Nurse's cap

Nurses wearing their caps.

The German nurse in this photo wears a heavily starched nurse's cap. 1939.

Polish nurses, wearing a uniform that includes a nursing cap, care for a patient in 1993.

Traditional headwear worn by female nurses as part of their uniform

Nurse's cap or nursing cap is a traditional piece of headgear that was historically worn by female nurses as a component of their professional uniform. The cap served both symbolic and practical functions and was introduced early in the formal history of the nursing profession. Today, nurse's caps are largely obsolete in clinical practice but are still used in ceremonial contexts or in some educational institutions.

History

The nurse’s cap has its origins in the early days of modern nursing, influenced largely by the attire of nuns, who were among the earliest caregivers. Florence Nightingale, widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing, emphasized hygiene, discipline, and professional appearance, which led to the adoption of a clean, modest uniform—of which the cap became an iconic component.

Throughout the late 19th and 20th centuries, the cap became a symbol of the nursing profession. As nursing schools proliferated, many adopted unique cap designs, creating distinctive variations that could identify the alma mater of a nurse.

Design and Function

The original purpose of the nurse’s cap was both hygienic and symbolic. Functionally, it was used to:

• Keep the nurse’s hair neatly in place.
• Maintain cleanliness in clinical settings.
• Reflect the modest and disciplined image of the profession.

Caps were typically made of starched white cotton or linen, shaped into various forms depending on institutional tradition. Styles varied from simple folded rectangles to elaborate pleated designs. Some caps included a black ribbon or stripe, indicating graduation or level of training.

Male nurses traditionally did not wear nurse’s caps. As more men entered the profession in the 20th century, uniform policies evolved to exclude caps altogether to promote gender neutrality and practicality.

Capping Ceremony

In many nursing schools, particularly throughout the 20th century, a formal event known as the capping ceremony was held. During this ceremony, new nursing students were presented with their caps in a rite of passage before beginning their clinical (hospital-based) training.

The capping ceremony was a moment of pride and significance, symbolizing a student's commitment to the ideals and responsibilities of the nursing profession. In some programs, the ceremony also included a pledge, often derived from the Florence Nightingale Pledge.

Decline in Use

By the late 20th century, the nurse’s cap began to fall out of favor in clinical settings due to several factors:

• The rise of infection control protocols that required easy-to-clean, minimalistic uniforms.
• Practical considerations—caps could fall off, become contaminated, or be difficult to wear with modern personal protective equipment.
• Changing cultural norms that viewed the cap as outdated or overly gendered.
• An emphasis on functional scrub attire, which became standard in most healthcare settings.

As a result, nurse’s caps are now rarely seen in hospitals or clinics. They are, however, sometimes retained for ceremonial purposes, such as during graduation or recognition events.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

Despite their decline in practical use, nurse’s caps remain a powerful symbol of nursing heritage and professionalism. In popular culture, the nurse's cap continues to serve as an iconic representation of the profession, often used in media, advertising, and historical reenactments.

Modern Variants

While traditional caps are no longer used in most countries, some variants persist in:

• **Nursing schools** – for graduation or commemorative ceremonies.
• **Certain religious or private institutions** – where traditional uniforms are preserved.
• **Historical reenactments** – where period-accurate nursing uniforms are worn.

See also

• Nursing uniform
• Florence Nightingale
• Capping ceremony
• Scrubs (clothing)
• Nursing education
• Nursing

External links

• American Nurses Association
• National League for Nursing
• Florence Nightingale – Wikipedia

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