[Boltthrower]

I just wanted to get any input from guys or girls out there who have experience with male RNs who have long hair or facial hair in school or hospitals. I know it varies greatly according to policy at that particular place, but I just wanted to get a feel for different takes on it. I am attending nursing school this fall. I dont have really long hair, but I would say it is probably longer than most guys out there and I like to sport well groomed facial hair like goatee or beard. Have any of you fellas run into problems where you were required to cut your hair or shave or anything like that? I know with the hair issue many female nurses are required to wear hair in a ponytail, but what about when it is of intermittant length and cant be put up, but also is longer than regular. Are there places that allow you to wear surgical caps or hair nets or other caps? And are male nurses with long hair or facial hair looked at as unprofessional or seen by potential employers as undesirable because of this? I realize this is kind of a silly question and believe me I am more than willing to do whatever it takes to become a nurse if I have to shave my body and wear a clown suit or the like. I am just fairly new to the field and was looking for some quality input that I know I will find here. Thanks.

M:gandalf:

[luvmy2angels]

At my school male or female, hair was not allowed to touch the collar. Girls either wore it up or got it cut short. Sometimes in the classroom we were allowed to wear a ponytail but anytime in clinical it had to pinned up so it wasn't touching the collar. Facial hair for the male students was allowed as long as it was neat, no bushy beards or mustaches. The only time i think facial hair becomes a problem is if you are working someplace where you need to wear a hepa type mask that must seal around your face, then you wouldn't be able to have the beard.
Our school was pretty strict when it came to our professional appearance. Good luck to you!!

[EricEnfermero]

I would err on the side of caution, especially when interviewing or just starting a new position. For a student, your school will probably have some policies that will help you out for clinicals.

Gotta vote a big 'no' on the clown suit as well.

[Roy Fokker]

Originally Posted by EricEnfermero

I would err on the side of caution, especially when interviewing or just starting a new position. For a student, your school will probably have some policies that will help you out for clinicals.

Gotta vote a big 'no' on the clown suit as well.

Err on the side of caution. Once your in, you might become more familiar with the place to make a better judgement call.

Personally, my school never made it an issue and I sported various moustache/beard styles through school

[Roy Fokker]

By the way:

There are no stupid questions, except for the ones that don't get asked...

[Boltthrower]

Originally Posted by Roy Fokker

By the way:

There are no stupid questions, except for the ones that don't get asked...

Thats funny you should say that, when I am substitute teaching for HS kids I always try to be a grumy old man toward them (all a big act) and I always say, "remember, the only stupid question, is the one YOU ask." They all know I am kidding and I get a laugh every time. heh heh.

[ChadleyNC]

Say no to clowns all together.
they are evil.
there's a conspiracy, I have proof, but this is not the time or place...

as for facial hair, I started school with a stache/goatee and that was fine with my instructors.

my hair is short on my head but I have a few classmates that have hair that reaches their shoulders. You are right in saying it differs depending on where you are. IMHO though I'd say as long as you don't look like someone threw you out, you should be ok.

[bones221]

I'm recently accepted to nursing school, and have recently started as a CNA. I have sported a goatee or full beard and moustache for over twenty years now. I'd hate to have to get rid of it, but will certainly do so if needed.

Anyway, I've been keeping an eye on the facial hair of the men inthe industry that I come across. I've noticed that most are sporting a beard. I've also noticed on the class pictures scattered about the school that most of the grads of the program that I'm to attend are wearing facial hair of one style or another. Also, when I interviewed at the facility where I'm currently working, I was sporting a bushy "wild west" style handlebar moustache! Never a word was said against it. Hardly a scientific sampling to be sure, but it's what I've noticed so far.

I have a hypothesis that there is such a small percentage of men in nursing that few facilities have bothered to write a policy. *shrug*

[Larry77]

They tend to be a lot more picky in nursing school than in the "real world". We have a few male nurses with tons of tattoos, long hair, and those huge holes in their ears (why in the freakin world would someone want 3/4 inch holes in their ear?)

[Roy Fokker]

Originally Posted by Larry77

(why in the freakin world would someone want 3/4 inch holes in their ear?)

Same reason they get tattoos and piercings in, um, "personal" places on their body....