My Mom was a nurse. Her cap was actually a heavy piece of cloth in the shape of a rectangle with small convex curve on one long edge. She would heavily starch it and then shape it into the proper cap shape for her school. Different schools had different style caps. I think nursing students still have pin ceremonies, but I don't think they do caps anymore. My Mom was from the day of dresses only and white from head to toe. If you find a cap today that's stitched together, it may not be authentic.