The professional nurse: with or without a uniform

Nurses are not united in their view about the symbolic and practical importance of the nurses' cap and uniform. Controversy about manditory dress codes for nurses still exists in many agencies and institutions. The uniformed nurse can evoke positive and negative images, ranging from the angel of mercy and handmaiden of the physician, to the inflictor of pain. Nurses seek greater autonomy over their work life, and more say about matters that affect them. Nurse administrators are in a key position to take the lead in promoting practices that assist nurses to assume responsibility for many aspects of their professional lives. This paper explores the origin of the nurses uniform and cap and their continued relevance for modern nurses.