Bad move to interview in your scrubs?

[newtress]

I have an interview in the morning and then have to slide directly to work. Is is totally and completely unprofessional to do the interview at a hospital in scrubs. Most likely answer will be no. I didn't want to have to do the quick change artist in bathrooms thinking about how limited my time will be. Yay or nay on that.

[nurseladybug12]

I think you should dress business casual, make the effort to dress to impress and show that you care about the job you are interviewing for. And if they know you are heading in to work and you're still dressed up, then it'll show that you cared about how you presented yourself. Maybe scrubs would make them feel as if you're only squeezing them in and rushing through the interview, and they might feel rushed too knowing you have somewhere to be right afterwards.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I have had interviews where I was told in advance that I was going to shadow immediately after the interview and they specifically told me to wear scrubs. That would be just about the only instance I would wear scrubs to an interview. Otherwise, it's a suit and tie. It is true that the interviewer may be fine with scrubs if you tell him/her that you are going to work right after the interview. On the other hand, they may not. The person they interview after you might "dress up" even though they are going to work right after their interview. Why take the chance that you could shine a negative light on yourself? I say dress to impress.

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

Time constraints made it impossible for me to change out of scrubs for an interview. I allowed HR to set the time for the interview. I wanted the job so bad I agreed to the time knowing it would be a problem.

Showed up looking less than my best, and still got the job.

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Never show up for an interview in scrubs after your current shift.

[kabu]

I've been told you can go in scrubs and be ready to work. I would prefer to interview in scrubs, but I believe it depends on who you are dealing with - big facility, little facility, rural versus urban, and the personnality of the interviewers. But how are you to know. I agree with your comment and the below comment. Use discretion. I always fear I'm going to over professionalize my dress and look better and more professional than the interviewee, so I tend towards business casual attire.

[tewdles, RN]

I haven't read all of the responses.

I have interviewed in scrubs, once, because it was completely unavoidable.

I let the prospective employer know in advance that I would be wearing my work scrubs and why.

Don't sweat it too much, IMHO.

Good luck.

[SDALPN]

I've had interviews that were scheduled on a day I was working. As I scheduled my interview I informed the person scheduling the interview that I would be going to work right after and would need to wear scrubs. I've never had a problem. They have all been understanding. It may even look better since you are showing you have a job and aren't unemployed. Good luck!

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

... It may even look better since you are showing you have a job and aren't unemployed...

Exactly.

And they'll get to visualize how you're gonna look when you're on the job. So make sure you look professional.

Odds are in your favor, methinks!

[green34]

I wouldn't. I have interviewed before and changed into my school scrubs right afterwards. I don't really see why people would schedule interviews so close together. Also, with most facilities shift change would be a time when they wouldn't have an interview slot unless they had a person not involved in patient care like HR doing the initial interview.

Not to mention that some of our patients aren't exactly fresh and I never know what my scrubs may smell like. I also do not know what bacteria could be on my scrubs. Scrubs get stuffed into a plastic bag in my bookbag after work to be washed. I don't wear dirty scrubs home. I would be willing to bring scrubs to change into afterwards but I would never schedule an interview right after work.

[SDALPN]

Green34, have you ever thought that the interview was before work and that the scrubs are clean. And work is not always at a facility. I work as a PDN and our schedules are very random. I also work 6 or 7 days a week with 8-16 hour shifts. So if I choose to take another job I would have to fit it in my schedule. It would only make sense to schedule am interview before work in that situation. I'm sure I'm not alone. Maybe the OP is in a similar situation with their schedule. If an employer had a problem with me making time for them in my busy schedule and wearing scrubs...I wouldn't want to work for that employer anyway. Another situation could be a nurse that works more than one job.

If I were hiring someone, I'd be most concerned that the nurse was competent. I would also make sure they were clean.

When I have worn scrubs to interviews, I've always made sure the scrubs are my best and aren't distracting to the interviewer. I also choose scrub colors that would be appropriate colors if I had dressed up.

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

... I don't really see why people would schedule interviews so close together. Also, with most facilities shift change would be a time when they wouldn't have an interview slot unless they had a person not involved in patient care like HR doing the initial interview.

Not to mention that some of our patients aren't exactly fresh and I never know what my scrubs may smell like...

Not sure you're understanding all the possibilities / needs of every one involved.

The interview that got me my current spot occurred at 5:45 am. It was with the DON, who wanted to get me in ASAP. So we booked it very early to allow me to spend time with her, before commuting to my prior employment.

Also, nearly all DONs don't perform regular clinical care.

At the start of all my shifts, my scrubs are sparkling clean, "fresh," and professional in their appearance.

Hope this helps clarify some of the points raised in this thread.