While most hospitals seem to turn a blind eye to jewelry (aside from in the OR, where the rules follow AORN Standards), it is unwise to wear hand or arm jewelry in the clinical setting. We are constantly exposed to pathogens, which we do not want to carry to other patients or home to our families. Rings, watches and bracelets are harborers of pathogens, and should not be worn. Aside from the fact that it is gross, it is very difficult to disinfect some of these pieces. Even a plain wedding band traps germs under it, which are not removed with hand washing unless the ring is removed and properly cleaned each time. You should not have jewelry or sleeves below the elbow. Neck jewelry should be small enough not to dangle into your field of work. Earrings should not put you at risk of ear injury if a patient grabbed and pulled them. They should break away easily, or be too small to grab. If you work in the OR you will be trained on standards of attire to maintain sterility.
A watch is appropriate but anything else I would not recommend. Rings, bracelets have a high likelihood of carrying harmful bacteria, including MRSA, necklaces carry a risk of strangulation, and earrings can be ripped off. And nails should be short, clean, and well maintained, without nail polish (most places that I have worked have banned nail polish and artificial nails)
The simpler the better, jewelry breeds infection, most nurses know not to wear more than and wedding ring and at times not even that. Medically speaking less is better
The only type of jewelry that is appropriate at work is a watch and earrings that do not hang below your ear lobe.
