Interview attire

[kataraang]

I am aware this topic has been presented and discussed numerous times. But there seems to be such variation in peoples' situations.

This is the text from the email: "Please dress in professional business attire (no jeans, athletic attire, shorts, sneakers, sandals, etc.). If you are interviewing for a clinical position you are permitted to wear scrubs."

Elsewhere in the email also included this again:"feel free to wear or bring scrubs as there may be an opportunity to stay for sharetime following your interview"

What is sharetime?

This is so stressful. I've applied to 12 positions and this is my 1st interview offer.

I am just not completely educated on the culture of hospital-based nursing. So I want to see what those with more experience have to say.

Thank you!

[Cat365]

I had to try several styles out before I found any I liked. Then I had to order the shirt because the store didn't stock the style I liked in the color I needed.

[johsonmichelle]

I have an interview that is similar to you coming up, wear interview attire to the interview . Just bring a pair of scrubs with you , the share time is good time to see how the units works and your possible future co workers. Make sure to prepare educated and reasonable questions for the manager of the unit and the people working on the unit. Also observe how co workers interact with each other and patients.

[pluckyduck, MSN, NP]

Dress slacks, collared dress shirt and flats/low heels with minimal makeup and neat hair. I brought my scrubs along with me in a small bag. (Make sure they're neat and not all beat up looking!)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the Interview Advice forum.

[busybeeSN]

Bring scrubs along with you.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Wear a suit and bring along scrubs. If the unit has a particular color bring that color.

[canigraduate]

"Please dress in professional business attire (no jeans, athletic attire, shorts, sneakers, sandals, etc.). If you are interviewing for a clinical position you are permitted to wear scrubs."

This means wear a suit and bring scrubs.

Professional business attire is what the corporate bigwigs wear. Here are some images:

I would only wear scrubs if you look like this in them:

[kataraang, BSN]

I would only wear scrubs if you look like this in them:

Haha that made me laugh! Thanks all of you. I am definitely going business and bringing scrubs. I must sound like such a noob asking silly interview questions. Thank you all for being so understanding of my inexperience.

[LaraRN86]

A nice neutral colored dress and short heels, or a business suit and classic button shirt under.

[haleybaleywaley]

I was recommended by a nursing HR professional to wear a blue suit, white top, simple shoes, minimal make up, hair tied back, and a pearl necklace if possible. Not sure why she was so specific but I have always felt good and confident walking into interviews!

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

Agree. I've always interviewed in a suit, but if I had those directions, I would let them know I brought the scrubs in case they wanted me to get down and dirty.

I wore a suit to my first and only interview for an acute care RN position. I was told while in school and by associates who work in professional settings that wearing a suit sets you apart and says you are serious. I received the job and am working.

In the situation the OP describes, I'd wear a suit and bring scrubs to change into.

As an aside, in the past, when interviewing at SNFs/LTCs as an LVN, I typically wore suit pants, a collared top or nice blouse and a cardigan or sweater. I also received job offers when wearing this.

[kataraang, BSN]

Hey y'all thank you! My interview went phenomenally well. I wore the suit and brought scrubs. It was a very long interview, detailed tour of unit. I am doing shadow tomorrow. I hear shadowing after an interview is a great sign of a job offer as long as I don't screw up shadowing somehow (like being late). My brain is designed to be a night shift nurse but I will adapt to a day schedule I hope shadow day is successful! I'm gonna wear the hospital uniform color even though she said I could wear whatever.