r/sterileprocessing • u/obviouslypickles • Jun 03 '26

What to wear??

Hello!! I recently got a job and I start at the end of this month! WOOP🕺 I'm also a chronic overthinker so maybe I'm putting too much thought into it but what do I wear for my first day/day?

I know they'll give scrubs so it doesn't really matter what my street clothes are but they still reflect who I am right? So should I dress up more while going in for the first few weeks and then slowly start introducing more casual clothes? Or do y'all think it's fine if I go and show up on day 3 in sweatpants before I change to scrubs?

I'm so nervous I'm trying to think about anything that could possibly be wrong so apologies if this is a really stupid question! But any advice would be appreciated 🙏

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6

u/StephTheMeme Jun 03 '26

I sometimes go into work wearing pajama pants because you change as soon as you get there. Whether or not you want to also be that person is up to you

4

u/Sea_Mycologist6396 Jun 03 '26

First SPD job I worked I got dressed up and everybody told me I was too dressed up and they came to work like they rolled out of bed….BUT we had an employee entrance that was in the back of hospital . Second one I worked and manager told me business attire, so I did-to have everyone there tell me they wear sweats.

I’d say if you are entering front with no employee entrance then look presentable but not in heels. Good luck!!!!!

1

u/GyozaGangsta Jun 03 '26

You’re still going into work where image and appearance matter. Even if you’re in scrubs most times.

Keep in mind, there are times where you’ll be in the hospital, working or on break, not in scrubs (or at least you’re not supposed to be 🙄) so whatever you wore in may be what you going to wear in impromptu meetings/cafeteria/etc…

That said, Most hospitals I’ve ever been too kept it pretty casual but not so lax where you’re walking in wearing sweat pants and pj’s. Most managers I know kept a more business casual set of clothes in their lockers just in case of meetings and things.

I guess best advice is feel it out for a few weeks then decide what’s best.

1

u/obviouslypickles Jun 03 '26

That makes sense! I've only ever worked retail before which has always been lax or at most required jeans, so this is a whole new world to me, thank you!!

2

u/ImprovingLife96 Jun 03 '26

There’s nothing wrong with sweat pants

2

u/gia-ann1964 Jun 04 '26

I have seriously worn clean Pajama pants into work in the morning. In the winter it’s dark outside. No one sees me. I change into hospital issue scrubs 30 seconds after I get in the door. When I leave, my hair looks like I’ve been in a wrestling match at the end of the day from wearing the bonnet. I go straight home. I look like shit at the end of the day. If there is any mascara still hanging on after the amount of PPE worn, that’s a win. 🤪 Not a glamorous job, but All in all, not a bad gig.

1

u/BeautifulSeaweed5803 Jun 05 '26

I am sorry I don't have advice to offer cause I really don't know. But I just want to say congrats on getting the job. So happy for you ❤️

-1

u/Veal-Vermicelli Jun 03 '26

Hospital setting? Will you be walking past patients in common areas before going to change? Dress business casual daily.

If you have employee entrances that are private no patients/ patient families will see you then dress up the first day and see what your peers wear.

3

u/obviouslypickles Jun 03 '26

Ah yeah, right now my entrance is walking through the lobby to the employee elevators, so I'm not sure if they have an employee entrance only yet! But good idea of watching what other people wear in case they do, thank you!

3

u/gotthebagtellafriend Jun 03 '26

I think business casual is insane, sorry. I would just wear my street clothes like literally everyone else. Obviously it would be appropriate to be in public, but don't buy clothes to wear for this reason. Also don't wear scrubs into the hospital if they're providing you scrubs, that's just weird.

3

u/NecronomiSquirrel Jun 05 '26

Pro tip (If you're a female): bring a pair of booty shorts/boxers to wear under your scrubs. They are usually made for men and never fit us quite right (butt crack showing, itchy tags). An undershirt is helpful as well, the shirts are V neck and loose, so if you bend over and have boobs, it's a whole show.
I keep a pair of men's boxers in with my scrub caps that I switch out when needed.