Monthly Archives: April 2014

How To's

April Showers Bring…FLOWERS!!

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April is almost behind us, which mean it’s time to usher in those gorgeous May flowers. Quick heads up: I’m not just talking about the flowers in your garden, but in your wardrobe as well! Say what? Yup, floral is all the rage this spring, and you, my dear nurses, will NOT be left behind as this fashion trend sweeps the runway. That’s right; you can purchase your nursing scrubs in fun, vibrant, and beautiful floral patterns, and here’s how to wear them.  Bring on that FLOWER POWER!

Prints Please:

Think all florals are the same? Well, think again! There are many, and I mean MANY floral prints to choose from. So step 1: Choose the print that best suits you. Is simple and sophisticated your thing? Then you want a fine print scrub featuring dainty flowers. And you there; you look like you’re looking to make a statement. In that case, I suggest you go with a vibrant piece featuring big, bold, eye catching flowers. Let your medical scrubs speak for you!

Work That Palette:

You’ve chosen a print, I gather. Now comes the big, ‘what do I pair it with?’ The goal is to create a cohesive look, so once you’ve chosen your print, you’ll want to pick out a color from the pattern and stick with it. Not sure what I’m getting at? Take the Dickies Everday Scrubs mock wrap scrub top. Notice it’s got that nice burst of hot pink going on? Good; now run with it. Pair it with hot pink medical scrub pants and a bright pink lip. Voila, you are looking très très chic and ready to strut your stuff down the catwalk! Tip: If you’re not sure which color to choose in order to pull your killer ensemble together, then go for a neutral. These colors include black, white, grey, beige etc. Think of it as a safety net; you can’t go wrong!

Accessorize:

It’s totally okay if you’re scared to go full on floral right away; baby steps are good too. So what can you do to ease your way into this trend? Accessories! Wear those flowers on your bag, wallet, hair accessory, jewelry….you name it, it has got to have flowers! Remember accessories can make or break your look, and a great accessory will go a very long way!

Flowers are fun! And pretty! And statement making! And all over the fashion scene! In other words, I want to see all you fabulous nurses in flowers. Cheers to May!

How To's

Dressed for Success

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Resume. Check! Interview. Uhhhh….Don’t worry, the same way I showed you how to write up the perfect resume, I’m going to show you how to dress the part for that interview you are bound to get. Yup, I’m that confident in you! It’s not rocket science, it’s getting dressed; but while your amazing resume (ahem!) may have opened the door for you, the way you dress will either let you pass through that door, or promptly slam it in your face. Listen well, you nurses to be!

Clothing:

Rule #1: Leave the nursing scrubs at home. Yes, even if you just bought yourself that adorable, printed scrub top. If you’re serious about getting the job, you have to take your appearance seriously, because the potential employer most certainly will. A nice pair of dress pants with a collared shirt will do the trick, or even a structured suit. Word of advice: If you choose to wear a skirt, make sure it’s no shorter than one inch above your knee cap. Modesty is a virtue that your employer will look out for.

Shoes:

The dress code in most healthcare settings calls for closed toe nursing shoes. They’re considered more sanitary and come across as a lot more professional than open toe shoes. What does this mean for your interview? Wear closed toe shoes. You want to send the right vibe.

Accessories:

Less is more when it comes to accessories for interviews. And once again, think about the dress code. If dangling earrings are not allowed, make sure to leave those at home for the interview as well. Choose nice studs instead. Be sure to wear a watch as well. Aside for providing you with the time without having to look at your phone, (which, mind you, should be on silent and stashed away,) it also tells the potential employer that you’re well prepared for the job. Watches with second hands are used to check different vitals such as pulse and respiration.

Hair and Nails:

As with closed toe shoes, hair that is pulled back is considered more sanitary and more professional in most healthcare settings, because you don’t want it getting in the way while you work with patients. You know what that means for the interview, don’t you? If you have long hair, keep it pulled back; it’ll make you seem more credible. The same goes for nails. Keep them short, clean, and polish free for that all too important interview.

Ok, now that we’re through, let’s do this again. Resume. Check! Interview. Check! Job offer. Hope so….

How To's

Spruce Up That Resume

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It’s a tough job market today. Shocker? I think not. Job opportunities are few and far between, with layoffs and budget cuts more prevalent than ever. Scary part is, the health industry is no exception; I’m talking to you, nurses. You can get through the crisis, though! If you have the right qualifications and can get yourself noticed, then you have a better chance at landing the job you want. In other words, you need a GREAT resume. And here’s how to make yours stand out from the rest!

