Hello everyone! I just got my acceptance letter for the Middle Georgia State College Spring '15 BSN program a few days ago. I have a mandatory orientation the third week of December and I'm pretty nervous. I was hoping that someone out there could advise me on what to expect and definitely WHAT TO WEAR. I want to be sure that I am fully prepared and appropriately dressed for this. This is the first topic I've posted, so I hope to get a response!
A bigger way to make a great first impression is to have all the required forms completed and documentation!
The forms are expected/required. You are not going to make a first impression by having you forms in order--you have them and you stay; you don't--you leave. Attire, however, is something you are judged on.
Also, you created a dilemma where none exists. It is not "have your forms with you or dress professionally." You can do both--and a new student should!
Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.
No one wore anything special to my nursing school orientation as far as I can remember. I wore jeans and a t-shirt and did not feel the slightest out of place. Looking back, I can honestly say that it didn't make a bit of difference whatsoever. None.
The forms are expected/required. You are not going to make a first impression by having you forms in order--you have them and you stay; you don't--you leave. Attire, however, is something you are judged on.
Also, you created a dilemma where none exists. It is not "have your forms with you or dress professionally." You can do both--and a new student should!
Yes, ideally, but 75% of my cohort didn't have the forms done. It was sad. Even with the threat of getting kicked out...but the school didn't follow through with that.
I didn't say it was one or the other. In my program, having the forms/info was more important than dress. I do agree that dressing nicely is only going to be beneficial.
I honestly don't get the "dress to impress" idea for orientation. I use to be an executive assistant for a nursing administration department for a well known hospital. I know all about dressing to "look the part" but for orientation I don't see anything wrong with a nice pair of jeans and clean pressed polo or blouse.
From what I been reading on these boards a lot of students fail out of the program and never make it to the end. If a student that came to orientation dressed in their best "business casual" attire, fail out the program, will the professor think "Wow I had so much hope for them because they were dressed really nice at orientation". i don't think so.
A great student will be a great student no matter what attire you wear. You want to keep it presentable and clean but I honestly don't think they will be worried about if you wore jeans or slacks to orientation. They will be more focused on whether you will make a great nurse and pass the NCLEX and that will only happen after you start taking classes and proving yourself through your commitment and grades.
Business casual. I always overdress when in doubt. Better to feel awkward because you look nice and professional than awkward because you look like you walked in from the mall.
My hospital orientation was a week & 1/2. First day I wore slack and a blouse...lots of people were in scrubs so after that I wore mine as well. Way more comfy :)
psu_213, BSN, RN
3,878 Posts
The forms are expected/required. You are not going to make a first impression by having you forms in order--you have them and you stay; you don't--you leave. Attire, however, is something you are judged on.
Also, you created a dilemma where none exists. It is not "have your forms with you or dress professionally." You can do both--and a new student should!