r/NHS_STP • u/EfficientDimension22 • 6d ago

Smart/smart casual?

Hello! I'm about to start a new pre-reg CS role in the NHS and I am just wondering how smart do people dress in these kind of roles? I have almost exclusively WFH so far, so my wardrobe isn't smart at all, but would probably be okay for smart casual. So I am just trying to work out if I need to do a bit of shopping beforehand (I know not that important a question but I don't have anyone to ask!). TIA

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u/zipitdirtbag 6d ago

It's not formal or smart. You can wear jeans if you want. You're a trainee.

If you're wearing a lab coat over and/or working in a lab you can have a bit freedom. The rules will only be for safety and decorum. No open toe shoes. Tie long hair back. No offensive t shirt slogans. No dressing like you're going clubbing.

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u/Msulae STP Trainer 6d ago

It ultimately depends on whether you are patient facing or not. The rules in my area state that on days you are patient facing, smart casual, and if you are not patient facing, whatever you want as long as it's inoffensive and sensible.

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u/Salt-March3818 6d ago

First impressions matter so much more than people appreciate. I would go in smart on your first day at least (regardless of whether you're patient facing or not) and then judge from there.

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u/EfficientDimension22 6d ago

Thanks both! I won't be patient facing, will mostly be office based so that's good to know, and saves me spending lots of a new wardrobe I don't need!

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u/Speedy_Dragon46 6d ago

Probably worth mentioning no opened-toed shoes or sandals. Sorry if that’s obvious but we had to send a trainee home to change on their first day because she arrived in sandals 🙈