Gloves
Gloves may be required when there is a risk of contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes, non-intact skin or contaminated items. Follow local policy and change gloves when required.
NurseNet Clinical Skills
PPE in Nursing for Student Nurses
Learn how personal protective equipment supports infection prevention, how PPE is selected according to risk and why correct putting on, removal and disposal are essential for safer patient care.
Common PPE
01
Gloves
Used when indicated by the exposure risk.
02
Aprons and gowns
Protect clothing and skin from contamination.
03
Masks and respirators
Selected according to the respiratory exposure risk.
04
Eye and face protection
Protect against splash or spray exposure.
05
Hand hygiene
Still essential before and after PPE use.
Infection prevention
What is PPE used for?
Personal protective equipment is used to reduce exposure to blood, body fluids, respiratory secretions and other potential sources of contamination during patient care.
PPE should be selected according to the task and the anticipated risk. It is not necessary to wear every type of PPE for every patient interaction.
Student nurses should learn to assess the risk, choose the required protection and use it in the correct way without allowing PPE itself to become a source of contamination.
PPE is one part of infection prevention. It does not replace hand hygiene,
aseptic technique, environmental cleaning or safe clinical practice.
Choosing PPE
Match the protection to the risk
The correct PPE depends on the procedure, expected exposure and local infection-prevention guidance.
Aprons and gowns
Aprons or gowns can help protect clothing and skin when contamination or splash is anticipated. The level of coverage should match the risk.
Masks and respiratory protection
Masks or respirators may be required for particular procedures or infection risks. Use the type specified by local guidance and training.
Eye and face protection
Eye or face protection may be required when splashes, sprays or droplets could reach the eyes, nose or mouth.
If you are unsure which PPE is required, check the local policy or ask an
appropriately qualified member of staff before beginning the procedure.
Before putting PPE on
Prepare before you start
Good preparation reduces contamination risk and prevents you from interrupting care to find missing equipment.
Assess the task
Think about the patient interaction, the procedure and the likely exposure before selecting PPE.
Check local guidance
Isolation precautions and infection risks may require specific PPE beyond routine practice.
Gather equipment
Make sure you have all required PPE and clinical equipment before starting patient care.
Perform hand hygiene
Clean your hands at the appropriate moment before putting on PPE.
Check fit and integrity
PPE should fit correctly, be intact and be used in accordance with training and manufacturer guidance.
Explain to the patient
Where appropriate, explain why PPE is being worn so that it does not create unnecessary anxiety or communication barriers.
Putting on PPE
Use the sequence required in your clinical area
The exact order can depend on the PPE combination and local guidance. Follow the procedure you have been taught.
1
Perform hand hygiene
Begin with clean hands before touching and applying PPE.
2
Apply body protection
Put on the required apron or gown using the method specified locally.
3
Apply respiratory or facial protection
Fit the required mask, respirator or eye protection according to local training and the clinical risk.
4
Apply gloves if required
Gloves should be used only when indicated and should not be allowed to contaminate clean equipment or surfaces.
During patient care
PPE can become contaminated
Wearing PPE does not make your hands or clothing automatically safe. The equipment should be treated as potentially contaminated once used.
- Avoid touching your face or adjusting PPE unnecessarily.
- Do not touch clean equipment with contaminated gloves.
- Change gloves between tasks when required.
- Never move directly between patients in the same disposable PPE unless specifically directed by local policy.
- Replace damaged or heavily contaminated PPE.
- Continue to follow hand hygiene and aseptic principles throughout care.
Removing PPE
Removal is a high-risk moment for contamination
PPE should be removed carefully because the outer surfaces may be contaminated.
Do not rush the removal process.
Follow the local removal sequence, avoid contact between contaminated PPE and your skin or clothing, dispose of items in the correct waste stream and perform hand hygiene at the required stages.
1
Remove contaminated items carefully
Avoid touching the contaminated outer surfaces wherever possible.
2
Dispose of PPE correctly
Use the waste stream and disposal method required by local policy.
3
Perform hand hygiene
Clean your hands at the points specified in the local PPE removal process.
4
Report any exposure
If you believe contamination or occupational exposure has occurred, seek advice and follow the organisation's reporting procedure.
Common mistakes
What should student nurses avoid?
Wearing gloves for everything
Gloves should be based on risk. Unnecessary glove use can increase waste and encourage poor hand hygiene habits.
Using PPE instead of hand hygiene
PPE never removes the need for appropriate hand hygiene.
Touching phones and pens
Contaminated gloves can transfer microorganisms to frequently handled objects and equipment.
Removing PPE too quickly
Poor removal technique can transfer contamination onto hands, clothing or surrounding surfaces.
Ignoring damaged PPE
Torn gloves or poorly fitting protection may no longer provide the intended level of protection.
Following habit instead of risk
PPE choices should reflect the task and exposure risk rather than simply copying what was worn during a previous procedure.
Student nurse focus
How to become confident with PPE
Confidence comes from understanding the risk behind the PPE choice, rather than memorising one fixed set of equipment.
- Ask what exposure risk the PPE is protecting against.
- Learn the putting-on and removal sequence used in your placement area.
- Practise removal slowly during training or simulation.
- Notice when gloves need to be changed during a task.
- Keep hand hygiene central to every PPE interaction.
- Ask for help whenever isolation or respiratory precautions are unfamiliar.
Safe PPE practice is not about wearing the most equipment. It is about
choosing the right protection, using it correctly and avoiding contamination.
Next clinical skill
Next: Standard Infection Control Precautions.
The next NurseNet guide brings hand hygiene, PPE, environmental safety and other infection-prevention principles together into one practical framework.
Continue to infection control