Proper Attire

[Ekklesia]

Just wondering what opinions are concerning proper attire while in nursing school, specifically on non-clinical days (b/c we wear our "scrub uniform").

On non-clinical/didactic days we are to wear "business casual" and (sometimes with a lab coat) and am wondering if a tie is OK or too much? I want to be as professional as possible but don't want to seem like I'm trying "too hard."

A couple of nurses I work with thought I might come off as a "physician wannabe." (Please, no flames).

I'm all for raising the bar on professionalism even with basic appearance. I, for one, do not like scrubs.

What say you?

[vashtee, RN]

I assume because you are thinking of wearing a tie you are male. I do not suggest a tie, because they will get in the way during lab hours. I think no jeans or tennis shoes is a given, and a button-down shirt would be fine.

That being said, some of the students in my class dressed very casually for class. I think it is possible that this made a difference in the way *some* of the instructors viewed them, especially later on during clinicals.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

If you're going to be in the hospital, i.e., doing pt research the day before clinical, then go with corporate casual and a lab coat. No jeans, no shorts, no t-shirts, no sneakers. As you said, dress like a doctor/PA/NP.

For class only, jeans and a t-shirt are fine. I sometimes even wear socks. Sometimes.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Business casual around here usually means a collared shirt, (polo, buttondown) paired with semi-dress pants, eg khakis, chinos, cords (anything non-denim) and dress casual shoes. No sneakers, jeans, or Tshirts allowed. There's nothing wrong with dressing like a professional even while in school. The private university I attended required that we wear a shirt/tie in the morning, business casual in the afternoons to promote an attitude/image of professionalism. While it was uncomfortable at times, once I was out of school, this mode of dress followed me. While I do wear scrubs to work, I always dress business casual for staff meetings, classes, etc. My mother always said that you should dress one step above everyone else, and you'll always stick out as a professional. When I graduate NP school, I plan to wear business/business casual clothes with a lab coat. Who cares if people assume you are a doctor. It's a shame that they assume that if you are dressed nicely that you must be one, and not a nurse. I think sometimes we place comfort above appearance sometimes. Best of luck! PM me if you have any other questions!

Stephen