Do I need a suit???

veegeern, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2006

It really depends on the culture where you want to work. In some areas of the country, almost everyone wear's a suit. In others, almost nobody wears a suit.
In most places where I have lived/workd, suits are not necessary for staff nurse positions. Nice slacks, a dress, or a skirt would be fine -- as long as they had that "neat, clean, professional" look to them. Conservative, no denim, no bare skin, etc. Interviewers (like me) are more interested in your qualifications and in your potential to succeed on the job than in how much money you spent on your clothes. We understand that students don't have much money.
However ... in some areas of the country, most new grads will wear suits because that is what they learned in school. Because it has come to be expected as a cultural norm, then I would recommend that a new grad wear a suit in such places.
So ... assess your local cultural norms. Go with what you find to be the norm for that area.
Good luck,
llg

:yeahthat: Something really important to remember is that you want the interviewer to be able to "see" you in the position for which you are applying. Closed toed/heeled shoes, easy on the make-up, neat hair, avoid wearing perfume...One nurse manager that I know doesn't like to see artificial nails, long nails, or dark nail polish. She also doesn't like to see dangling or large jewelry. She and I live in different regions of the USA. Also I'm in a rural area, and she's in an urban one. Twill pants/dress pants/skirt with a button up blouse would be appropriate in both areas. So ask around. Good luck!

rpv_rn · Jul 3, 2006

http://www.collegegrad.com/jobsearch/15-5.shtml

this link may help op.

i agree that first impressions last a lifetime. dress professionally.

when people ask me how to dress, i tell them wear your best "church clothes."

CHATSDALE · Jul 3, 2006

echo everyone else...be professional....don't look like everything you have own is brand new...i know that most people have clothes that they wear to

a gathering like a casual wedding, a funerl, etc

invest in a manicure...depending on how you wear your hair . maybe a shampoo/set

practice your answers to propable questions be firthright

good luck

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2006

I know plenty of people that do not wear a suit to interviews, but they also have a long history and references and/or live in a part of the country where things are more laid back.

I, personally, wear a suit to interviews, and would advise most new nurses to do so....especially in the "Big City" northeast. It speaks to your professionalism, especially if you haven't much nursing experience. And it also says something about your expectations. In an area like Boston, where there are "clinical ladders", if the manager is looking for someone that has a vested interest in growing and developing as a professional nurse, rather than just a job, the suit says "professional".

A suit is also a good investment.

I do thnk that it is acceptable to wear a short sleeved "nice" blouse underneath, especially if the jacket will not be coming off indoors. Have a good folio with resumes in it, and references, if possible.

I cannot recall if there is a Sym's in Boston...there are in NYC, with relatively inexpensive (Italian made) nice suits in the sale basement. The Filene's basement in Manhattan has nice things, but the one in Boston is not nearly as nice and I do not recall it having suits. I believe that I got one of mine at a consignment store when my finances were low.

weezer123 · Jul 3, 2006

I Think Black Dress Pants, Nice Blouse And Flats Are Perfect.

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2006

Little rule I've heard is that you should dress for your boss's job. IOW, one step better than you think you need to be.

I compromise here in the land of 110 degrees by wearing a short-sleeved suit to the interview.

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Jul 3, 2006

My opinion is what is the person you are going to interview with going to be wearing. If your going to interview with someone in upper management and they are wearing a suit then you probably should as well. If your interviewing with a dept manager who wears scrubs everyday to work then personally wearing a suit is over dressing. No you dont want to show up in jeans and a t-shirt, but for a male like me a nice shirt, slacks, nice shoes and a tie should more than suffice in this situation.

Rj

chasing daylight · Jul 3, 2006

As a recent new grad, I was told to always wear a suit, and it worked for me! I got the position that I wanted, and I bought my suit at target for about $50. :)

Dixielee, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2006

My husband bought 3 beautiful suits at a large thrift store for $5.00 each. One included a vest. You can get dress shirts for a few dollars and a tie for even less.

Women's suits are equally inexpensive. Most folks wear them on a few occasions and then they hang in the closet until you are tired of looking at them and give them away.

My daughter is an interior designer who works with very high end clients and she always dresses beautifully, and inexpensively via thrift store and Old Navy sales.

How many good looking clothes (and some still with tags) have you given away over the years?? Lots if you are like me. So get some return on your investment!

Signed.....the frugal nurse!

Sylv · Jul 3, 2006

Little rule I've heard is that you should dress for your boss's job. IOW, one step better than you think you need to be.
I compromise here in the land of 110 degrees by wearing a short-sleeved suit to the interview.

The last unit manager (RN) that I interviewed with was wearing scrubs and a lab jacket.

Sylv · Jul 3, 2006

I Think Black Dress Pants, Nice Blouse And Flats Are Perfect.

This sounds good to me.

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2006

The last unit manager (RN) that I interviewed with was wearing scrubs and a lab jacket.

But I'll bet she didn't wear that to her interview. :)