how much is it frowned upon to wear scrubs on your interview?

Buggus · Aug 13, 2017

You should always dress to impress in an interview. I've had to do this before and in one situation, I was lucky enough to have a boss that knew I was interviewing and she told me to clock out like 15 min early so I could change into a suit and touch up my hair and makeup and go. In the other situation, I worked my shift, then headed straight to the bathroom and pulled a Superman and was in my suit in 2 minutes. That's really all it takes. Good luck!

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 13, 2017

If you're not leaving yourself enough time to change, what other mishaps might delay you and cause you to miss the interview?

direw0lf, BSN · Aug 14, 2017

Thank you to both - both excellent points. I'll do a superman.

caffeinatednurse, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2017

Just wanted to chime in and say that I wore scrubs to an interview recently. The nurse manager didn't seem to notice (or care). When a nurse commented on my scrubs during a peer interview, I told her that I had an impromptu meeting at work immediately after the interview (which was true). She shrugged and said that a few of her current coworkers wore scrubs to their interview, and seemed fine with it. Oh, and I got the job...so it can be done, although I do think it depends on the unit, the manager, and even the hospital.

If you're going to do it, wear your hair in a neat pony tail or bun. Wear makeup, if that's your thing - if not, then just appear clean and neat. Your shoes should be clean, too.

OyWithThePoodles, RN · Aug 15, 2017

I wore scrubs to an interview right out of nursing school before I passed the NCLEX. My boss at the time would not allow me to leave early to change, I was lucky to get there in time. So I explained and they were completely fine. I was offered the job before walking out of the room.

RNNPICU, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2017

Think about the message you may be portraying.. Scheduling an interview before work is a little risky. You could be sending the message that "I don't have much time for you so I will fit you in when I can" type message, especially if you say you have to go to work after the interview.

Business/ Business-casual type dress unless otherwise indicated is always a better option. It does send a message that you took time for them. It is always better to project a clean professional image.

labordude, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2017

I'm going to respectfully disagree and say that while mileage with some nurses has varied, this is not something that should be done. An interview is partly about displaying professionalism and the generally accepted 'rule' is that one should always be dressed at least one level above the expected dress level of a position they are interviewing for. Obviously if the expected position requires a suit, then one would match and not go above that. I've interviewed many people for many different positions and I hire for fit first, but part of that is how I perceive their professionalism. Since I ensure that my HR people always pass along that for interviews 'professional dress is required', it's also a lesson in how well they can read and follow simple directions.

At the end of the day, wearing professional clothing will never hurt you and scrubs COULD hurt you, so why risk it? Also since interviews last a variable length of time, be careful when scheduling things close to work as other posters have said.

bclark297 · Dec 17, 2017

if you don't want the job or could care less if you get it, yeah you can wear scrubs

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2017

I wore scrubs to my first interview for the company I am currently employed by. (I went to the interview in the middle of the work day, I was a home care nurse/manager at the time.) I was called back to meet with another nursing coordinator, offered that job and then contacted by the General Manager of that office and asked to interview for a different/higher position before I had a chance to respond about the first position. They took me out to lunch to meet with me about the second position and offered me that job on the spot. I don't wear scrubs at my current job but if I get offered interviews for any of the jobs I've recently applied to, I'll be going during my work day. Fortunately my current position is flexible so I can do that.