Odisha government introduces new uniform code for nursing staff

Bhubaneswar, Nov 11: The Odisha Government has introduced a new dress code for nursing employees across the state’s healthcare facilities.

The Health and Family Welfare Department established this uniform standard in response to a proposal from the Odisha Nursing Employees’ Association, aiming to bring consistency and professionalism to the attire of nursing personnel.

Under the revised guidelines, nursing staff will wear designated colours and uniforms according to their roles and the areas they work in.

For Nursing Officers and Senior Nursing Officers, light lavender has been chosen as their primary uniform colour. In ICU, OT, and Labour Room settings, both male and female nursing officers are required to wear scrub suits. However, in general wards, female officers will have the option of wearing either sarees or salwar kameez with 3/4th sleeves, while male officers will wear shirts paired with deep navy blue trousers.

For those in the role of Assistant Nursing Superintendent (ANS), cyan blue is the designated colour. Similar to Nursing Officers, ANS staff in ICUs, OTs, and Labour Rooms must wear scrub suits. In general ward settings, female ANS staff are permitted to wear sarees or salwar kameez, and male staff will wear shirts with deep navy blue trousers, maintaining a consistent and professional appearance across departments.

The Deputy Nursing Superintendent (DNS) and Nursing Superintendent (NS) staff will adopt a classic white uniform. In critical care units such as ICUs and OTs, all DNS and NS personnel will wear scrub suits. In general wards, female officers will wear white sarees, and male officers will wear white shirts with deep navy blue trousers. To add a regional touch, the collar of their white aprons will feature a border of deep purple Sambalpuri fabric.

Additional guidelines specify that all nursing officers in general wards must wear a white half-sleeve apron, while ANS, DNS, and NS personnel are required to don a full-sleeve apron. Each uniform will display a name and designation badge for easy identification, ensuring that patients and colleagues can readily identify staff members.