Interview attire

[Pmkn10RN]

Hello everyone. I will be interviewing soon for a school nurse job. I work night shift at my hospital and will be leaving work and heading directly to the school for an interview in morning. Would it be inappropriate or looked down upon to wear scrubs(navy) to the interview? I do have my go to interview outfit but I'm not sure I'll have much time to change into it. What would you do?

[kidzcare]

I would not wear scrubs to an interview. My interview outfit was black slacks, a fitted and conservatively cut blouse, and a blazer with low heels.

[OldDude]

If you have the time I would call some of the school nurses in the district you are applying, tell them about your interview and tell them you want to look like them...what is their school attire? And try to model that. Appear like what the district administration is used to seeing. I would suggest changing for your interview. Since you're a nurse I can say this, hopefully without hurting your feelings, but hospitals have smells that come home with you. Not necessarily stinky stuff but just a unique smell that stays on your clothing that could be a distraction or elicit a negative experience in your interviewer. Just my opinion.

[nyy2]

I wore scrubs to my interview, only because I was subbing that day in the district and they told me not to worry about it. But if I were you, I would change into a more interview friendly outfit, even if it is just nice black pants and a nice top..something that would be quick to throw on and go. If you go in scrubs they may not take you as seriously.

Good luck!

[MidLifeRN2012]

I wore a skirt, jacket, low heels and hose to my hospital interview. I would never consider wearing less to an interview.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I will echo those that said you should change. I know it may be a bit of a hassle, but I am a firm believer that at an interview you need to dress for an interview -not for a shift.

[ohiobobcat]

I wore black dress pants, a nice top and a blazer when I interviewed for my school nurse position, but I was coming from home and not work. I was dressed similarly to the administrators and other nurse with whom I interviewed. Guaranteed no one else at that school is wearing scrubs (unless there is more than one nurse there) or interviewed in scrubs, so I would not wear them to interview. Good luck to you!

[OldDude]

I wore a skirt, jacket, low heels and hose to my hospital interview. I would never consider wearing less to an interview.

More good advice...Since there are a lot of good ole boys down here in Texas there's a practice, for men, that can apply to women in making first impressions. Most everybody down here likes cowboy boots....but nobody objects to shoes. If you want to be sure...wear shoes. :)

[Pmkn10RN]

Thank you all for responding! I figured the respectable thing for me to do was to dress up but I just wanted to check to see if I could get out of it . I'll wear black slacks and a nice button down top.

[Farawyn]

I wore scrubs to my second interview because they were accommodating me before work, and they knew I would be in scrubs. I wore a white top, navy pants (ironed!) and my leopard Danskos and they all commented on how "nursey" I looked.

Coming OFF shift, I would change.

Good luck!

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

I think the problem with wearing scrubs is it looks as if you didn't make an effort which is not the first impression you want to make. You can never go wrong dressing up so I'm glad your going to do that!

[schooldistrictnurse]

Be sure to check back in and let us know how the interview goes!