Cover Letters ARE Important:

Yup, it’s the good old cover letter. Seems simple, huh? Yet you wouldn’t believe how many people send in resumes without a cover letter. This is your first impression, so to speak. It tells the potential employer why he/she should even take time out of his/her precious schedule to look through your resume. If you can draw them in, you already have an advantage.

What Are Your Qualifications?:
Tell them about yourself. Tell them why they should give you the position over the next applicant. This is the goal in summarizing your qualifications. And give it your all; from your  educational and professional background, to your short and long term objectives. You have to make them want YOU! Having a new set of nursing scrubs hanging in your closet waiting for your first day of work just won’t cut it.

Be YOU:

Yes, you may have patched up a friend while on vacation out in who knows where. Guess what, though? That absolutely does not count as international nursing experience. (I know, I know…you wish it did.) You don’t want to mislead anyone by twisting the truth even just a teeny, tiny bit. Nursing is serious business and whatever you put on your resume has got to be real! Bottom line is: be YOU, and just play up and highlight the skills you know for a fact you have.

Flow Is Everything:

Applying for a job, particularly one as serious as a nursing job, is in essence a competition. Which means you’ve got to be on top of your game. Make sure your resume is neat, organized, chronologically correct, and understandable. If it’s not, it’ll be chucked to the side and the potential employer will move on to the next one.

Research As Much As You Can:

It’s not one resume fits all. Find out about your potential employer, and see what he/she is looking for in an applicant. Like this you’ll know if it’s important to highlight certain areas over others, or whether to leave out certain information.

No one said it will be easy. You’ll probably have to keep a few different versions of your resume. Once you land that coveted job, though, and can proudly flaunt your spanking, new medical scrubs, you’ll realize that all the resume hassle was well worth it. Sending love to all you job hunting nurses!

Scrub Style

Nurse Must-Haves

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If you were stranded on a remote island somewhere halfway across the world, and you were allowed 5 personal items of your choice, what would they be?? Just kidding, I’m not going to play this game with you. I will, however, tell you the five must-haves every nurse needs to get through her shift. And I mean NEED; as in you can’t get through your shift without them. So just keep a mental list in your mind, and run through it before each shift. You’ll be thanking me soon enough!

Scrubs:

You can’t do your job if you don’t have scrubs. The end. Having a few sets of durable, stain resistant scrubs that can withstand all that goes on in a hospital setting; i.e. germs, blood, and a slew of other ‘not-too-pretty’ stuff, as well as rigorous washings, is a necessity. In fact, I can recommend the perfect set: the Cherokee Workwear 4801 mock wrap along with the Cherokee Workwear 4101 flare leg pant will serve you well, and both pieces are quite chic, to boot. Here’s a helpful hint: Keep a freshly laundered set of scrubs in your car or locker in the event that you need an emergency spare set!

Stethoscope:

People talk about ‘tools of the trade,’ and the tool of YOUR trade is none other than the stethoscope. Regardless of the setting you work in, you need a good, solid stethoscope; nothing cheap or disposable.  Listening to your patient’s lungs and heart is the ABC’s of a proper physical assessment, so make sure you’re doing it right!

Shoes:

You will be on your feet for a solid 12 hours, which warrants only the best footwear has to offer. Your shoes must be comfortable, durable, and supportive. What you can’t control is the fact that your feet will hurt when you get home; what you can control is how badly they’ll hurt. You may have to make a bit of an investment for a quality pair of nursing shoes, but it’ll be an expense well worth it.

Pens, Pencils and More:

Writing may be archaic these days, but you still need a functioning pen, pencil, Sharpie, and dry erase marker on hand at all times. The worst feeling ever is having to write something down and not having the proper writing tool. Even worse is having to run from station to station looking for that elusive pen, pencil or whatnot. The scrubs manufacturers make it easy for you these days, as most scrub tops and bottoms come equipped with multiple pen slots. So no more excuses!

Alcohol Swabs:

You work in a hospital setting, which means there are germs literally everywhere. Having a stash of alcohol pads on hand, to wipe down items like your stethoscope or an IV port, will help keep the environment as sterile as possible.

Here you have it: If you were stranded in a hospital and were told you must cover a shift, these are the 5 must-have items you would request!

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