Can Psych NPs wear suits to work?

Jules A, MSN · Oct 28, 2015

Depends on the setting. Wear what the Docs wear. I think our appearance is important. Inpatient I wear business casual with a lab coat, outpatient I wear a pants suit.

PG2018 · Oct 28, 2015

I tend to wear business casual, but you should note the definition of business casual is quite variable. Today I'm wearing slacks and a v-neck sweater with a collared shirt underneath. Yesterday, I wore an open collared, long sleeve dress shirt and slacks. I never wear a tie, and I'm not really comfortable sitting in a jacket. However, sport coats or blazers when it's cool enough are good for me, and that's why I've installed a coat hook on the wall behind my desk. I just have to be mindful of unruly kids getting loose behind my desk touching it with their little Cheetos grubby fingers.

If you're a guy a good suit is expensive, and I'm somewhat against wearing them over and over again if the situation doesn't dictate the need. Bear in mind, I said good suit. You could probably get something off the rack at JC Penney and be fine, but something that fits well and isn't shiny has some cost.

My only downfall is that instead of a nice, "professional" bag I carry a tactical-grade bag. In fact, I ordered a new one a couple days ago to better accomodate the tablet I'm typing on now.

kj954 · Oct 28, 2015

Thanks for ur replys...also what would be a starting salary for a new grad psych np?

PG2018 · Oct 28, 2015

Thanks for ur replys...also what would be a starting salary for a new grad psych np?

Quite variable. I had offers from 70 with standard benefits to 150 with productivity bonuses and benefits. You can guess where I went.

Woks · Oct 29, 2015

psychguy, please where are you staying?

zenman · Oct 29, 2015

This may be a silly questio, but I'm sincerely interested in psych nursing and would like further insight into work environment and work attire specifically. I'm a firm believer in the look your best do your best idealogy. Can psych nps wear suits to work?

Are you kidding me? Donald Trump wears a suit. Psych people, even those with an MBA like me would never think of wearing a suit. That's about as bad as wearing a white coat on an inpatient unit. I mostly wear camping pants with a button up shirt with a front pocket to put my CAC in. On Fridays I wear blue jeans. This reminds me of the idiot manager who wanted staff to wear suits in an inner city community mentor health center. Yea, dress up and make patients feel more like losersâ€¦.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 29, 2015

@zenman - whats a CAC?

Jules A, MSN · Oct 30, 2015

Are you kidding me? Donald Trump wears a suit. Psych people, even those with an MBA like me would never think of wearing a suit. That's about as bad as wearing a white coat on an inpatient unit. I mostly wear camping pants with a button up shirt with a front pocket to put my CAC in. On Fridays I wear blue jeans. This reminds me of the idiot manager who wanted staff to wear suits in an inner city community mentor health center. Yea, dress up and make patients feel more like losersâ€¦.

Really, even those with a MBA? At the teaching hospital where I work we wear white lab coats on the inpatient psych unit like the rest of the providers in the facility. Even my most psychotic patients are cognizant of the fact that I'm a provider and not another patient or some stranger off the street so the lab coat hasn't been a problem. Personally I think dressing professionally shows respect not disdain. My outpatient job is at an upscale clinic and if I didn't wear a suit my largely professional clientele would think I'm the loser.

PG2018 · Oct 30, 2015

Usually means common access card.

PG2018 · Oct 30, 2015

I understand dressing like the patient makes them feel more comfortable. I understand calling them client empowers them. There's a movement to call the consumer.

I want to be a professional clinician, dress like one, and refer to load as patients.

Today, I wore dark denim and another sweaternamd collarednshirt. It's casual Thursday for me, my Friday.

kj954 · Oct 30, 2015

Hmm I guess the best answer to all of these responses would be to assess the enviornment and clientele before dressing up or down...would that be a correct assumption?