It has been many years since the NSNU introduced standardized uniforms for nurses working in acute care. The uniform, a white top and black pants, has been included in several consecutive acute care collective agreements to ensure nurses are visible and easy to identify in the workplace. 

It is important to note that our contract language specifies that nurses are to wear white tops with black pants, and no other variation of this combination – in particular, black tops are not in keeping with contract requirements. It is important to maintain uniformity in the workplace so as not to cause confusion.

Nurse visibility is as important today as it was when this initiative was launched. Patients and families are able to immediately identify nurses in a sea of scrubs, which makes it easier for them to seek out the correct health care professional for their needs. Further, white and black uniforms make it apparent when nurses on any given unit are working short staffed, a problem that persists in our provincial health care system. When patients and families can see that nurses are in short supply, more pressure is put on government and employers to improve staffing levels. 

Over the past several years numerous provincial nurse unions across Canada, and many NSNU long-term care locals, have opted in to the white and black, further cementing this iconic look as that of a “nurse”. The NSNU remains proud of this policy that has improved the visibility, safety and professional image of our members.