New Dress Code For Nursing Staff In Odisha From January 1!

Bhubaneswar, Nov 11: The Odisha Government, responding to the nurses' demand, has introduced new dress code for the employees of Odisha Nursing Service Cadre (ONSC).

"The government in Health & Family Welfare Department, after careful consideration of the proposal of Odisha Nursing Employees' Association, have been pleased to decide in-principle to change the dress code for the employees of ONSC," mentions a H & FW Department, Govt of Odisha, letter from Surendra Kumar Panda, Additional Secretary to Government, dated November 8, 2024. The latter was addressed to the Director, Nursing, Odisha.

Speaking on this directive, Dr Gunurani Pattnaik, Director-Cum-Ex.Officio-Additional Secretary (Technical), said that the date for the start of new dress code is yet to be finalised. "However, a proposal has been submitted to start the new dress code from January 1," said Dr Pattnaik.

She said that the change of dress code was one of the multiple demands of the nursing staff during their protest. "They had also demanded over the gradation list and the appointment of staff in vacant posts," she stated.

"The department is working to fulfill these demands. Works are underway over gradation list. 80 per cent of the list is sent by the CDMO and we are checking the list. So the final list will be out soon," Dr Gunurani Pattnaik concluded.

Details of New Dress Code

The new dress codes have been divided in three categories carrying three colours -- light lavender, cyan blue and white. Everyone will wear white apron in general wards. The collar neck portion of the aprons will be "bordered in deep purple Sambalpuri".

In addition, in general wards, all nursing officers will wear white half-sleeve aprons, while all the ANS/DNS/NS will have full-sleeve aprons.

"All officers of the cadre, irrespective of their ranks, will have name and designation inscribed in their uniforms," mentions the official letter.

The Nursing Superintendents will have dark brown coloured badges with hospital logo with name and designation on their uniform.

Nursing Officers/Senior Nursing Officers

Their uniform will be in light lavender colour. They -- both male and female -- will wear scrub suit in ICUs (Intensive Care Units), OTs (Operation Theatres) and Labour Rooms. In general wards, female staff will wear saree or salwar & kameez (3/4th sleeve top), while the male staff will wear light lavender shirt along with deep navy blue coloured formal trousers.

Assistant Nursing Superintendent (ANS)

They will wear cyan blue coloured uniform. Both male and female will wear scrub suits in ICUs, OTs and Labour Rooms. In general wards, female staff will wear saree or salwar & kameez, while the male staff will have a dress code of cyan blue shirt to go with deep navy blue coloured formal trousers.

Deputy Nursing Superintendent (DNS)/Nursing Superintendent (NS)

These staff will have white coloured uniform. They will wear white scrub suits in ICUs, OTs and Labour Rooms.The female staff will wear saree, while the male staff will wear white shirt along with deep navy blue coloured formal trousers.