Excited about shadowing opportunity but.....what to wear??

Nurses Career Support

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Hi All!

I am super excited about the opportunity to shadow in my top 3 choice areas for a graduate nurse internship. 2 hours in the ER, 2 hours in ICU and 2 hours on an observation unit! Since my application is already in, there's a possiblity of an interview as well (which may also be in my head since no one has said anything about interviewin.g..yet ;)).

Anyway, it's in 2 weeks and I'm confused about what to wear. My former corporate American half is saying to wear business casual and some flat, comfortable shoes. My current nursing student/ER PCT half is telling me to bust out some scrubs and look like the position I want!

I've asked a nurse recruiter at the hospital and I'm waiting to hear back from her but I wanted to see what you guys think. Thanks!:yeah:

op: no one (future co-workers in particular) are really impressed as you think with people who jump in to do dirty things when he/she is trying to get a job. they are used to seeing former and current interns/externs/student nurses/volunteers/new grads doing everything under the sun to be noticed. your future co-workers will be impressed after you have the job and you go out of your way for a patient that is not yours. thus, focus on your future bosses and be dressed for an interview. this means you should also carry a copy of your resume and portfolio at all times, plus use the opportunity to take notes, network, and find out the names and contact information of hiring managers.

ohhhh, i disagree (not about carrying the resume and portfolio everywhere- that's great advice). shadowing is part of the interview- how well you interact with the staff (and patients, within whatever limitations you're under) is part of the decision making process. this is what our school's career office counseled us on, and when i was preparing to shadow at the place that ended up offering me a job, a recent hire i knew through a friend told me that the unit really looks well on shadowers who look for ways to be involved during their shadowing. i took that advice and it certainly didn't hurt because i got the job.

as a new nurse, we have had several students on the floor and i'm *always* appreciative of the ones who really step up. i don't care if they're doing it to get noticed- it works and does make them look good to be proactive and helpful.

i was instructed by the hospital to wear scrubs to shadow. i was expecting a peer interview, and ended up having another interview with one of the managers who wasn't there for the previous interview. if they're doing an impromptu interview on a shadowing day, they're not going to fault you for wearing the clothing that you shadowed in.

OP, glad you were able to get clarification. It makes sense really, to be in nursing attire. Of course!!! Think of the patients. You will be entering patient rooms, etc. If I were a patient, I would expect and be comfortable with someone in scrubs entering my room. But I would not be so comfortable with someone entering my room in street clothes... its a perception thing. Even tho you would be with staff, there you are looking like you just decided to walk in off the street and look at people - kinda feels uncomfortable for the patient.

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I received this from the nurse recruiter today:

I would recommend wearing scrubs and athletic shoes (something comfortable). I know it seems funny to 'dress down' when you are potentially meeting the hiring managers but believe me they will not find it offensive and would rather you be comfortable and better able to fully experience the shadowing opportunity.

So...I guess scrubs it is!

Then there you go! Make sure it's the nicest set of scrubs that you own and that they are clean and wrinkle-free.

I'd also avoid prints and stick with solid colors, but that's my personal preference. But if you're a print fan and they're appropriate for the setting, then go for it!

I have seen this question before. You basically need to ask the facility where you will be and what they expect you to wear.

Specializes in SNF, Med Surg.

I was recently invited to shadow on a floor for which I interviewed and I wore scrubs. Like a previous poster recommended, I would also suggest that you wear solid scrubs and wear your hair up, small earrings, no nail polish (I had just had my nails done and removed my polish because so many places have policies on fake nails/nail polish - I didn't want to take any chances -- look like you are ready to work and that you fit in. Even though you aren't going to be doing any real hands on, direct patient care there are things that you can do -- ask the nurse you are shadowing. I offered to do various things (not trying to suck up in any way - no my personality), because I like to be busy and it is my personality to be helpful -- hired or not. Whatever I did worked, because I got the job (yay, me!!). Also, I agree with "onaclearday" about how wearing business clothes while you are walking in a room with nurse could put the patient off -- perception is right. If you are wearing scrubs and look like a medical professional and the nurse you are shadowing is asking the patient how they are feeling, etc. I believe they are going to be more relaxed and would be more forthcoming in relaying their personal information to you than if you had business clothes on. Just my opinion.

So, I am glad that your facility got back to you and you know what to wear, the only other thing I would do is to bring a positive attitude and be assertive.

If you do meet with the nurse manager after you finish shadowing I would talk with them about things you saw that you liked and how whatever attributes you have could benefit THEM. How you would fit in or they would benefit from employng you because of x,y,z.

Best of luck to you.

Glad you asked the recruiter and got the info you needed.

Hope all goes well for you. :up:

Please, let us know what happens.

Specializes in ED, ICU, MS/MT, PCU, CM, House Sup, Frontline mgr.
shadowing is part of the interview- how well you interact with the staff (and patients, within whatever limitations you're under) is part of the decision making process.

true, if you are told to shadow as part of your interview process. i have yet to have this happen to me, but if this is the case for the op, then yes, he/she should wear scrubs. otherwise, if you choose to shadow for your own benefit, then no, this is not necessarily true.

in general, i appreciate help from anyone, but i do not go out of my way to praise those i do not know to my nurse manager (that puts me at risk if the person turns out to be a bad employee). however, if i know the person outside of the shadowing experience on my unit, then i will take the time to provide praise to the nurse manager. besides, although i have met student nurses who i think are a waste of space, i have yet to meet a shadow or volunteer i did not like so i would not have anything special to say about one vs another.

Specializes in Hospice.

for shadowing you wear scrubs, because you will be around pts and you should blend in. someone in a business suit observing would be uncomfortable for the pt. Good lucK!

Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.
for shadowing you wear scrubs, because you will be around pts and you should blend in. someone in a business suit observing would be uncomfortable for the pt. Good lucK!

I DID think about that before. Working in the ER already as a tech, anyone in a business suit or even business casual definitely stands out. And I was thinking how uncomfortable I would feel..and on the SPOT in business casual. It's one thing if I was just taking a tour. But, 2 hours EACH in THREE areas...So, I'm glad she did say scrubs..lol. :lol2:

Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.
Then there you go! Make sure it's the nicest set of scrubs that you own and that they are clean and wrinkle-free.

I'd also avoid prints and stick with solid colors, but that's my personal preference. But if you're a print fan and they're appropriate for the setting, then go for it!

My next question was going to be...now, what COLOR scrubs should I wear?? :lol2:

I have scrubs for work but I think I'm going to get a nice, new set of SOLID (I think I look ridiculous in prints..lol) scrubs. Nothing too bright but something that will look nice, yet professional on me and gives me confidence :)

Specializes in CTICU/CVICU.

Once again, thanks guys for all of your help! You guys ROCK and I can't wait to tell you guys how it went! 2 weeks to go and counting! :)

Hi Lovelymo79! I noticed you work at Scott & White and I applied for an internship position on STC5. I had a brief phone interview with them and since I will be in Texas this weekend I was asked to go in and shadow on the floor and continue the interview as well. I was told to wear scrubs. But my question is..what is the shadowing experience like? Will I be assigned to one particular nurse? Is it strictly just observation or can I help in some way? I'm a little nervous because ultimately it is the floor nurses who tell the nurse manager "yay or nay" so some tips would be very much appreciated! Thanks!

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