New Intern Orientation Dress Code

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

asmallchild

Full Member
Staff member
Administrator
Volunteer Staff
Lifetime Donor
15+ Year Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2006
Messages
2,268
Reaction score
755
So this won't help me since I've just finished orientation, but I was curious what the general thought on this was?

I had assumed because there would be no patient care, casual attire would be more than fine. (Do the guys really need ties if they're going through computer training and a hospital administered physical exam/drug screen??)

About 1/2 my co-residents agreed and dressed accordingly, and the other half dressed in true work attire.

Thoughts?

Members don't see this ad.
 
So this won't help me since I've just finished orientation, but I was curious what the general thought on this was?

I had assumed because there would be no patient care, casual attire would be more than fine. (Do the guys really need ties if they're going through computer training and a hospital administered physical exam/drug screen??)

About 1/2 my co-residents agreed and dressed accordingly, and the other half dressed in true work attire.

Thoughts?

Business-Casual would be the best. No need for a tie.
 
Agree with drgrimm.
I wouldn't wear shorts, but unless you're going to be in patient care areas, can likely get by without a tie.
 
So this won't help me since I've just finished orientation, but I was curious what the general thought on this was?

I had assumed because there would be no patient care, casual attire would be more than fine. (Do the guys really need ties if they're going through computer training and a hospital administered physical exam/drug screen??)

About 1/2 my co-residents agreed and dressed accordingly, and the other half dressed in true work attire.

Thoughts?

Most at mine wore business casual, a few wore ties. I wore scrubs and clogs cause I wanted to be comfortable.
 
Most at mine wore business casual, a few wore ties. I wore scrubs and clogs cause I wanted to be comfortable.

I remember in my residency manual that clear stated that no one is to wear scrubs unless they're on call or doing OB or on a surgical rotation.

You might be able to get away with not wearing a tie when seeing patients as some male attendings do too.
 
We had the whole range from jeans and t-shirts to suits. Rather odd...
 
Business-Casual would be the best. No need for a tie.

Just FYI as the term is used in the business sector, "business casual" usually includes a tie -- it's the step down from wearing a suit. The normal business casual look for a guy is a button down shirt, tie, tan slacks, and some form of shoes other than wingtips or loafers. If you lose the tie, some would term it "smart casual".

That being said, I think you can go with or without a tie if no dress code is specified. I would avoid t-shirts, non-collared shirts, jeans or sneakers.
 
I called the program coordinator ahead of time, and she said that we could wear whatever we wanted. I wore jeans and a t-shirt with flip-flops. A few other people wore similar outfits. Most people wore business casual. However, after the first day, most people began dressing down.
 
I called the program coordinator ahead of time, and she said that we could wear whatever we wanted. I wore jeans and a t-shirt with flip-flops. A few other people wore similar outfits. Most people wore business casual. However, after the first day, most people began dressing down.

You can always remove a tie or button down shirt down to a t-shirt and make yourself more casual. Much harder to go from too casual back without bringing a new outfit. So the common sense approach is to start dressier than you need and pare it down. Also, if they are going to take pictures for IDs and stuff, you will want to be a bit more professional shirt-wise. I'm just saying.
 
We all wore jeans. Some surgery residents wore suits and everyone was looking at them like they were crazy.
 
You can always remove a tie or button down shirt down to a t-shirt and make yourself more casual. Much harder to go from too casual back without bringing a new outfit. So the common sense approach is to start dressier than you need and pare it down. Also, if they are going to take pictures for IDs and stuff, you will want to be a bit more professional shirt-wise. I'm just saying.

👍
 
So this won't help me since I've just finished orientation, but I was curious what the general thought on this was?

I had assumed because there would be no patient care, casual attire would be more than fine. (Do the guys really need ties if they're going through computer training and a hospital administered physical exam/drug screen??)

About 1/2 my co-residents agreed and dressed accordingly, and the other half dressed in true work attire.

Thoughts?

My first day, I wore a polo shirt and jeans. From then on, it was t-shirt, shorts and flip flops.

Should have worn that on the first day.

Some loser wore a tie and got made fun of.

I own no ties.....
 
day 1: figured I'd be seeing program director, meeting big wigs from med ed and such, wore shirt and tie. day 2: more lecture, shirt, no tie. Day 3/4: PALS=jeans with polo shirt... coulda gotten by with jeans/collared shirt. We were walking around the hospital, and needed to look a little nicer than jeans/t-shirt.
 
Top