This document discusses the importance of grooming and maintaining a professional image for nurses. It emphasizes that grooming involves more than just appearance, and includes behaviors and communication. The three key aspects of grooming are appearance, behavior, and communication. Maintaining proper dress code, hygiene, posture and a caring attitude are important for projecting a positive image to patients. First impressions from appearance are formed within the first seven seconds and influence how professionally one is perceived. Proper grooming establishes immediate trust, authority and credibility.

1. Art of grooming
Prof. Rupa Verma
Principal
MKSSS S.N. College of
Nursing

2. Why we need grooming
• "Patients who visit a hospital
obviously don't come in the best
of their moods.
• On top of that, if a nurse is not
smartly turned out or doesn't
have her manners right, he will
be even more put off.
• When they pay for good
services, one mismatch can
bring the whole experience
down,"

4. ABC of Grooming
• Grooming is a very important aspect of personality
development.
• "A refers to appearance,
• B for behaviour and
• C for communication.
• Nursing is not only about looking good but also
learning the basics of the profession
• Nurses must maintain a confident posture, dress code,
hairstyle and express a caring attitude to patients.

5. Goals of Appropriate Dress and
Grooming
• The primary goal is to "feel good" about the
way you look and project a positive image.
When you feel good about yourself, you
naturally convey confidence and a positive
attitude.
• The nonverbal messages are as important as
the verbal skills you use at work place.

6. Professional Image
• Remember that the
workplace isn't your
home. It may not be
completely fair, but
people do judge you
by the way you dress.
• What you wear
supports or detracts
from your
professional image
and sends a clear
message to others
about how you see
yourself and how you
want to be perceived
by others.

7. Professional Image
Most nurses would agree that they
want to be viewed as professional,
intelligent, and competent.
You need to ask yourself if your
appearance mirrors that image.
If you dress too casually, patients
may question your professionalism
and attention to detail. Example:
Does a nurse dressed in cartoon-
print scrubs establish immediate
trust, authority, and credibility?.

8. Grooming at interview
• First Impressions
• Most of us have heard the expression, "A
picture is worth a thousand words."
Remember this when preparing to meet
with a prospective employer. The picture
you create will greatly influence your
chances of being hired.
• Most employers form a first impression
during the first seven seconds of a meeting.
Not much is said is this short time; early
judgment is based strictly on appearance.
Furthermore, studies reveal that employers
consistently ask the question, "Does the
individual look right for the job?”

9. First Impression Matter

10. Personal hygiene and grooming
• Personal grooming is just as important as what you wear. You may select
the right clothes, but neglecting personal hygiene can ruin the image you
wish to present..
• Hair Clean, trimmed, and neatly combed or arranged.
• Facial Hair (men) Freshly shaved; mustache or beard neatly groomed.
Fingernails Neat, clean, and trimmed.
• Teeth Brushed and fresh breath Breath Beware of foods which may leave
breath odor. Beware of tobacco, alcohol, and coffee odor.
• Use a breath mint if needed.
• Body Freshly bathed/showered; use deodorant.
• Remove body piercings, tongue rings, and cover tattoos if possible.
• Make-up (Women) Use sparingly and be natural looking. Perfumes/
Colognes/ After Shave Use sparingly or none at all. Your “fragnance"
should not linger after you leave.

11. Remember
. Your clothes should complement you. To be credible, you should look
perfectly comfortable in what you are wearing. Consider the shape, style, colour,
texture, pattern and fit. They should harmonise with your body shape, face shape,
hair, skin and eye colouring and also reflect your personality.
.
Your clothes should fit well. Jackets should fit across the back of the neck,
the back and chest. Skirts should fit without gathering or creasing around the seat
area and gently follow the contours of your body shape. Shirt collars/necklines
should not be too loose or too tight. Trousers should fit well in the waist, thigh and
seat areas, and break gently on the top of the shoe. Ties should be well-knotted
and tied to the correct length, just covering the trouser waistband.
.
Know what image you want to project. Take control of the messages
your appearance sends out every day. Decide whether you want to be
professional, credible, polished, creative or charismatic. Define what your image
says and own it.

12. • Your clothes should be appropriate for the organisation, the occasion, the
people you work with and the time of year
• Look up to date. You will never appear well dressed if your look is
obviously out of date.
• Your clothes should speak quality. A quality fabric and well-designed suit
or jacket is an investment that will repay itself over and over, so buy the
highest quality you can afford. Look for a good cut with better fabrics that
have drape and ease of movement..
• Be well accessorised. A professional look will be undermined if you don't
pay enough attention to your accessories. Watches, pens, spectacles,
briefcases, jewellery and belts should always be of the highest quality you
can afford and in good condition.
.