Final answer:
The nursing cap was phased out of the uniform for practical reasons, including the increase of males in the profession, infection control, and hindrance in operating medical equipment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nursing cap disappearing from the student nurse uniform can largely be attributed to practical considerations within the healthcare environment. There are multiple reasons for its decline, including:
- Increase in males within the nursing profession made the cap less relevant, as it was traditionally a female garment.
- The increased risk of infection by resident microorganisms on the nursing cap posed a threat to the sterile healthcare setting.
- As medical equipment became more sophisticated, the nursing cap obstructed functionality and became a hindrance in providing patient care.