Published Jan 24, 2008
mitch8lem
87 Posts
I am graduating with my RN this May so I will be getting ready for interviews shortly. Wondering if I need to wear a suit or if a shirt with tie and khakis will be enough. I will be applying and hopefully interviewing at large level I trauma centers in Minneapolis/St Paul,MN for ICU positions if that makes any difference. please let me know. Thanks for any replies.
GoBucks RN
10 Posts
Mitch,
I chose to wear Dockers, and nice short (or long) sleeve shirt,
and a sweater vest.
I had 3 interviews before I chose a job, and all 3 places I interviewed
I was offered a job.
(Maybe most importantly...I WAS COMFORTABLE!!!!)
So take that for what it's worth.
Best of Luck!
Go Bucks
RN1989
1,348 Posts
Nice shirt, nice pants, dressier shoes (no tennies), and tie/sweater. Prefer long sleeves to short sleeves if wearing a tie. If you ever interview for management I would suggest a full suit. Don't be tempted to wear scrubs or more casual attire. I never hired anyone that showed up for any interview wearing such casual clothing. I want to believe that you take the job seriously and will do what is needed to get and keep the job - going the extra mile to look professional goes a long way with me.
locolorenzo22, BSN, RN
2,396 Posts
I second that....but when I was in management...wearing a suit went a long way...I always thought "here's somebody who put time into how he looked for me....Tended to be better than tennis shoes and a polo....although that was just on first impression...some of the suits didn't know much.
GilaRRT
1,905 Posts
Wear a suit and tie. Look like a professional and look like you care about getting the job.
Inland18mempiree
30 Posts
Just show up and have a pulse. They need you way more than you need them. Just wear a plain long sleeve shirt, some nice khakis, and shoes and youll be set. there's not way you'll disqualified for what youre wearing if that hospital REALLY needs the help. hope this helps.
Nancy4u
1 Post
I feel the person who is going to give an interview should dress formally for a good impression; so here i would like to suggest to Wear a black pant, a white shirt and a dark maroon tie... that's my favorite.
One good site that my friend suggested me helped me with around 15 different types on how to tie a tie
Now, I am aware of 15 different ways of how to tie neckties. :)
ZippyGBR, BSN, RN
1,038 Posts
suit and tie unless it;s for a job in the facility you already work in and in working hours when uniform would be acceptable /approrpaite
RN4NICU, LPN, LVN
1,711 Posts
Show up with an attitude like this poster describes and you're likely to leave without a job offer, no matter what you are wearing. Many hospitals are not as desperate as some people would like to think. After all, there is more than one person graduating in May.
Originally Posted by Inland18mempiree
"Show up with an attitude like this poster describes and you're likely to leave without a job offer, no matter what you are wearing. Many hospitals are not as desperate as some people would like to think. After all, there is more than one person graduating in May. ;)"
Update: I interviewed with 4 different hospitals and guess what? I was offered jobs at all 4. Like I said before, do you honestly think you'll be turned away for what you're wearing? That is such a snotty approach to things. Of course you can't show up in your saturday clothes. Wearing a suit to an interview to be a floor nurse is way overdone. Times have changed. Like I said, khakis, decent shoes, and decent shirt will take you far. And if you ARE turned down a job because the interviewer didn't approve of your attire, then do you really want to work at a facility like that?
Antikigirl, ASN, RN
2,595 Posts
I field the particular facility that I am applying for frankly...if it is a larger organization and I will be in competion with many folks...out comes the suit (for me a skirt suit), or even just a bit over 'dressy casual".
If it is a smaller place, I dress dressy but not overdone. Nice pant outfit (or skirt), in soothing colors that give an air of comfort (vs blacks or reds...those are a bit standoutish to some folks...I save those for more corporate facilities).
In a small clinic...again just dressy casual because I don't want to go into a facility looking like I am overqualified or overbold.
It just depends on the type of facility. I never wear scrubs or very casual attire...that just makes you look like your to lazy, or even not very serious...or don't have work ethics by not dressing nicely for your interviewers time!
I am "selling" my services to a company at an interview...so I just do a bit of research to present myself for that particular facility!
I once wore a suit for a small clinic...presented a resume...had a briefcase and all. Those folks DIDN'T hire me because I looked like I would come in and change things, or be far too outspoken for their clinic. In essence...just bringing in the resume intimidated them (basically I learned right then and there it was not a place I wanted to work for!!! If they are intimidated by a resume???)...so it pays to do a bit of prework :).