Cute and Easy Hairstyles for Nurses 

Reading Time: 4 minutes

We know when it comes to dressing your best, be it for a work function or a night out on the town (or both!), you’ve got your hair covered. Well, not literally, but you know what we mean. But, if you’re a nurse, you might actually cover your hair from time to time while you’re on the job, and even if it’s not, you may still need a cute yet unfussy look. 

With a busy life at the hospital or clinic, we know that you’d prefer to invest those precious pre-shift minutes elsewhere, whether that means hanging out with your family for a few more minutes or squeezing in an extra cup of coffee. 

If you came for the five-minute nurse hairstyles, we’ve got you. Into a wash-and-wear look that requires no effort, and we have some easy fixes too.

It doesn’t matter if you have long or short hair or are thinking about making a drastic change. We’ve got your back with easy nurse hairstyles that will help you feel great at work so you can concentrate on what really matters. 

So, save that perfectly pressed or curled coiffure for your days off, and read on for our comprehensive list of nursing hairstyles.

How should nurses wear their hair?

Should nurses wear their hair up or down? Should they cut their hair short or leave it long to pull up in creative ways? There are so many questions, and there isn’t one correct answer. After all, the answer depends on your hair preferences and hair type. What matters most is that you feel good and confident. If you look and feel good, helping your patients feel good too is easier.

That said, here are some pros and cons of different nurse hairstyles.

Short hair

Pros

• Looks and feels good
• Easy to maintain
• Natural bounce 
• Always in style 

Cons

• Can require product 
• You have to keep cutting it 
• Not all styles will work 

Long hair

Pros

• Easy to tie back 
• Lots of styling options 
• You can always change the look

Cons

• Requires regular trims and upkeep 
• More high-maintenance when it comes to styling 
• Can get in the way

What are the best hairstyles for nurses? 

Messy bun 

If you have long hair, this one’s for you. It’s one of our favorite nursing hairstyles for long hair because it takes two minutes to pull off and looks great every time.

1. Get your hair into a ponytail. 
2. Wrap the hair around the elastic into a puffy (yes, messy) bun. The trick is not to overthink this step.
3. Shake things out and pull some strands from the bun to amplify the messy vibe. 
4. Hold any stray hair into place with bobby pins.

French braid 

Another classic for those of us with long locks, this look is chic and pretty effortless, and it will get you through a long day at the hospital without worrying about your hair.

1. Split your hair into three parts. 
2. Take the left or right section and braid it over the center section. 
3. Then, take that center section and make it switch places with the one you just brought into the fold. 
4. Repeat on the other side. Side pieces become the center pieces as you go. That’s the basic logic, and remember it doesn’t have to be perfect. For best results, hold the hair firmly (with confidence!) as you move.
5. Tie the braid off at the bottom so that it won’t unravel. 

A bob

If you’re the wash-and-wear type (but chic, too!), this is your look. And it takes minutes to pull off before you step out the door.

1. Run a comb or brush through your hair.
2. Add product as needed for volume in the roots or ends.
3. Depending on the bob’s length, pull it into an easy, half-up ponytail (perfect for those incredibly long days on the job).

Pixie cut

This look is efficient but also high-fashion. You’ll need regular haircuts to keep it short, but otherwise, your day-to-day maintenance should be pretty effortless.

1. Run a comb or brush through your hair.
2. Add product as needed for volume at the roots or give it shape. 

Super-short

This look is great for male and female nurses who want that “short-hair, don’t care” look. Go shaved (or close to it) but with clean edges.

1. Wash your hair carefully with the best shampoo possible. Use dandruff shampoo if you have a dry scalp. 
2. Clean up the edges of your cut, as needed, with a razor at home. 
3. Style with  clay pomade if you want to give it a sculpted shape. 

Slick ponytail

This tidy, sleek look is the perfect go-to if you have medium-to-long hair.

1. Pull your hair up into a high ponytail, using a brush or comb to draw up all the strands. 
2. Hold the hair in position with a hair tie. Go higher than you think you may need. 
3. Add a bit of product (like gel or spray) to the hair’s surface pulled along your scalp, and gently comb backward toward the hair tie to even out bumps. It might not be perfect, but it will still look right.
4. Use bobby pins to hold any flyaways in place. 
5. If you’re feeling fancy, take a strand of hair from the ponytail, wrap it around the elastic to cover it, and pin it into a bobby pin to give your look a polished finish. 

We bet you didn’t know our expertise extends beyond luxury scrubs and into the realm of hairstyles, did you? Stick around, and check out what else we have up our scrub sleeves! Remember, we’re here to provide you with all sorts of support and info to live your best life as a healthcare professional, both in and out of the office.