Can I wear my scrubs to an interview?

nbsublime · Jul 14, 2013

Good question! At my last interview I was scheduled to interview for a different position at my hospital during my shift. Apparently it happens all the time for those of us who work first so people often go in scrubs. Its dedication darling. Good luck!

LiteCandles · Jul 14, 2013

I don't see an issue with it, I'd just apologize and explain when you get there.

arnwest · Jul 14, 2013

We were told for RN interviews absolutely not to wear scrubs. They said they'd be happy to point us to a changing room before the interviewed us. This is all from our HR dept to my class in nursing school.

green34 · Jul 14, 2013

I would never dress like that for an interview. I also would ask if I could interview another date if I had class that day. It will be your choice. You may lose points. One thing to consider is changing in a bathroom and bringing your lab clothes into the interview. I have done this.

Editorial Team / Admin · Jul 14, 2013

If your interview on Monday is so close to your lab that the few minutes it would take to change clothes would make you late, how would the interviewer running late not also make you late? It may behoove you to reschedule the interview so that there is no chance of being late to lab and then you don't need to worry about appropriateness of scrubs at an interview.

Morainey, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2013

Nope. The only time I've worn scrubs for an interview is when I was casually pulled off the floor as a PCT to interview for my RN position. I had a feeling I would be interviewed that day, so I wore newer, more stylish scrubs, but they were still scrubs. It's too late to reschedule - and that looks bad - I'd just change after your interview.

uhohbube · Jul 14, 2013

For those of you who said pick a different day....dont you think I would try? The only days she had available was Monday and Tuesday and I was the first she called so she gave me the first choice. And the hours she told me on both days I either had class or lecture and I am not allowed to miss either. So she told me she could squeeze me in a bit earlier. I am not rescheduling as these were the only two days available.

I guess I will just bring my scrubs in my purse and hurry and change in the bathroom right after the interview.

bluedove1 · Jul 14, 2013

Or wear scrubs part of scrubs under dress....in times of need you think outside the box....scrub pants are thin...put those puppies on and roll them up....no more wrinkled than carrying in your purse and the scrub top.. Sit in back of car and wear one piece dress you can easily lift over head. Just hope interviewer is on time....good luck...it will work out for you...if I had to choose one to be late to I would choose lecture rather than clinical cause late for clinical is auto sent home late for lecture just eye roll from professor

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Jul 14, 2013

I wouldn't wear scrubs to an interview unless specifically told to.

BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2013

Could you call and explain that you have lab directly and just ask if it would be ok? I think hearing it beforehand, as opposed to being surprised by it, could make it work. I know when I have been in the position to interview people, knowing ahead of time would have made me ok with that situation. One time while working in a medical office I had applied for an office manager position and was called and asked to come in the same day. I politely explained that I wasn't dressed appropriately for an interview (not horrible, just much more casual than an interview would merit). The owner said it was no problem and they would love to speak with me. I ended up with the job and I do think telling her before gave her the chance to give me "permission". Good luck!

ambitiousBSN · Jul 14, 2013

Could you call and explain that you have lab directly and just ask if it would be ok? I think hearing it beforehand, as opposed to being surprised by it, could make it work. I know when I have been in the position to interview people, knowing ahead of time would have made me ok with that situation. One time while working in a medical office I had applied for an office manager position and was called and asked to come in the same day. I politely explained that I wasn't dressed appropriately for an interview (not horrible, just much more casual than an interview would merit). The owner said it was no problem and they would love to speak with me. I ended up with the job and I do think telling her before gave her the chance to give me "permission". Good luck!

This is what I was thinking as well! When I interviewed for my previous job, I left another job to go to my interview- and told the nurse I interviewed with that I would be leaving work and asked if it would be okay I came to my interview in my scrubs. She was perfectly okay with it. Like the above comment said, I agree that it helps to ask so that they have a heads up what to expect. :-)

Good luck!