Tips for looking more professional

Nurses General Nursing

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Looking for tips and advice for students getting ready for the real world (and really all nurses) looking to change their look to something more appropriate to the workforce.

I am thinking I need a shorter, sleeker haircut as I have really curly hair that I have to wear in a ponytail or a bun at clinical which to me does not scream professionalism at all. My face is not flattered by hair tight up.

Also thinking it may be time to scrap the jeans and sweatshirts in class and in the community and maybe time to start to wear a touch of makeup every day. I always seem to run into healthcare professionals at the darndest times and I look like my teenagers.

Any ideas to students and nurses alike lookling to update their appearances?

Thanks everyone!!

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
I've always heard it called 'tacky'.

'Trashy' is another one I've heard...lol....

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I believe this is called "white tailing" as in "Look at that, when she bends over she's white tailing." Totally off topic but know you will know what it means if you hear it.

Never heard it called that - but I have heard it called a whale tail - because the waistband of the thong over the waistband of the pants makes the shape of a whale tail. Not exactly something I'd want said about my rear end - so I keep my UNDERwear UNDER my pants (novel idea, no?)

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Specializes in Medsurg, Tele, ICU.
I've stayed with the original, Bare Minerals (sometimes the makeup line is advertised as Bare Essentuals, I'm not sure why). !

Just FYI, they're the same thing. Bare Minerals is produced by Bare Essentuals. Check and see if you have a Sephora store near you or you can get them on the QVC website. I prefer Sephora, then I don't have to pay for shipping

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Just FYI, they're the same thing. Bare Minerals is produced by Bare Essentuals. Check and see if you have a Sephora store near you or you can get them on the QVC website. I prefer Sephora, then I don't have to pay for shipping

Ah, thanks. There's no store anywhere near me, so I just have them shipped from manufacturer. I pay a few bucks shipping, but I also get free products every other shipment, and the value always exceeds the cost of my shipping for both times, so I figure I'm coming out ahead. :) I get the brushes in the $20-$25 dollar range free, plus other skincare products in big sizes. When I want to try something out for the first time, I pick up a small sample on eBay and it's cheap that way, too.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Working in Psychiatry we wear regular clothing over uniforms to normalize the patients experiences. Originally nurses in Psych wore white and stigma ensued from movies depicting same. I strive to dress well and often wear suits or business attire. I found I have gained respect from my team members, including Psychiatrists and my boss. I look young and need to at times prove my abilities. I once read that a key to success in ones career life is to dress beyond ones position, ie. dress like your boss. For me personally it has served me well. It did include a short haircut. I find it also separates my personal life from my job which is very nice.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

To look more professional--

I LOVE "What Not to Wear" on TLC. To look polished and chic, wear clothes that flatter you, nothing overly trendy or things that look disposable. You can get some really cute things even at Target-- in the isaac mizarahi section and mix those pieces with nicer or more expensive items if need be. I love Banana Republic, Old Navy, Ann Taylor Loft, etc. And New York and Company has phenomenal sales, and also give a AAA discount. Their clothes can easily be dressed up or down, and one side of the store is dressier, more work appropriate, while the other side would be the more casual "weekend wear" items.

I think if you just take a few moments for yourself each day, you will notice a huge difference both in the way you are treated and the way you feel about yourself. Drink plenty of water, exercise, and eat right/take vitamins, and you'll look better from the inside out.

And having long, curly hair... think twice about cutting it short. you may look like a mushroom head (I have extemely thick hair and the same happens). Opt for adding more layers throughout to take out some of the bulk and use a curl cream and mousse to define the curls. clip the parts back that would be in your face. Having short hair is extremely high maintenance and growing it out takes a lot of patience and work.

Last but not least, the most important accessory you can wear is a smile! :nurse:

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
To look more professional--

I LOVE "What Not to Wear" on TLC.

I LOVE this show, too!! It's amazing what great clothes these folks can buy for practically nothing!! Then again, sometime they're WAY above my budget!!

And New York and Company has phenomenal sales, and also give a AAA discount.

I'd never heard of this store before, but turns out they're opening one in my local mall soon......do they give the AAA discount in the stores?!?!

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Wow! I never knew NY & CO gave a AAA discount. Guess I will be bringing my card to the mall from now on!

I also have extensively shopped consignment shops and have got some really great deals. I got a full length Dior black cashmere winter coat for $85.00 once!! The ones I like cater to the upscale. When I used to live in CT I wore the same size as a local newscaster and the shop owner would call me when she made a drop off and I would get the best stuff so cheap!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Yes they do!! I never knew until they asked me if I had certain coupons or stuff they give out and when i said no, she asked if i had my AAA card. last time i was there i saved almost $30 with that! they have a pretty decent website http://www.newyorkandcompany.com but doesn't show everything in the store. but it is pretty affordable, phenomenal sales and the clothes run big so i'm a small where everywhere else i'm a medium or large. always a good thing:)

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
the clothes run big so i'm a small where everywhere else i'm a medium or large. always a good thing:)

Yeah, since I have the OPPOSITE problem, lol....but then it looks like I'm twice your age and then some, lol....thanks so much for the info!!

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Specializes in LTC, med-surg, critial care.
To look more professional--

I LOVE "What Not to Wear" on TLC. To look polished and chic, wear clothes that flatter you, nothing overly trendy or things that look disposable. You can get some really cute things even at Target-- in the isaac mizarahi section and mix those pieces with nicer or more expensive items if need be. I love Banana Republic, Old Navy, Ann Taylor Loft, etc. And New York and Company has phenomenal sales, and also give a AAA discount.

I pretty much agree with everything. Hit up the clearance at Target, it's worth wading through all the stuff to find a nice shirt for $10.99.

And having long, curly hair... think twice about cutting it short. you may look like a mushroom head (I have extemely thick hair and the same happens). Opt for adding more layers throughout to take out some of the bulk and use a curl cream and mousse to define the curls. clip the parts back that would be in your face. Having short hair is extremely high maintenance and growing it out takes a lot of patience and work.

Last but not least, the most important accessory you can wear is a smile! :nurse:

I have thick wavy hair (not the nice wavy, the chaotic wavy) that's way to heavy and hot when long. I get headaches when I wear it in a ponytail for more than three hours when it's long. Short hair gives me a triangle head if I'm not careful. Layers is the key. I recently wacked it off and it's worth the effort. ;)

hair.jpg

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Being professional is important.. I live in a VERY small town.. and Dr's/ Nurses/ Techs/ and other hospital employees are always spotted in our little town. Nobody wants to see the Nurse that was just taking care of one of their relatives the day before, in a grocery store looking like crap. It brings the hospital a bad image.

It does not take much to look well groomed.. shower, do your hair.. make up if you need it. You can wear things like Jeans and T-shirts.. you dont have to go all out and spend every dime on this expensive wardrobe... just dress yourself up.. even if it is just some danty little ear rings or a nice belt, cute shoes or pumps... and no matter wear you get your jeans from, Wally world, Mall or dollar store.. take them to the cleaners and have them altered for the perfect fit. Its a really inexpensive way to give you that nice well groomed polished style.. comfy but not that "just rolled out of bed and tossed on whatever was laying on the floor next to me" look

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