stretched earlobe piercings as CNA?

stretchedlobez · Feb 14, 2012

I understand I need to look professional. Its not like I would go in to a nursing home or hospital with big metal plugs in my ears and tattoos covering my body and rings all in my face, lol. I know how to look presentable and I even volunteer at an assisted living facility that my mother works at, and no one is any the wiser about how my ears really are. I appreciate all of your advice

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Feb 14, 2012

My suggestion, don't bother just not wearing the jewelry that goes in those stretched earlobes (not sure of the term..ear ring? plugs?) just go with 'hiding' the earlobes.

Why hide them..because I would bet my first born and my right arm that you will be asked on a constant basis what is 'wrong' with your ears. Of course if you don't mind being asked over and over again (and you won't mind possible snarky comments, eyes being rolled etc after you explain about the body mod), then leave the jewelry out and don't hide the lobes.

I have a tat on my upper shoulder that isn't visible unless i have a scrub top that goes a little lower than the norm on the back. I get very tired of people pulling at my top to see what 'it' is, tired of explaining my reason for that particular tat, tired of explaining that the humming bird wing (the only part that can be visible in certain tops) is NOT part of a pot leaf, etc so I just stick with either making sure the tops totally hide the tat or I wear a t-shirt under to totally cover it.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Feb 14, 2012

seems to me that it will get tedious to have to "normalize" your ears prior to every shift. After a while (and a few sweat inducing shifts- don't think you can sweat at this job? You're in for a surprise then!) the tape is going to start irritating your skin. If you want to let them hang naturally (or run late and forget to tape them), they instantly become a target for every agitated patient to put a finger in there and yank.

I'm not saying you should look into another line of work or even that you should get the lobe stretching corrected - these are all decisions you would have to make yourself, i just want you to be aware that nursing is tough enough without having to worry about getting judged for a fad body mod or enduring soft tissue injury because of it.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Feb 14, 2012

One of my friends has gauges that are solid to make it look like normal lobes but hers are not gauged to an inch so looks like the tape trick might be the best for you. Good luck in having it work out for you. I guess I am one that thinks I will judge you on how well you know your **** and do your job vs what you look like.

PinkCupcake · Feb 14, 2012

I agree that the stretched earlobes look is very unprofessional. Many employers will not hire you because of them...of course they will probably never tell you that. Everyone has the right to express themselves however they want, but it comes at a price. Right or wrong that's how it is. I've always told my children that if you want a tattoo when you are an adult make sure it's what you really really really want, that it's tasteful, and is someplace that is hidden when you where a polo shirt.

I would absolutely tape them back and consider having them surgically fixed. But that's just my opinion.

Good luck with clinicals they are a lot of fun!

northernguy · Feb 14, 2012

Wait, you have a tattoo on your face as well as the stretched earlobe thing?

Ill be honest, you got an uphill battle here. If you are female it might not be as bad, but if you're a male the second you sit in front of someone for an interview red flags are gonna instantly come up in their head and some of them are gonna spend the entire interview anxiously thinking of an excuse to get you out of their office so they can get some work done.

Obviously as an aide you will likely be working around mostly geriatrics, who assuming they can still see well enough, arent going to be overly receptive to your alternative image, and if they cant see well enough, there is the family to contend with.

I did work with a girl who had a tattoo on her neck, but she had to wear a turtleneck sweater to work every day lol.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 15, 2012

Even if your potential employer will be him/herself from "alternative body" community, you probably won't be hired because of safety concerns. A confused client can accidentally put finger into that hole in your ear and pull it real hard, with bad result for you and for the place you're working in. And you may not "fix" your ears with tape of any kind, because some of your clients may be very much allergic to it, and you cannot be permitted be even close to them if you use any tape on any open part of your body.

I agree with what was said above: it is anyone's right to "improve" their own body, but it comes with a price, and the tag is rather high. If you want a career in healthcare, find a way to make your ears looking "normal" permanently.

sunkissed75, CNA · Feb 15, 2012

Strectchedlobez..... I guess you didn't read the thread 'Mockery of Nursing' before posting your question!!

You sound like a good guy. I really hope things work out for you!!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Feb 15, 2012

Hi, so I am starting the CNA program at my local community college next month and I could not be more excited about it but I have one question. My earlobes are currently stretched to one inch, I have no problems leaving the jewelry out and I know how to hide them by tapping them to the back of my ear but my main question is do you think it would be a problem if I just didn't wear jewelry at all? If it would be I can still use my tape trick but I was just curious. I am excited to hear what you all have to say :) Thanks!

I'm a nurse manager, and therefore in a position to hire people for nursing and non-nursing positions. And I have to admit that regardless of your qualifications, I'm very likely to find another person with similar qualifications who does not have stretched earlobes, or really any appearance that I think might make our patients uncomfortable. I work in an ambulatory facility that people choose to come to for healthcare, and frankly I don't see your "look" as enticing our clientele.

Please reconsider this kind of modification (along with visible piercings and tattoos) as I believe it will seriously limit your job opportunities. You might be great on paper, but once I see you in the interview, I imagine I might look to someone else to fill the position. Sorry, but that's the truth.

TopazLover, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2012

Seems like most of the responses I read are not against you having these mods done. They address safety, patient and client acceptance. There are a multitude of qualified applicants for any jobs. I am curious how your school feels about this. Have you gotten feedback from them? An honest program would discuss this issue.

I fully respect your right to have these mods done. I also respect the rights of patients and clients to have care givers that are comfortable for them. Right or wrong you will face many who fear you because you choose to be "different", at least different from them. Tape may not always be an option, or may fail during a hectic shift. Remember a 12 hour shift rarely ends at 12 hours. It is your life and your ears. Just be aware that your ears will seem as different as Mr. Spock's. He was accepted, as a Vulcan. You would need great presence to compare yourself to him.

Wishinonastar, BSN · Feb 15, 2012

Every time I see a student with those lobes I think "why???". Why would someone do this to themselves. You severely limit your future career choices. Yes I know it is a personal choice, and this is not the only issue that limits career choice, but it is so scarring and undoable.

My husband has long hair. I HATE it. He is 60 years old, way too old to have long hair. If he had it when he was younger he would not have gotten hired, but he has been at the same company for many years so they are used to it. Still, if the occasion came up he could cut his hair. You can't undo stretched ears or tattoos. If you are heavy you can lose weight. If you have pink hair you can color it. Think reversible when you consider body image changes.

I feel for you. It is a shame that the world is the way it is, but it is. I wish we could all not have to sweat and worry about looks but we do. I have a scar, not my fault, from an accident that is visible and I cannot hide it. I worry and hate it when people notice it or ask about it. It is like I will never be normal. So stressful. So hard on the self esteem. But it is a reality. Your ears are the same way and I hope that you can get them repaired someday.

peppapig123 · Feb 15, 2012

I made the mistake of getting two tattoos on my lower arms...guess I'm stuck wearing long sleeves at work for the rest of my life :/ I was 17 when I got them, now 3 yrs later I regret them.