It is important that all athletic training students (ATS) are easily identifiable and professional in appearance at all times. The uniform is to always be clean and presentable. If the ATS is not wearing the proper uniform or following the dress code for their specific clinical education site, an infraction report should be submitted to the coordinator of clinical education and the ATS will be asked to leave and may return after changing into the proper attire for the assigned clinical education site.
Clinical education sites not affiliated directly with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) may request a different dress code to be followed by the ATS. If a separate dress code is requested by a clinical education site, options for an appropriate uniform must be made available to the ATS for the duration at that specific clinical education site. If a separate dress code is not requested, the ATS will follow the dress code as requested by UNL clinical education sites.
The ATS must also abide by the following rules while attending all clinical education activities:
- Pants or shorts should be of an appropriate length and should be kept clean and be of a professional image. Shorts length should be no shorter than mid-thigh. Pants and shorts are recommended to be khaki, black, and grey in color. Jeans, joggers, sweatpants, or leggings are NOT ALLOWED at any time.
- No open-toed shoes (i.e., flip-flops) are to be worn in any clinical education site. Flat-soled, athletic-type shoes are required. If a clinical event requires the student to dress in business professional attire, it is recommended that the dress shoes not include high heels.
- Tank tops, low necklines, advertisements for alcohol or tobacco, fraternity or sorority letters, logos from other colleges/universities, or athletic brands other than Adidas (i.e., Nike, Under Armour) are not permitted on clothing at assigned clinical education sites.
- Hats are not to be worn indoors. Hats are acceptable outdoors; however, they must have a logo affiliated with the University of Nebraska, Adidas, or the clinical site the student is assigned.
- Students should have their name tag on their person and visible at all clinical experiences, the exception being competition events. If the student does not have their nametag/badge, they will be asked to leave and return once they have located it. A nametag/badge will be provided for each student at the beginning of the program, any replacement or additional badge expenses will be left to the student to pay.
- When traveling, athletic training students should adhere to the team dress codes.
- Athletic training-issued clothing is to be worn for athletic department business only.
- Shirt tails must be tucked in at all times. If your shirt is too short to tuck in, the student must change into a different shirt that may be properly tucked. All underwear, including bra straps, should be completely covered by outer clothing.
- ATS represent the healthcare team and are a reflection of the healthcare environment they are assigned to. ATS should present themselves in a clean, sanitary, and professional manner that includes, but is not limited to, minimizing harsh odors (e.g., body odors or colognes/perfumes) and keeping attire stain-free, wrinkle-free, and without frays.
- Fingernails must be kept trimmed and clean. Long nails do not provide a sanitary work environment and may interfere with required activities in a healthcare setting.
- All hair, including facial hair, should be clean and groomed. Long hair should be pulled back in order to not interfere with patient care or sanitary conditions.
- Jewelry (including face, ears, wrist, neck, and finger) should be kept clean and should not interfere with the safety and sanitary conditions of the patient’s care. Preceptors and athletic training faculty may use discretion on an individual basis if jewelry is deemed excessive and unhygienic.
- Any visible tattoos must not be offensive or derogatory. Preceptors and athletic training faculty may use discretion on an individual basis to determine if tattoos need to be covered while in the clinical setting.