for the duration of their assignment.
- If no separate dress code is specified, students must follow the UNL ATP dress code.
Dress Code Requirements
- Pants/Shorts: Must be clean, professional, and of appropriate length. Shorts may be no shorter than mid-thigh. Recommended colors include khaki, black, or gray. Not permitted: jeans, joggers, sweatpants, or leggings.
- Shoes: Closed-toe, flat-soled athletic shoes are required. Open-toed shoes (e.g., flip-flops) are not allowed. If business-professional attire is required, dress shoes should be worn (high heels are not recommended).
- Shirts/Logos: Tank tops, low necklines, and clothing with alcohol/tobacco ads, fraternity/sorority letters, or logos from other universities or athletic brands (other than Adidas) are prohibited.
- Hats: Not allowed indoors. Outdoors, hats may only display a UNL logo, Adidas logo, or the clinical site’s logo.
- Nametag/Badge: Must be worn and visible at all clinical experiences (except competition events). Students without their badge will be asked to leave until it is retrieved. One badge will be provided at the start of the program; replacement costs are the student’s responsibility.
- Travel: When traveling with a team, students must follow the team’s dress code.
- Athletic Training-Issued Gear: May only be worn for official athletic department business.
- Shirts: Shirt tails must remain tucked in. If a shirt cannot be tucked in properly, it must be replaced. Undergarments (including bra straps) must not be visible.
Professional Grooming Standards
- Overall Presentation: Students represent the health care team and should maintain a clean, sanitary, and professional image. Clothing should be stain-free, wrinkle-free, and without frays. Strong odors (e.g., body odor, perfumes/colognes) should be minimized.
- Fingernails: Must be kept trimmed and clean. Long nails are not sanitary and may interfere with patient care.
- Hair: Must be clean, groomed, and controlled. Long hair should be tied back to avoid interfering with care. Facial hair must be neat and professional.
- Jewelry: Must be clean and should not interfere with patient safety or sanitation. Excessive or unhygienic jewelry may be restricted at the discretion of preceptors or ATP faculty.
- Tattoos: Visible tattoos must not be offensive or derogatory. Preceptors or ATP faculty may require tattoos to be covered if deemed inappropriate for the clinical setting.