Interview Attire? Suit or no Suit...that is the question...

[RiverRunner]

Fellow L & D RNs-

I have an interview with the Nurse Manager on an L & D floor on Tuesday. I am wondering if it is appropriate to wear a suit. I am worried about being overdressed, but I also realize the importance of portraying the profession of nursing professionally. I would appreciate your input.

Thanks so much!

MN RN:specs:

[Jolie, BSN]

As a former nurse manager, it is my opinion that a suit is always the preferred dress for an interview.

If you don't have one, and don't have the time/money to buy one, a nice skirt and blouse would be my next suggestion. with a pant suit a distant third.

I don't think it is possible to overdress for a professional interview.

Good luck!

[SmilingBluEyes]

A suit would make a nice impression. Just curious are you a male?

[RiverRunner]

Nope, female. I have been working in public health for the last three years. When I sit in on interviews and someone comes in wearing a suit, they do look a bit out of place. I respect that a hospital is a much different environment with different expectations/norms. Thanks for input.

[Dolce, RN]

I once sat in on an interview where the candidate wore--get this--jeans with holes in the knees. This was for a RN position in the ER. I just thought it was so unbelievably unprofessional. There is nothing wrong with putting forth a college effort and looking very professional. You show the interviewers that you are serious about the job when you dress well.

[PICNICRN, BSN, RN]

I think much depends on the part of the country where you live. When I lived in Chicago, it was much more "formal"- always a suit for an interview and for inservices/committee work ect -nice skirt or slacks. When I moved out west, it seems to be more casual. I rarely see anyone wearing a suit to an interview for a hospital RN position- just nice pants or a skirt. However, I do not believe you could ever be overdressed for an interview.

[Iam46yearsold]

I jump on any excuse there is for a reason to dress up very nicely. That just makes feel so much better.

[Nurse Salt]

I recently interviewed for a position in L&D and wore navy blue dress slacks, a white camisole and a coral cardigan. I kept jewelry simple, carried a nice hand bag and wore beige pumps. I remember hearing once how interviewers pay close attention to the small details (the condition of shoes/handbags and fingernails) because if one has ratty shoes and unmanicured hands it says something about their attention to detail. In my experience, this has always proved true and when I was in charge of hiring, I always kept thins in mind... Good Luck, just think tasteful and pay attention to detail!

P.S. I got the job!

[Barkow]

I echo the advice that it definitely depends what part of the country you live in. A suit would be a bit much in the rural hospital where I work, but wearing one would certainly never hurt your chances. Good luck!

[babyktchr, BSN, RN]

In the interviews I have conducted over the past few weeks, I have seen a rare suit. Black pants and a blouse have been the uniform of choice.

[oslogirl]

You cannot go wrong with a suit. It conveys professionalism. Good luck on the interview!

[oslogirl]

I once sat in on an interview where the candidate wore--get this--jeans with holes in the knees. This was for a RN position in the ER. I just thought it was so unbelievably unprofessional. There is nothing wrong with putting forth a college effort and looking very professional. You show the interviewers that you are serious about the job when you dress well.

Shaking my head. What a dumb thing to do!