Bear Grips Pro ShopsTravel Nurse Uniform and Dress Code: What to Wear on Assignment
- Most travel nurses wear scrubs in the color and style mandated by the assignment facility.
- Scrub color is usually dictated by the facility (navy for nurses in some systems, ceil blue in others, hospital-specific colors in many).
- White coats are rare for travel nurses (more common for travel NPs and travel CRNAs).
- Custom apparel covers the layers around the scrubs: under-scrub base layers, post-shift change-out, off-shift wear.
Travel nurses wear scrubs in almost every assignment setting. The specific color, style, and any additional uniform requirements are dictated by the assignment facility, not by the travel nursing agency. This guide breaks down travel nurse uniform and dress code by setting and covers the custom apparel that fills the layers around the scrubs.
Do Travel Nurses Wear Scrubs?
Yes. Travel nurses in hospital, ICU, ED, OR, L&D, and most other clinical assignment settings wear scrubs as the regulated work uniform. The agency typically does not dictate scrub specifics. The assignment facility does.
What the facility usually dictates:
- Scrub color (often role-coded: navy for RNs in some systems, ceil blue in others, hospital-specific colors in many)
- Scrub brand or vendor (some facilities require a specific approved vendor, others allow nurse-chosen brands)
- ID badge and credential display requirements
- Stethoscope and pen placement
- Sleeve length and undergarment color restrictions
Most travel nurses pack 4-6 scrub sets for an assignment (rotation across 12-hour shifts) plus 1-2 backup sets. Scrubs are washed in-rental or at a hotel laundry between shifts.
Scrub Color by Facility Type
Common scrub color patterns travel nurses encounter:
- Navy: Common for RNs in many hospital systems
- Ceil blue: Common for RNs in other systems, often differentiated from techs and assistants
- Hunter green: Common in OR and surgical settings
- Wine / burgundy: Used in some specialty units (Pediatrics, NICU, L&D)
- Black: Used in some private practice and concierge medicine settings
- Caribbean blue / royal blue: Common in some pediatric and family medicine settings
- White: Rare for nurses (more common for medical assistants and rooming staff)
The agency contract or pre-assignment paperwork usually specifies the required color for the facility. Travel nurses arriving for the first day of a new assignment typically have the right color scrubs already prepped based on the contract paperwork.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.White Coats for Travel Nurses
Most travel nurses (travel RNs) do not wear white coats. White coats are more common for:
- Travel nurse practitioners (NPs) on hospitalist or specialty contracts
- Travel CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) for anesthesia consult settings
- Travel midwives in some hospital systems
- Travel APRNs in academic medical centers
For travel RNs the closest analog to the white coat is an embroidered quarter-zip pullover or polo with credential identity, used for off-shift CME settings, professional networking events, or hospital recruitment fairs.
Custom Layers Around the Scrub Uniform
The custom apparel that fills the layers around the scrub uniform is where Bear Grips Pro Shops fits in:
- Under-scrub base layer tees for cold ICU and ED settings (Sport-Tek Performance Tee in single-color)
- Pre-shift commute hoodie for cold-weather assignments (Bear Grips Comfort Soft Hoodie with credential)
- Post-shift change-out tee at the extended-stay hotel or rental (Bear Grips Airlume Cotton Tee)
- Off-shift gym wear (Sport-Tek athletic shorts plus performance tee)
- Explore-the-city pieces (Next Level Tri-Blend tee, lightweight pullover hoodie)
- Embroidered cap for outdoor explore days and travel day flights
None of these replace the regulated scrub uniform. They fill the entire wardrobe around it.
Telehealth Travel Nurse Attire
The rise of telehealth has created a small but growing subset of travel nurses working remote telephone triage and tele-ICU contracts. For these nurses, the dress code differs from in-person hospital assignments:
- Polished collared shirt or polo with credential
- Embroidered quarter-zip pullover with credential on the chest
- Solid color tops in neutral colors (no busy patterns that distort on video)
- White coat optional and often dropped because it can wash out under camera lighting
The standard telehealth travel nurse setup is an embroidered Sport-Tek Performance Quarter-Zip Pullover in navy or charcoal with the credential on the left chest.
Build Your Travel Nurse Layers
Custom under-scrub layers, post-shift change-out tees, and off-shift wardrobe pieces. Ships to wherever you are. No minimum, no inventory.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Do travel nurses wear scrubs?
Yes. Travel nurses in hospital, ICU, ED, OR, L&D, and most clinical settings wear scrubs as the regulated work uniform. The specific color and style are dictated by the assignment facility, not the travel nursing agency.
What scrub color do travel nurses wear?
The assignment facility dictates the color. Navy is common for RNs in many systems, ceil blue in others. Hunter green is common in OR and surgical. Wine or burgundy in some Pediatrics and L&D units. Travel nurses pack the color specified in the contract paperwork.
Do travel nurses wear white coats?
Most travel RNs do not. White coats are more common for travel NPs, travel CRNAs, travel midwives, and travel APRNs in academic medical centers. For travel RNs, an embroidered quarter-zip pullover or polo with credential is the closest practical alternative for off-shift professional settings.
How many scrub sets does a travel nurse pack?
Typically 4-6 sets for a 13-week assignment, with 1-2 backup sets. Scrubs rotate across 12-hour shifts and get washed in-rental or at a hotel laundry between shifts. The number depends on the rotation pattern and how frequently the nurse can do laundry.
