New dress code for nurses challenged

Justice R Mahadevan before whom the plea moved by a couple of nurses challenging the GO as the dress code varies among different categories of female nurses came up on Friday, directed Health Secretary, director of medical education and others to file their counters. However, the judge refused to grant any interim stay of the said GO. The petitioners had contended that after completing nursing in a private college they joined as nurses at a Government Hospital in 2015. 

Now, as per GO passed, nurses with less than 10 years of service must wear white half sleeve shirt and pants and for those who had served over 10 years, the dress prescribed is a half sleeve churidhar, bottoms and over coat. Noting that the dress code varies based on the years of service, the nurses submitted that such differentiation in dress was unwarranted. However, Additional Advocate General appearing for State submitted that though churidhar was not Tamil Nadu’s traditional dress, feedback from most nurses has been positive.

As per the GO, female nurses with 10 years or lesser experience will sport white half sleeve top with white pants while those with above 10 years’ experience will wear white half sleeve chudidhar and white bottom. Female nursing superintendent (Grade 2) will wear pink colour saree with white overcoat while female nursing superintendent (Grade 1) will wear pista green colour saree with white overcoat. Similarly, Nurses at the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) will wear a white half sleeve pink top and pink pants.