Heavily Tättooed: Can I get into nursing???

Nurses General Nursing

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So....... Im a 20 year old Male and would like to get into the nursing field. The thing is Ive got alot of tattoos. Starting from my shoulder all the way down to my wrist on both arms(called sleeves). Im just wondering if nurses can get away with wearing long sleeve shirts, or if I could even wear a white long sleeve under the nursing uniform. Do any of you wear long sleeves? Or any of your co-workers? Some honest advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

So....... Im a 20 year old Male and would like to get into the nursing field. The thing is Ive got alot of tattoos. Starting from my shoulder all the way down to my wrist on both arms(called sleeves). Im just wondering if nurses can get away with wearing long sleeve shirts, or if I could even wear a white long sleeve under the nursing uniform. Do any of you wear long sleeves? Or any of your co-workers? Some honest advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

I am not sure where you live but I know that in most of the hospitals in which I have worked here in TN, I have seen many people have tattoos, maybe not sleeves but I would not let that stop you from becoming a nurse. There are many hopsitals that will let you wear a long sleeve t-shirt underneath your scrubs. We need you in the field!!

YukonDave,

Forget about your tattoos. If you want to be a nurse, don't let that hold you back. We all have a past and a passion. I've got tattoos and I am in a Nurse Anesthesia program. Don't try to hide who you are either, if you feel more comfortable keeping them covered for now than go ahead, I did at first. I am an ICU nurse and I think people now judge me by my skills. i say go for it.

Ramon

Another thing to consider might be something like Covermark or Coverblend, if you don't mind using cosmetics to cover things up. Harder for men to get away with, especially if their arms are hairy, but worth a try. Forget Dermablend, it's not as waterproof as it claims to be. If you didn't want to wear long sleeves all the time, it is an option to consider...

So....... Im a 20 year old Male and would like to get into the nursing field. The thing is Ive got alot of tattoos. Starting from my shoulder all the way down to my wrist on both arms(called sleeves). Im just wondering if nurses can get away with wearing long sleeve shirts, or if I could even wear a white long sleeve under the nursing uniform. Do any of you wear long sleeves? Or any of your co-workers? Some honest advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

At 48, I went back to school to become a Nurse,,,,I just graduated this past July~ Whats a few Tattoos!!! Go for it!!!! Places you work may not appericate your choice of ART, but then thats why they make scrub jackets, or long sleeve shirts........... I tell my granddaugter all the time, she needs to remember what each of my tats are.... I sure dont want some nurses aid starring at them going,,, hummmmm I wonder what that is ,when I am old enough to take residences in the nursing home I work at... Good luck in your venture~~~~~~

I wear long sleeved shirts and so do many other guys and women under their scrub tops, especially since Hospitals are so cold all the time to keep bacterial growth down. Come fall and winter everyone wears long sleeves. Come summer time you may sweat your butt off though especially with a very busy assignment and especially when you have a patient in isiolation. Each and everytime your enter the room, a hot paper gown, gloves, masks, goggles.............ssshhhewwww :chuckle

So....... Im a 20 year old Male and would like to get into the nursing field. The thing is Ive got alot of tattoos. Starting from my shoulder all the way down to my wrist on both arms(called sleeves). Im just wondering if nurses can get away with wearing long sleeve shirts, or if I could even wear a white long sleeve under the nursing uniform. Do any of you wear long sleeves? Or any of your co-workers? Some honest advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

A few of the male nurses I work with never wear scrubs. Instead, they wear khakis & button down shirts. A few females on my floor do, too. I'm on your basic med-surg floor at a university hospital. For school you may have to wear a long-sleeve shirt under your scrub top, however.

I actually registered for this board just to answer this question because I was so nervous before starting nursing school because of my very visible tattoos and had no one to ask....

I am a fourth year nursing student in Toronto, Canada and I have half-sleeves. I have had no negative experiences with my tattoos so far.

There are ALL kinds of people in the world, I truly believe that there should be all kinds of nurses. I know that some people may see them as unprofessional, but I have felt this attidude changing in the past five years, since tattoos are so much more common these days. The Health Care Providers at my clinical placements haven't even blinked an eye at my tattoos, if my school experience is any thing like when I am looking for a job, I truly think people are looking for skill and intelligence over anything else.

Body modification of all kinds (for example plastic surgery) is sooo common these days, I really find that people are beginning to be more open to people making personal choices about their bodies.

My tattoos have not stopped me from having amazing relationships with patients, and I have received more questions than anything else (I even got to compare my tattoos with this old Navy guy's!).

Good luck and don't be intimidated!!! We need ALL KINDS OF NURSES in our amazingly diverse world!!!

xoxoox

This was such a good topic! I too have tattoos, the largest on my back. I also made the professional choice to keep it below the scrub mark! However, I do have my nose pierced and my lobes stretched. The most difficulty I have had is in school with my nose piercing. One instructor told me I had to remove it. I calmly and politely stated that I really didn't want to. Well, the next week she came to me and said I could keep it, unless someone at the clinical site complained. Well, no one ever complained so no problemo. Personally, I wouldn't cover my tattoos c makeup. I feel like that is way too much compliance with the 'normalcy' rule! Just the thought of sucombing to makeup makes me cringe :uhoh3: . Like so many people have said, there is always clothing to help ease other people's issues!

Good luck to you...never let your personal style stop you from pushing forward towards your own success! I work really hard to break people's stereotypes!

m

Specializes in Critical care.

I wouldn't freak to much about your tats. I too have several tats that are visible. I did have to cover them with some of my Instructors but most just wanted to see what they were, or show me the ones they had. I also rode my Harley to clinicals and to school. Just simply ask what their rules are and follow them. I doubt you will be descriminated against.

So....... Im a 20 year old Male and would like to get into the nursing field. The thing is Ive got alot of tattoos. Starting from my shoulder all the way down to my wrist on both arms(called sleeves). Im just wondering if nurses can get away with wearing long sleeve shirts, or if I could even wear a white long sleeve under the nursing uniform. Do any of you wear long sleeves? Or any of your co-workers? Some honest advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Have you considered removing the tats with laser?

why would he consider having them removed???? it sounds like he likes them. he shouldn't have to have them removed. I have a tat and plan on getting more. it is who i am. i wouldn't mind being taken care by a person with tats.

Specializes in Mostly Peds.

I have to tell this story. Tatoos do not bother me, but, a while back when I was a supervisor at a nursing home, I had a male CNA who on casual dress day came in wearing colorful silk scarf, white thin blouse with a red bra...yes I said a red bra, I almost fell out. I called him into an office and informed him that he works in a nursing home, and the geriatric set was not ready to see a guy wearing a RED bra, much the less a bra alone, and he had to go home and change...He said, but, it's casual day, and there is no dress code for casual day...I agreed there was no dress code...but for the sake of sanity for the patient's....please go home and change!!!! Good luck with choosing a nursing career, we sure need nurses, tatoo's or not!!!!

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