Nursing and Piercings?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hey guys

I was wondering if nurses are allowed to have any piercings that are visible... like on your face

I wanted to get an eyebrow piercing at the arch of my eyebrow but I know that you're not allowed to have any jewelry at work, only little makeup, small hair clips and small earrings.

I really want to be a nurse but for me piercings and tattoos are such a bit part of self-expression.

I was thinking of getting one where I can cover it easily, but I can't get the idea of piercings my eyebrow out of my head!

Are you allowed to have piercings???

(Is that a good idea, to have a piercing when you're a nurse?

If you would get a piercing, where would it be?)

:rolleyes:

Specializes in cardiac, diabetes, OB/GYN.

Well, this will probably start a war...How come male nurses can have beards? I don't have a piercing, but always wanted a small one outside nostril....I see both points ( no piercing pun intended), but I think most places are way too strict....

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Specializes in CV-ICU.

You know, I have seen elderly patients (and a few not so old ones too!) grab any and all available body parts when they are confused and agitated. I just don't feel like I want to give them one more thing to grab. I once had this tiny ancient lady grab my nipple and twist it for all she was worth- thank goodness I wasn't pierced or she would have ripped any jewelry out without trying.

I also think that multiple piercings and tattoos should not be on any professionals, nurses in particular. The majority of our patients are the elderly, we are trying to help them heal and should not be presenting them with any mental or emotional discomfort at a time when they are already often stressed from their illness and from their needing to be dependant on others. Anything that we do that marks us as "our just being individuals" may be something that can alienate them from the very help they need.

I think back to my DH's dear Aunt Hazel being 83 and in a rehab unit (after she broke her hip last year) where about 90% of the employees were black and she had never been exposed to any different races before. Her confusion was worsened by the fact that there were so few whites around (sorry, but her small town in Minnesota did not have blacks; I am not being racist here; just stating the fact). After her confusion cleared, she told me she thought that everyone "dressed funny" in that rehab unit-- I do remember her telling several of the CNA's that they had "nice outfits" but only later figured out what she meant. BTW, she was also legally blind, so don't judge her as racist either.

As a nurse, I reallly feel my duty is to my patients: and sometimes the best thing I can do is try to blend in with what they recognize as familiar faces. Tattoos and multiple piercings just aren't that common here in the Midwest.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I say what I say, Wuiteroz cause it is true. Are you a nurse yet? just wondering.

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.

I don't think piercings and tats have a place in any professional environment, especially one that is struggling as it is. This is not to say I dislike piercings - I don't. I've seen some noserings that can look very tasteful. But the way I look at it, I'm at work and I'm a hired employee there to do my job and represent myself as a nurse at the time and nothing more. I'm also a gardener, but I don't wear my gardening hat to work or my ripped jeans and garden gloves.

When it's hot outside, I'd love nothing more than to wear my open-toed platform sandals to work, but I can't. Employment rules are just that - rules. When I'm at work I'm a nurse. When I'm not, I'm many other things and that's when I express myself the most.

Face it, at work, the best way you can express your "individuality" is by doing a damn good job - nothing more.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Originally posted by Wuiteroz

Looks very nice, actually. BUT NOT AT WORK As a NURSE. I stand by what I say.

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Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes

I say what I say, Wuiteroz cause it is true. Are you a nurse yet? just wondering.

I'm getting there ;)

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Specializes in LTC, ER, ICU,.

great post, angus.

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"our" appearance has become to relaxed at work. i am neither allergic to nor afraid of any one's individuality, however, professionalism should be the unifying expression at our work places.

"we" want to be treated like a group of professionals but "we" are dressing and acting totally opposite.

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While l was at school some of the students had eyebrow piercings, one worked part time at a hospital and he never cover it up.

While on placings they weren't told to cover them, some of the guys also had a couple of earrings as well.

l have a navel piercing and a tattoo (on my back).

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You know what?

If my facility forbidded piercings and tatoos at work, they would cut off half of the nightshift staff I work with!!!! Some have eyebrow, tongue and multiple earring piercings, and guess what, they are wonderful nurses!!!

;)

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Originally posted by RoadRunner

You know what?

If my facility forbidded piercings and tatoos at work, they would cut off half of the nightshift staff I work with!!!! Some have eyebrow, tongue and multiple earring piercings, and guess what, they are wonderful nurses!!!

;)

:kiss

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