[Chaoticdreams33]

while tattoos are much more mainstream than they have been in the past, i hardly think that people don't judge others by them. And even though I love my tattoos, i do think that it is rather unprofessional for them to be showing. I got this huge one on my forearm as soon as I turned 18 and i love it to death, i think it's beautiful, but i do wish that I had gotten it in an easier to conceal place...

[Roy Fokker]

If you check out my gallery, I have my big *** tattoo posted.

I plan on getting four more

[nickola]

Originally Posted by upriverRN

Many of my patients and their family members would have to disagree with you on that point. Many of them find it frightening. Others, just plain disrespectful and unprofessional.

although IMO tatoos/piercings are personal choices, many patients find them unsanitary looking. I have had several people tell me that they don't like to see their healthcare providers sporting nose studs b/c they think they harbor bacteria- as for tatoos, I don't see the problem, other than several pts have told me they thought their nurse looked "dirty & unwashed". I have never worked in a facility that ALLOWED visible tatoos or facial piercings until NOW- and even our director of nursing has a nose stud- which I might add looks disgusting. I do think there is a limit to what you can do to your body & still look professional. I have found that some people find it appalling & unsanitary, even unprofessional looking- depending on the demographics of the area you work in. I think you have to consider the image you portray, and the last hospital I worked at considered your overall neatness/appearance when yearly evals came up.

[pie123]

Originally Posted by JelaRN

I have 14 piercings and 2 tattoos and have no plans of getting rid of any of them. I just had my nose pierced and all comments from staff and patients have been positive, they think it is cute. I love it when patients ask me how many holes I have in my head. One of my tattoos is on the back of my neck and visible. I have never heard any negatives about it either. I like being different and unique, and it doesn't mean I am a bad nurse or your a bad nurse. Don't let anyone tell you different.

I agree with you! I have 10 tattoos & 2 piercings--one in the tragus & of course, the belly button. My tattoos can all be concealed, except one on my neck, which is a flower. My only regret is that I didn't go to someone who could have done a better job.

[Beach Nurse]

Originally Posted by PrincessJessica

Ok so I have a question. I am going to be starting school soon to be a LPN. My question is I have a pretty good sized tattoo on my left wrist. It isnt offensive, its very pretty. It is a dragonfly. Do you all think I will have problems with employment and people taking me seriously after school is done. I want honest opinions. I will not get offended by anyhting any of you have to say. I am just trying to get all info I can. Thank You!

I don't know if being a guy is any different, but I have tats on both forearms and upper arms. If I start a new job I am dressed nice with long sleeve, button up shirt. I do mention it, but no one asks to see. After everyone has gotten used to me I can let them show and know one cares. So no worries.

[harle53]

Im a male nurse, and i have tats on both arms. i have had some patients kind of stare at me when they were exposed from under my scrubs. i have even had a patient tell the doc that she was very intimidated by me. i went in and spent time with the patient so she would feel more comfortable with me. i think if you develop a good patient relationship, they will be comfortable with you tats or not.

[n8isgr8]

I have four tats just got my latest on friday, I used to have my eyebrow peirced. I want to re peirce it so badly but I am afraid that the people on my new job would not approve (! this is me I am a hard working, motivated indivdual. I think it is such a shame that society wont accept me for me. How horrible to be turned down for a job or not respected by patients because of the stigmas THEY have. I also want to peirce my tounge. I hope as I grow older in nursing people will be more accepting and not so prejudice and judgemental. Get to know me. I am one of the kindest people you will ever meet and get nothing but compliments. I just wish I was able to freely express myself!!!!!!
-Jami

[fireflyLPN]

Originally Posted by PrincessJessica

Ok so I have a question. I am going to be starting school soon to be a LPN. My question is I have a pretty good sized tattoo on my left wrist. It isnt offensive, its very pretty. It is a dragonfly. Do you all think I will have problems with employment and people taking me seriously after school is done. I want honest opinions. I will not get offended by anyhting any of you have to say. I am just trying to get all info I can. Thank You!

I am an LPN with 4 tattoos - you can see some of the darker colored ones if I am wearing light colored scrubs. My tattoos didn't interfere with my employment as I got a good job at a large local hospital after graduation, but I don't wear white scrubs either.

Anyway, my LPN said when I registered that no one could have tattoos that were clearly visible. They would not let in one girl that had a tattoo of a heart on her hand. With that being said, I think it is only in what is visible to the passerby. No one will be looking that closely at the innerside of your wrist (I presume?). I'm sure if you were to wear a sweat band or maybe even one of those large band wrist watches (70's retro), you would be able to adequately disguise your dragonfly.

Good Luck!

[MS._Jen_RN]

My tattoos are covered, but many of my co-worker's aren't. Many also have visible piercings including lebret, eyebrow, nose and cartilage. The policy at my institution stated that it is up to managment as to wether or not the tats need covered or the piercings need to be taken out.. Most don't care, I think the only reason it's in the policy is to cover themselves if someone had an offensive tat in an obvious place. My school was pretty relaxed about it too. I think that like many others have said, it depends on the organization.
There is one problem I could see with piercings. I work on a rehab unit that sees a lot of brain injured patients. They can be combative at times and I would not want them, their clothing, or restraints catching on anything ancored into my skin, including stud earings. (Just a thought)
~Jen

[BabyRN2Be]

Originally Posted by cardiacRN2006

Most schools are quite anal about tattoos and jewelry. We can't even wear our wedding rings (just the band).... no earrings, hair must be pulled back and everything must look very professional. The good news is, your clinical attire should include a lab coat that will cover your arms.

Boy, I'd be in big trouble if I had to wear only my wedding band to school as it's soldered to my engagement ring. It moved around too much and I thought it would be best to just have them soldered. I absolutely hate to leave the house w/o my wedding ring. Maybe it's just because I'm a newlywed.

I hope this will not be a problem at my nursing school, wherever I go. Actually this is the first time that I've heard of a school being so harsh on wearing jewelry. I can understand gaudy jewelry (recently I had a social worker come in to my room where I was being treated overnight and she had on this HUGE elephant head necklace along with matching bangle bracelets - it was truly too much), but wedding rings? That's going a bit too far.

I currently don't have any tattoos or piercings. If I ever did it would be related to my husband or my best friend all my life, it would be very unobtrusive lest anyone be offended.