Nurses with tattoos and piercings

[emmygirle]

I am going to begin nursing school next year. I went to a tour of the school and asked a current student if tattoos and piercings are allowed. He said yes because theres a girl that attends the school and she is covered in tattoos. He said the tattoo being visible is better than it being covered with a bandage especially if you have tattoos on your wrist. Patients dont want a nurse with her wrist wrapped up. I agreed and thought he made a good point. I have a lip ring above my lip which if i have to am willing to take out and I have a couple ear piercings. I have a tattoo on my arm which would be covered with scrubs. I just really love tattoos and would love to have more. I always figured it would not matter since hospitals are always freezing can't I just wear a long sleeve shirt under my scrubs? I have seen doctors with tattoo sleeves in the area I live and nurses have told someone I know that they are allowed but I hear a lot of people tell me they are not. Thank you :)

[RunBabyRN]

I agree that it depends. I'd try not to have them in visible places. I have one across the back of my neck (a cover up of one I got there when I was 18), but that's the only one that's visible. The only comments I've heard in clinicals are compliments from other nurses and patients. I think as long as it's very neutral, not offensive, you could be okay.

Geographic location makes a big difference. If you live in a really conservative area, they might be less lenient.

I'd imagine the lip ring would need to come out anytime you're in the hospital. I'm waiting until I have a job to get my nose pierced again- I miss it, but I don't want to risk my job prospects to have it. Same goes for tattoos I want. I think about visibility when I'm choosing where to get inked.

[RunBabyRN]

Oh, and for the sleeves, some positions won't let you have long sleeves for infection control. You may also have to change into company scrubs depending on the unit. Just a couple of things to consider when you're looking to ink your arms.