Among the many changes that World War I brought to the Navy Nurse Corps was a notable expansion of the uniform outfit. Prior to the conflict, only the white indoor ward uniform was prescribed. Navy Nurses wore civilian clothing in other places. The needs of an expanded service, with regular overseas assignments, brought in the first Nurses' "street" (or outdoor) dress uniforms, as well as standardized outerwear for inclement weather. There were also changes in uniform insignia.

This page features views of Navy Nurses' uniforms during the World War I era.

Other photographs of Nurses and the U.S. Navy, 1917-1919 - Red Cross and Army Nurses' Uniforms.

Textual information on U.S. Navy Nurse Corps General Uniform Instructions, 1917.

For more images of Nurses and the United States Navy during the World War I era, including additional views of Navy Nurses in uniform, see:

• Nurses and the U.S. Navy, 1917-1919
• Group Photographs
• Scenes in Nurses' Quarters
• Scenes on board Ships
• US Naval Hospital Base 5, Brest, France
• Overview & Special Image Selection

Click photograph for a larger image.

Photo #: NH 52976 Navy Nurse Anna Keisur In outdoor uniform, 1918. Note that her uniform collar bears the initials "USR" (representing "United States Reserve"). Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 87KB; 595 x 765
Photo #: 111-SC-47436 U.S. Navy Nurses On board the transport USS George Washington, December 1918. The collars of their coat-capes bear the leaf, acorn and anchor insignia of the Navy Nurse Corps. Photograph from the Army Signal Corps Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 78KB; 580 x 765 Reproductions may be available through the National Archives
Photo #: 80-G-178335 World War I Navy Nurse's Outdoor Uniform This uniform features a coat-cape. The letters "U.S." and an anchor are worn on the collar. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives. Online Image: 58KB; 585 x 765 Reproductions may be available through the National Archives
Photo #: 80-G-180180 World War I Navy Nurse's Uniform Halftone photograph, showing overcoat and hat. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, National Archives. Online Image: 100KB; 455 x 765 Reproductions may be available through the National Archives
Photo #: NH 52975 Navy Nurse Uniforms Photograph taken during World War II, comparing the contemporary outdoor service dress blue uniform (at left) with that of World War I. Courtesy of the Nursing Division, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, September 1962. U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command Photograph Online Image: 81KB; 575 x 765

For higher resolution images see: Obtaining Photographic Reproductions