1. You don't need to buy any. If you simply want a pair or two, go for it---they're generally very comfy
2. you'll wear them in third and fourth years, definitely; depends on what experiences you get in years 1 and 2 as to whether you'll ever wear them then (my only time was for autopsy)
3. sizes vary by hospital (whatever brand they buy). They tend to run BIG in my experience!
4. color depends on hospital...some places have nurses in one color, tech-types in another, docs in another....our VA hospital has color by size (for example red=small, lt blue=medium, purple-blue=large)
While I suppose it's possible that some places would make you purchase scrubs, I believe that at a large majority of hospitals (someone can correct me if this is not the case) scrubs are available in the locker rooms and you just grab what size you need. If you need to change into scrubs for surgery, a messy procedure or because you ruined your clothes, they are provided. If you don't know where to find them, ask. Technically, you are supposed to return the scrubs for laundering and not keep them...although most people end up acquiring a few sets simply b/c they wear them home after a long day.
Some hospitals have unisex scrubs, others have "male" and "female" sets (though the difference is often purely sizing or # of pockets or other random differences). I know at one hospital I've been in, the scrub bottoms were elastic while at another one, they were drawstring (much nicer!).
So, basically, buy them if you want a pair, but don't waste your money buying them b/c you incorrectly think you NEED to have them.
