Ask the Image Expert Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success Professional Attire in a Hospital Setting Question: I work at a children's hospital in a department that has patient contact. We are encouraged to dress in a business/professional "casual" manner. Scrubs are also appropriate. We are not management level. The department encompasses technical and professional employees. What does this mean? Janet Answer: Typical to most hospital environments, you are working in a diverse workplace. It can be challenging to dress according to code when you daily rub shoulders with professionals, such as doctors, nurses (RNs) and the executive level administrative people, as well as the technical folks, such as licensed laboratory technicians, X-ray and respiratory specialist, etc. My question to you is, “Do you want to be promoted to management level?” Even if your answer is no, it would still be important to your career to receive a positive recommendation if you were to change jobs. In that light, the level of professionalism that you bring to this job, which includes your image and the way you handle your work, remains consequential to your income and future career choices. With that in mind, I encourage you to pay attention to your attire and grooming on a daily basis. Grooming is always important, but it becomes especially critical if you choose to wear scrubs. Scrubs can be appropriate in a hospital work environment, if they are crispy clean and ironed. Today, scrubs come in a multitude of colors. Stick with the monochromatic look (matching pants and top in the same color) for a professional look. And of course, they look best if in a color that looks good on you, complementing your skin tone. Vary your look; do not always wear scrubs. Demonstrate that you understand business casual in the context of your job. Since you have patient contact, dressy pantsuits are not appropriate as they make more of a corporate statement. You still have an immense array of choices, like long skirts, pants, blouses, sweaters, sweater sets, etc. Strive for well-coordinated outfits and avoid sloppy casual like the plague! Also avoid jeans, T-shirts, Capri pants, shorts, and sandals as they are too casual - too leisure looking - to command respect. Appropriate business casual, even for your workplace, can look a thousand ways. It really depends upon your body type and your personal style. With patient contact, there are a few other pitfalls to avoid. Consider anything that would fall into the patient’s face when you lean over them a definite no-no. Items like long necklaces, a sweater tied around your shoulders, and even long hair can be irritating to patients when those things end up in their eyes, mouth, or face in general. Simplicity is essential to exuding professionalism. But, you can incorporate style into your look. Since your work in a children’s hospital, a smile will always be your best accessory. Best of luck to you, Sherry Maysonave Also see: The law firm I work for just adopted business casual dress policy. What should I wear? Should I buy new post-pregnancy clothes? Ask your image questions Personal Power: A case study from 'Casual Power'