Public image and professionalism are integral. Meeting the professional expectations and the code of ethics can play a role in creating either positive or negative impacts on the patient’s experience. The article offers essential insight into the professional image and its role in shaping the patient’s perception. The exploration of patient perception offers evidence-based research outcomes that would inform the nursing dress code. The end goal of healthcare is the provision of the best experiences and families. The first contact with the patient is critical in creating the perception of the patient. Despite the nurses retaining the crown of being the most trusted professionals, they still grapple with public image. As noted, the article, the dress code ranges from “matronly in a white uniform with a cap to sensual and cute in a tight miniskirt.” The dress code is vital in influencing the perception of the practice and the overall image. Most nurses (90%) agree that the dress code has an impact on the public image. In the past, there was strict adherence to dress code; however, the rise of popular culture (media and online marketing) has created a new preference, which leads to the creation of informal attire.
The article presents a case study on Geisinger Medical Center, which sought to capture the patients’ opinions on professionalism and dress code. A convenience sample comprising of 200 inpatients and 200 outpatients would play an instrumental role in understanding patients’ perception of the professional dress appearance. Based on the patients’ responses, the hospital management was tasked with the responsibility of updating the dress code policy. Using the collected evidence, the implementation of the revised dress code used in standardizing the image of the nurses would form the next step. The emphasis on the professional image would create a paradigm that would inform future research on perception and patient experiences.