Piercings and Nursing

Jessie71385 · Nov 2, 2013

This is something you have to decide for yourself. Being a CNA, you have to be able to do total care for somebody who cannot care for themselves. I believe in piercings, however, there will be pain involved and risk for infection because of the care you will be giving. Depending on the facility you work, you may or may not be allowed to wear the piercings. At the facility I work, you can only wear stud earings in your ears only. No others. So you may want to check your handbook about piercings. Hope this helps, and good luck to you!!!!

duskyjewel · Nov 2, 2013

With what we do with our hands all day, I would consider those an infection control hazard, especially if they are high enough on the wrist to not be covered by gloves. Newly placed, they would present a problem for you, in that you would be at higher risk of infection because of the wounds. I also wonder about the excessive hand-washing we do irritating the sites and delaying or even sabotaging your healing. (Good questions for your piercer.) Even after healing, they provide extra surface area and possibly even hiding places for pathogens, increasing risk of transmission.

Also, long-term, think about this: what if you need an MRI at some point? What will happen with implanted metal that cannot be removed except surgically? I have a tattoo, have had my nose pierced in the past and am considering having it re-done, so I'm not anti-body-modification. But I want you to think long and hard about whether these dermals are a wise choice, and think about it from angles you might not have before.

Also many schools and facilities have very strict policies about tattoos and piercings, so having them at all might limit your job prospects and ability to further your education. Fair? No. Reality? Yes.

Coffee bean · Nov 2, 2013

I'm in a CNA program now,we were told by our instructor we are not allowed piercings other than in the ears,tattoos have to be covered,hair cannot be down or "weird" colors.We do our clinicals at local LTC homes.Im sure all CNA programs have similar dress codes.Before I started the program I was just about ready to get a new wrist tattoo,luckily I didn't or I would have had to invest in a case of band aids!

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2013

Some hospitals may let you get away with it but when the big wigs come down, they will probably crack down on you and make you cover it. Also, I wouldn't get them anywhere below the elbow given how I've had blood and stool go everywhere.

However, schools tend to be stricter than hospitals and they will probably not let it go. I wouldn't spend the money.

queserasera, RN · Nov 3, 2013

My fiancee is a professional body piercer and tattooist. I posed this scenario to him and his professional advice was to not do it. First of all microdermals are at risk of ripping out even to the everyday desk worker. He said that you'd not only be running this risk but also be at risk of infection from bodily fluids and functions of you patients. Eventually they would most likely reject, if not naturally, then from the constant friction of putting on/pulling off gloves.

Sounds like the wrists may not be the best place for a healthcare provider to get microdermals. Maybe hips or back would be a better option for you

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Nov 3, 2013

I don't have microdermals but it sounds like a bad idea for all the above listed reasons. I am an LVN, work in corrections, II only have my nose pierced & they make me take it out. So if you ever decide to further your education it might not be a great idea to get piercings/implants/tattoos in places employers might want you to remove.

studentbear, CNA · Nov 3, 2013

I'd wait until you secure a job first. Each facility has policies on piercings/tattoos, so it would depend on where you plan on working. From a safety stand point, a microdermal sounds like something that has the potential of being ripped out and/or infected. Your wrists have the potential of coming in contact with bodily fluids and also getting snagged while transferring/repositioning someone.

JDZ344 · Nov 5, 2013

The main thing to consider is infection. Fresh piercings are an open entry into your body. Your hands and wrists will be in contact with all kinds of stuff, so you have to decide if its worth the risk. .

Then there is the slight risk of a client or material etc catching your piercing and yanking it.

You have to decide if the risk is worth it, and also consider if you are even permitted certain piercings at wherever you work.

OwlieO.O · Nov 5, 2013

This is something you have to decide for yourself. Being a CNA, you have to be able to do total care for somebody who cannot care for themselves. I believe in piercings, however, there will be pain involved and risk for infection because of the care you will be giving. Depending on the facility you work, you may or may not be allowed to wear the piercings. At the facility I work, you can only wear stud earings in your ears only. No others. So you may want to check your handbook about piercings. Hope this helps, and good luck to you!!!!

Agreed

SummerWertz · Nov 8, 2013

I used to have surface piercings on my hips. Surface piercings and dermals are highly temperamental. I took mine out after a year because they kept getting ripped and caught on things. I wouldn't recommend them, especially on such a high mobile and impact area such as the wrists.

ComeTogether, LPN · Nov 9, 2013

I haven't read the other posts, but I would think that would be a huge issue for a couple of reasons. The main ones being infection control and possible skin tears to the patients. All you'd have to do is slide your hand under someone to turn them and you could rip their skin with the piercing. Not cool.