A nurse walks several kilometres on an average shift, lifts patients, bends over beds and gets splashed more often than anyone else in the hospital. The nurse uniform has to cope with all of that, stay modest, and still tell patients at a glance who to ask for help.
This guide covers the nurse uniform designs hospitals in Pakistan use for female and male nurses, the colours and fabrics that work, and what to plan when ordering in bulk. For whole-hospital orders, see our page on hospital uniform manufacturers in Pakistan.
White or coloured?
White is the traditional nurse colour in Pakistan, and many government and teaching hospitals still use it. It looks clean and is instantly recognised.
Private hospitals increasingly choose coloured tunics or scrubs instead. Colours hide marks between washes, and a separate colour for nurses makes them easy to tell apart from doctors and support staff. Our guide to scrub colours and what they mean covers the usual choices.
Nurse uniform designs for female nurses
1. Long tunic with trousers
A tunic that reaches the mid-thigh or knee, with straight trousers. It is modest, easy to move in and the most common design in private hospitals.
2. Kameez-style top with shalwar or trousers
A kameez-style top in the uniform colour, with shalwar or straight trousers and a matching scarf or hijab. Many nurses prefer it, and it keeps the uniform consistent with everyday Pakistani dress.
3. Scrub set with a longer top
A V-neck scrub top cut longer than the standard hip length, with three-quarter or full sleeves on request. It suits ICUs, emergency and operation theatres.
Nurse uniform designs for male nurses
Male nurses usually wear a scrub set or a tunic with trousers. Keep it in the same colour as the female nursing staff, so patients see one nursing team rather than two.
Details nurses ask for
- Pockets that hold things: two lower pockets plus a chest or sleeve pocket for pens and scissors.
- Name and rank embroidery: the nurse’s name and role on the chest, so patients can call them by name.
- Room to move: a little stretch in the fabric, or side vents on longer tunics.
- Modest cuts: longer tops, full sleeves and matching hijabs or scarves where the hospital wants them.
Fabric guide for nurse uniforms
| Item | Fabric | Typical weight | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunics and ward uniforms | 65/35 poly-cotton | 160–200 GSM | Holds its colour in hot hospital washes |
| Scrub sets | Poly-cotton with spandex stretch | 170–200 GSM | Moves with the body on long shifts |
| White uniforms | White poly-cotton twill | 180–220 GSM | Opaque and crisp; stain-release finish on request |
For a detailed comparison of scrub fabrics, read our guide to the best fabric for medical scrubs.
Nursing students and nursing colleges
Nursing colleges usually give students a uniform in a different colour or with a different badge from qualified staff, so patients know who is still in training. Collect sizes before each new session and keep the design the same every year, so every batch matches.
How many sets each nurse needs
Plan at least three sets per nurse: one worn, one in the wash and one spare for the days a uniform gets soiled mid-shift. Night-shift teams in cooler months may also need a cardigan or jacket in the uniform colour.
Ordering nurse uniforms in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Hospitals, clinics and nursing colleges in the twin cities can see fabric swatches and sample tunics at our factory near I-10, IJP Road, Rawalpindi, or at our Blue Area office in Islamabad. We make nurse uniforms from 30 sets per design, in sizes XS to 4XL, with names embroidered.
Winter layers for nursing staff
Night shifts in Islamabad and Rawalpindi get cold from December to February, and wards are not always heated. A cardigan or zip-up jacket in the uniform colour, with the hospital logo, keeps nurses warm and still looks like part of the uniform.
It is also easier to keep clean than a personal shawl or sweater, because it is washed with the rest of the uniform. Order winter layers in the same batch as tunics so the colour matches exactly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nurse uniform in Pakistan?
Many government hospitals still use white for nurses, while private hospitals increasingly use coloured scrubs or tunics. Each hospital sets its own design and colours.
What do female nurses wear in Pakistan?
Usually a long tunic or kameez-style top with straight trousers or shalwar, often with a matching scarf or hijab. Some hospitals use scrub sets with longer tops instead.
What do male nurses wear?
Male nurses usually wear scrub sets or a tunic with trousers, in the same colour as the female nursing staff so the team is easy to identify.
Which fabric is best for nurse uniforms?
65/35 poly-cotton (160–200 GSM) holds its colour through hot hospital washes. Poly-cotton with a little spandex stretch is more comfortable for long, active shifts.
Need uniforms for your nursing team?
WhatsApp +92 331 5050974 with your staff numbers, colours and the design you have in mind. We will send fabric options and a sample plan.