Making a good first impression on your first day of work can set the tone for the rest of your employment. If you work in the healthcare field as a nurse, dental or optometric assistant, or home care worker, wearing the right scrubs sets you up as a professional and can garner respect from your new colleagues and superiors. Follow a few helpful guidelines to ensure you choose women’s scrubs and accessories that will help you make a favorable impression that your employer and coworkers will remember.
High-Quality Scrub Tops
Although your new employer is probably more interested in your abilities than your fashion sense, wearing an outfit that makes you feel comfortable and attractive can help boost your confidence and alleviate your nerves. This way, when you arrive at your new job, you can focus on providing the best care for your patients instead of worrying about how your scrubs look.
Wearing high-quality scrub tops to work, especially on your first day, ensures you feel confident and ready to take on new challenges. Modern scrubs avoid the boxy, shapeless look of scrubs past in favor of tapered shirts that flatter your natural shape. These scrubs also have accessible pockets where you can keep small medical tools you use throughout the day and personal items like chapstick, pens or hairbands. Make an impression on your first day with a classic, simple scrub top in a neutral hue or vibrant color. If you want to stand out, opt for a patterned scrub top or one featuring colorful characters or designs like flowers, hearts or pineapples.
Modern Scrub Bottoms
Your first-day attire must include modern scrub bottoms to match your scrub tops. Women’s scrub bottoms now come in various styles that allow for a full range of motion and comfort while remaining attractive and professional. You can opt for a pair of scrub bottoms with an elastic waistband to give you a flattering look without being too tight or loose. These bottoms also let you move freely so that you can impress your new coworkers with your dedication to daily tasks. Tapered joggers offer an athletic look that can help you feel confident and comfortable at your new job. You can also choose high-waisted or mid-rise scrub bottoms to create a mix-and-match ensemble for your first day.
Practical Scrub Jackets
If you’re starting a new job at a hospital, be prepared for some serious air conditioning. Most hospitals run cold to help keep patients’ temperatures regulated, especially those with fevers. Due to the chilly work environment, you’ll want to acquire work-appropriate outer layers like scrub jackets, sweaters and vests. Zip-up jackets that open in the front are generally preferable over pull-over sweatshirts since they reveal the scrub top underneath when unzipped and are easier to take on and off. They also look more professional overall.
Many zip-up jackets come with pockets so you can easily access any necessary supplies. On your first day, there will be a lot to remember; a jacket pocket is a great place to keep any important notes you’ve taken that you may need to refer to. For a more pared-down, professional look, choose a darker outer layer in a solid color like black or gray. If you work with children or want to look more approachable, you may want to opt for a brighter colored outer layer or a patterned scrub jacket or sweater.
Supportive Socks and Shoes
Between checking on patients, running labs, and making rounds, healthcare workers spend a lot of time on their feet. When selecting your first-day shoes, it’s best to prioritize comfort over fashion. Choose shoes that fit snugly but don’t feel too tight, with a wide toe box, shock absorption, and a non-slip sole. You may want to add padded insteps for additional arch support.
Many nurses opt for tennis shoes or Crocs with their scrubs. These shoes help absorb the impact of walking on hard linoleum or tiled floors in medical facilities and keep your feet from hurting after your first 12-hour shift. You have more freedom with your sock choice, though wearing socks that offer gentle compression is helpful. Compression stockings can keep your legs from getting tired and achy, ease swelling in your feet and help prevent varicose and spider veins. Many healthcare workers opt for knee-high socks that will stay in place without adjustments.
If no one sees your socks, you can use this opportunity to reduce your nerves by wearing a pair of socks that put a smile on your face. Socks featuring floral designs or even beloved characters like Hello Kitty can lighten the mood of a potentially sobering workplace.
What to Avoid on Your First Day
When deciding what to wear to your new job, you may want to consider what not to put on to avoid fashion faux pas on your first day. Ensure you familiarize yourself with your facility’s dress code requirements. Some hospitals only allow specific-colored scrubs such as teal or white, while others allow colors as long as they are solid. Verify what colors or patterns you can and can’t wear before showing up in the wrong scrubs for your first shift. You might also avoid the following, at least until you learn the ropes in your new position:
- Earrings, necklaces, and rings (except your wedding band)
- Watches or bracelets
- Fake or long nails
- Perfume or highly scented sprays
Shine on Your First Day
Making a good impression on your first day at a new medical office, hospital or care facility can set you up for success. Looking confident and well put together helps you feel competent and ready to fulfill your new role. The right ensemble inspires respect and trust in your new coworkers, manager and patients. Learn any dress code regulations your new job may have, and then work within those parameters to create a scrub ensemble representing who you are and the kind of worker you intend to be.