Interview Attire for NP Position

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Hi all. I am wondering what the best outfit is to wear to an interview for a nurse practitioner position. I currently have a black blazer and black pants that I use for interviews but I am wondering if I should get a full suit for a nurse practitioner interview. The stores in my area - especially for women - are very limited when it comes to full suits so I am wondering if I can get away with the blazer or if I should get something more professional. Thanks!

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I never go to an interview without a suit and tie.

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1 hour ago, djmatte said:

I never go to an interview without a suit and tie.

Lol well I prefer skirts over ties ?

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1 hour ago, OncRN2015 said:

Lol well I prefer skirts over ties ?

I mean it is 2019. You can wear whatever you prefer to identify with!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Yeah - I don't own dresses. I usually go in dress pants and nice blouse. I don't own a blazer either....

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For a male - always a suit and tie. So whatever the female equivalent would be.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

For a female - a formal suit is not necessary, but dress slacks, skirt, or a nice business-type dress with a matching or coordinating blazer or dressy sweater/cardigan. I call it "dressy business casual." For examples, you can look at J Jill, Lands End, or Chico's. If you can, see what the providers wear - if they are wearing formal business attire, then that is what you need to wear for the interview.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Research the norm in the area. I moved to SF from the Midwest and on my interview ten years ago not realizing how relaxed this side of the West Coast is, I wore a suit and tie which was the norm in the Midwest. Here, I've seen male and female NP's come for interview in business casual and get hired. Residency interviews, however, stay very traditional with dark suits for both male and female applicants.

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

It is ok and in fact generally expected to be a little dressier for an interview than one would be on the job. Wearing a formal suit is better than dressing too casually. If there is the possibility of doing some shadowing, you might want to bring some more comfortable clothes or scrubs along with a lab coat and have them handy. Good luck!

As a female, my usual interview attire is a black dress slack and matching dress cardigan from J Jill Wearever collection - you can see online. These are knit and very soft, drapey, and comfortable, but look dressy. I wear a nice top underneath. Closed toe shoes or dress boots with a sensible heel height in case you have to so some walking. Other options I like are a nice skirt instead of the slacks or a nice tailored sheath dress with a blazer or dressy cardigan with dress pumps or boots. Make sure your nails are clean and not too long, no polish or clear or French manicure only. Nice neat hair and don't wear too much makeup. I like to wear some simple small ear rings and that's it for jewelry, along with a nice watch. Have a nice tote bag or brief case and a nice purse or just put your purse stuff in the tote or briefcase (I just use a mini purse and stick that in my briefcase). No facial tattoos or piercings!

The above type of outfit is not expensive if you buy things on sale and every professional should have at least one good interview outfit.

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