Hair color--is it that big of an issue?

[SaintSybella]

Hi everyone! I'm new on this board so I don't know if this was discussed yet but.............

I love dying my hair. The color I love having it most is bright red.

Problem is...I'm also asian...so I guess some people might think it kind of odd. I don't know...all thoughout school I've always been the oddball.

(I also have a mohawk, but it's long enough that when I have it down, it looks perfectly normal.)

I guess you could say I'm pretty "alternative."

anyways, the thing is, bright hair has always been a huge part of my style. Sometimes I dye it other colors such as purple, etc. But mostly I'm a red person. And I'm wondering if having this hair color (red) might prevent me from being a nurse. Although I think it really shouldn't....I get good grades and I'm compassionate....but I'm worried that it might.

Are hospitals extremely strict about this?

What are some nursing jobs that are more lenient on this?

And have you ever seen any "eccentric" nurses like me?

thanks!

[**nurse**]

The profession does seem to place a great deal of value on appearance. I've worked in several (all but one) facilities that thought clogs were to radical. Face jewelry is a no no. So in Delaware, I'm sorry but I think they'd make you wear a wig if you got past the interview. Maybe some bigger cities?

[TazziRN, RN]

I've seen some pretty extreme colors among the Hispanics I work with. I don't think it matters as long as there aren't any complaints from pts. Most of the older people I know just giggle at the funky colors rather than complain.

[Jules A, MSN]

Hi,

Good for you, I'm all for being professional but this our world needs some free spirits. As far as being a nurse, getting hired would most likely be the biggest obstacle if your look is a little wild at the time so maybe tone it down until after you are hired, lol. Something that I figured out pretty early on when we were paired up for all those horrible group projects is that finding a team with like minded values and work ethic is really important so just keep that in mind no matter what color hair you are sporting that week. Good luck, Jules

[dougRN2BE]

I can't say that I've seen a nurse with bright red hair. I can't speak to what different nursing schools would say...I'm sure others will chime in with good advice.

Even if it is an obstacle (don't know that it is), you can always find other outlets for your eccentric spirit! If my hair color stood between me and my dream job then I would find another method of expression. Perhaps it won't be a problem.

Cheers,

Doug

[nurse4theplanet, RN]

probably wouldn't matter if you worked in the OR since you'll be covered with mask, hairnet, gloves and gown...haha. I have never seen nurses with such bright colors at either facility I work for. I think I would avoid any extreme changes until I talked with my NM. Personal identity is important, but such trivial aspects such as hair color are not worth losing employment over. There are many ways to express who you are.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

It would probably depend on the facility's policy.

Also, it could be a question to ask on an interview.

People still base opinions on looks, whether it's right or not.

[starryx2]

Hair color shouldnt matter, but I think in basic interview practices, a bright "odd" hair color might be a strike against you.

I do believe that patients remember how you treat them and how much compassion you bring to them, not what color your hair is.

So good luck to you in whatever your future brings you! Odd colored hair or not!

[rn/writer, RN]

Just remember to dot all your i's and cross all your t's. If you don't, it'll be really easy for a patient to point you out as the nurse with the turquoise mohawk. :roll

[parrotmom]

Are we talking clown red or a hair color naturally found on humans? Our policy actually states it must be a hair color naturally occurring in humans. Also some people said it only mattered what you did not how you appeared but I received both compliments and complaints about one of my employees and it always started with " I don't know her name but she had an earring on her eyebrow and a streak of red down the side of her head. (She had dark black hair) She wore a clear earring when on duty but stillnoticeable. I would suggest you use wash ins on your weekends or days off and stick to a more natural color till you have the lay of the land.

[mugwump]

It may be a problem. A couple things you should keep in mind. Not only are you representing yourself by your appearence you are representing you profession. Some hospitals (not that they hire by looks) but are looking for people to represent them. example a "clean cut nurse" nurse may get the job before a spikey mohaked blue haired tattoo showing nurse no matter how experienced or qualified the candidates are. Also can't remember if you have a mohawk or not (don't really personally care) In our nursing school, if your hair touched your collar it had to be pulled back. Also talking from experience there are some instances where you really should pull your hair back depending how long it is. There are some things that nurses do that you just don't want your hair in. (lets not go into graphic deltails)

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i've seen a couple of hospitals with dress codes that specified hair color must be a color naturally seen in humans. no raggedy ann reds, blues, purples, etc. i''ve never seen nurses working with extreme hair colors except for the occaisional blonde swimmer with green hair, or black-haired gals with deep burgandy or purple henna rinses. we used to have a housekeeper with raggedy ann red braids, but she was terminated after refusing to comply with the dress code. (or so the story goes.) i'd think it would be an issue with interviews. personally, i think the first few years of nursing are hard enough; i wouldn't want to risk the negative attention. but then, i'm middle-aged, middle class and mid-western so maybe i'm old fashioned!