To Wear Scrubs or To Not Wear Scrubs? That is the question.

[cna23]

Ok, I just called a friend of mine who is a cna, and she told me to wear scrubs at my job interview, because it shows that you are ready to work, and can be possiby trained that same day. Is this a good idea???

[combatmedic]

Am a male nurse, I will be having an interview for an RN position in two days. After reading the post here, I guess I'll be wearing black pants with long sleeve shirt. I was going to wear scrub but not anymore. Thanks nurses wish me best of luck!!!

[DoGoodThenGo]

Where do people get this stuff?

No, one does not show up for a nursing interview wearing scrubs, nor more than would wearing starched whites and a cap.

You wear business formal attire, clean shaven/well groomed, well shod and so forth.

The *only* time one would interview in uniform is if one is currently working and the meeting is taking place before, after or in the break of a shift.

Showing up for an interview in scrubs is like wearing a wedding gown on a first date. Yes, you've got an interview but you haven't closed the deal yet! *LOL*

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Always dress for the job you want.. and go one step above. Wearing scrubs is a ridiculous idea.

Why would take professional advice from a CNA?

Yes they are awesome at what they do.. however, they are NOT considered professionals.

[Creamsoda, ASN, RN]

No. Your not at work. That to me is the most ridiculous idea. If for whatever reason they hire you on the spot and say when can you start? Have a pair of scrubs ready in your car. I don't understand how people think wearing scrubs to an interview is OK.

[DoGoodThenGo]

Will say this; on several occasions in the past when one was working in an office or such did ask if one could "dress down" for an interview, and the potential employer agreeded and understood the method behind my maddness.

There is no sure heads up to one's current employer that one is looking elsewhere than to suddenly start appearing at work "dressed to impress". If one normally runs around in slacks and a sweater suddenly wearing one's Sunday best complete with pearls, handbag and a leather portfolio case is a Scooby-do moment; that is people's ears prick up and go "ummmm"?

Normally tired to do these interviews during lunch or after work so not as to be late (another bad sign, arriving late *and* dressed for an interview", so again many understood.

The old saying that it's easier to find a job when you already have one is quite true in my experience. Not one single interviewer objected to my "attire" and as said from the start they understood why. Even though one is considering other positions ideally you want to leave on your own terms, not give your current employer a reason to kick you to the curb.

[Merlyn]

Suits are for getting the job.

Scrubs are for when you have the job

[sauconyrunner]

No to scrubs. Generally you want to dress in a very "forgettable" way for an interview- in other words, you want something that is appropriate, and will not in any way offend ANYONE. I know, many people want to express themselves....you can always do that AFTER you get the job. I was in a Masters program for Public Health. They actually had a seminar on this for the Health policy people. They spelled out the appropriate colors down to appropriate colors for panty hose and ties and length of heels. It seemed crazy, but someone has studied it. Those people who were tempted to "add a splash of color" in a variety of ways were hired less often. It is only an interview, not the way you have to dress for the rest of time. Good Luck with your Interview!!!!!!

[Dulce29]

Wow always dress professional for the job you want. I am going to school for a CNA but I would never go to a job interview in scrubs , I would also not tell my friend or anybody to go dressed like that.. That is unprofessional advice. But that also don't mean all CNAs are unprofessional .

[thnkr917]

I would agree with everyone else, it would be best to wear interview attire. That being said, I have actually worn scrubs to interviews and gotten the job and no, it was not an in house interview, either. If you really don't have any good interview clothes (gained weight etc) you may be able to get away with it, but why take the chance. The most important thing, however, is that you are clean and groomed and your resume looks good and you are confident and knowledgeable.

I don't thing wearing scrubs is nearly as bad as wearing unprofessional interview clothes, such as wrinkled or ill fitting clothing.

[Farawyn]

This thread is 4 years old.

[Xantee]

Wow, I am surprised at the number of answers that disparage wearing scrubs -- for CNA interview. Let me tell you why.

First, I've been an RN for 23 years. For 8 of those years I have been a manager and have interviewed countless applicants, from nursing assistants, surgical technicians, environmental services technicians, and of course RNs. In my opinion, the way an applicant should dress is scaled to the job they want. You want an executive job? Better come dressed in formal attire. Are you looking for a cleaning job? Office casual is fine, professional attire (whatever you would normally wear on the job) is also fine.

Having said that, scrubs are professional attire for people working in direct patient care. If I have a nurse show up for an interview, showing up in scrubs does not detract from the interview at all; neither would showing up in dressier street clothes. The one style of dress I do tend to hold against somebody is showing up in a t-shirt and jeans or athletic attire. There is an advantage to showing up in scrubs, and it is not putting them to work immediately. If you show up in scrubs, then I will know what you look like in your professional role. When you come in wearing street clothes, I have no idea how well you dress professionally. Some people look like crap wearing scrubs, and some look great, so that's good to know how my patients will perceive you.

Also, and I already mentioned that you scale dress to the job you want. If you want to hire a mechanic, would you expect him to show up for an interview in a suit and tie? Would you penalize him for showing up in mechanic work clothes? Think about that.

Finally, CNAs are some of the lowest paid workers in the healthcare industry. They may not have elegant clothing for a job interview. But if they really want to work, then you can bet they have their professional attire (scrubs) and it should not be held against them to show up for an interview in that.

But hey, what do I know? I've just been interviewing and hiring health care workers for 8 years.

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I will just add this tidbit-- as a new grad I interviewed on 6 different units and they all specifically told me to wear scrubs for the interview as it would be directly followed with a shadow with no time to change. HOWEVER, this was communicated during the initial request for an interview and I'm coming to find it is fairly common now to ask candidates to come to interviews in scrubs (as I interviewed at 3 different hospitals that told me to do this).