Look the part

Scrubs are the official uniform of nursing. And while they are practical, comfortable, and seem to serve many functions for us throughout the shift, there always comes a time when you need to look the part in a different way.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned indirectly throughout nursing school it’s that while we are a profession, we’re still struggling in many ways to be accepted everyone else in this role and really establish roots in the professional world.

So despite the assortment of colored and decorated scrubs that line our drawers and closets, I’ve learned that every professional nurse needs a business suit. If you don’t use it for anything else, get it for your job interviews. One instructor even told us “I don’t care if you buy it, wear it, leave the tag on and return it the next day, but wear a suit to your interview.”  Yes, it was a joke, but you need to look spiffy, presentable, and professional. You’ll blow them away with your first impression if you walk in looking confident and cool in your new suit.

And let me tell you, I could feel the energy just from dressing up in mine! While it’s an exciting feeling, there’s also a seriousness to it. Knowing that you’re taking on that professional role of nursing as well. You never know when you might need to make a presentation or attend a conference some day, and you’ll have that suit tucked away in the back of your closet, ready to dress you up.  Scrubs are what we wear on the floor, but when we’re presenting ourselves off the unit, we’re not only representing ourselves as nurses (or future nurses) but as professionals of nursing practice – make sure you look the part!