fake nails in med school?

hi!! i’m an aspiring med student (currently about to finish y12) and i was wondering if in medical school if it’s allowed to have long/fake nails? i normally get gel extensions monthly and they’re not that long but still longer than normal nails typically with some art, and idk if they’d be allowed. i get that it would probably be against rules for hospital placements or something but for example for a first year med student would it be permissible? im not sure how long you spend on placements vs uni lectures every year so idk if you could have them first year but not third year or something like that. idk if ive explained my question well or if it makes sense but id appreciate input from any current med students!! thank uuu

Reply 1

TSR Hippocrates

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Reply 2

George&Mary

Not a med student, but for med school clinical placements, and I would expect for the majority, for non placement clinical training, you will not be allowed fake nails and real nails will need to be trimmed short - for infection control.

When you are on clinical placements will vary school to school, as will clinical training. But most will have one or the other for much of the course.

I would not plan on having built up acrylics or gels through med school or your career tbh.

Press ons for parties which are removable for clinical activity may be an option. Have also seen some lovely spiral wire ones which are slip on slip off.

(edited 11 months ago)

Reply 3

Nuttyneuron

I think in first year when you're relatively non-clinical and things are lecture/lab based, fake nails should be fine.
However, they are definitely not allowed during clinical placements - due infection control. Similarly, painted/gels/fake nails are not recommended in your work as a doctor when you qualify.

I'm a doctor and I only use nail varnish etc during a chunk of annual leave as a bit of a treat.