New CNA Job... What should I wear!?!

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hello fellow CNA's, Students, and Nurses,

I have my very 1st day of orientation on Friday at a long-term care facility. I am a nursing student and a mom of two boys :) and got a casual job. I'll only have to work 2 shifts a month plus whatever else I have time to pick up.

My question is, what should I wear? Scrubs of course, but does it really matter about the print ect.? I took my CNA class and wore a floral top and got a lot of looks, possibly because I was a student. I just want to make sure their isn't some etiquette I'm not aware of.

Thank you!

Yes. I have been a aide for 4 years and wearing scrubs that have flowers prints probably would be fine. Some jobs have required colors to wear just check with your job.: )

Specializes in LTC.

Is this a filling-out-forms orientation day, or will you actually be on the floor?

If your new job requires certain colors they probably would have told you already so any scrubs should be fine. I don't think there's any "etiquette" regarding what to wear on your first day. I honestly have never given a single thought to what a new person is wearing unless they show up in the school colors (there is only one CNA school around here), and then I know they're fresh out of school but that doesn't matter to me either; it's just an observation.

I never wore all black scrabs. It was either a black top with colored bottoms. Or black bottoms with a colored top. I always felt like the angel of death if I wore all black. Wear happy colors/print to help put your residents in happy more upbeat moods. When I was a CNA in LTC I had these white shoes that had colorful stars on them (I was 19 lol) and it always would give them something to talk about. I often got memories from their childhood from the 4th of July. ^_^

Congratulations on landing a job! Best wishes to you.

At the LTCF I worked at, there was an unofficial dress code where STNAs all wore print tops while nurses wore solids. I went out and bought a bunch of solid tops prior to discovering this. Beware of unofficial dress codes.

Hello fellow CNA's, Students, and Nurses,

I have my very 1st day of orientation on Friday at a long-term care facility. I am a nursing student and a mom of two boys :) and got a casual job. I'll only have to work 2 shifts a month plus whatever else I have time to pick up.

My question is, what should I wear? Scrubs of course, but does it really matter about the print ect.? I took my CNA class and wore a floral top and got a lot of looks, possibly because I was a student. I just want to make sure their isn't some etiquette I'm not aware of.

Thank you!

The looks may have been because in most classes that I have researched and the one I attended have a dress code and they require you to wear some type of solid color top and white pants and shoes. :)

I never wore all black scrabs. It was either a black top with colored bottoms. Or black bottoms with a colored top. I always felt like the angel of death if I wore all black. Wear happy colors/print to help put your residents in happy more upbeat moods. When I was a CNA in LTC I had these white shoes that had colorful stars on them (I was 19 lol) and it always would give them something to talk about. I often got memories from their childhood from the 4th of July. ^_^

Agreed, I tend to prefer cheerful colors and prints. And I wear colored and patterned socks, and my shoes tend to be out there, too - I have Alegria mary janes in grey leopard and metallic gold, pink Birkis, and pink and grey New Balances. It gives the residents something to giggle at. :)

BUT, if I were you, I'd call first and ask them about their dress code. That way you know for sure before you buy anything.

Specializes in LTC.

I wear all black sometimes. But when I do, I always wear colorful socks and a sparkly headband or something else with color.

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