Tattoos and nursing

mickeygirl · Oct 1, 2005

Thanks everyone- I know I didn't pose this quesiton but now I have made up my mind- WHEN I graduate from nursing school in Aug 2006- A tat will be a gift to myself. I am 38 and I have wanted one all of my life but for other professional jobs and FEAR I never got one. But as long as I can keep it hidden (on my ankle) I think I can finally get my small Mickey Mouse on my ankle (now to convince my DH!!!) :coollook:

BTW-They are strict about our dress and hair and such at our school but they haven't said a word about tats or for that matter piercings. I can't pull off piercing though- I am a klutz! I have had my earings torn through too many times by kids in daycare so I am really cautious with earings.

primadonna · Oct 1, 2005

Hello,

I think tattoos and excessive piercings look unprofessional for anyone. If people are going to have tattoos and try to appear professional at work, they should be wear clothing should cover them up. It is your right to have tattoos, but it is also someones right when hiring you to not hire you based on them. Have you ever seen an elderly man that had tons of tattoos on their skin as they have aged, they no longer look so cool! Also there are issues with people having MRI's and tattooed skin. Something to think about.

KaroSnowQueen, RN · Oct 1, 2005

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I just don't think piercings or tattoos look professional. We are nurses, we always talk about professionalism, but some of us don't always look/act that way. I would be appalled to have a doctor or lawyer with multiple piercings and/or tattoos come in to see me.

Maybe it's because two of my kids have multiple piercings and tattoos and I often think of them as rebellious, and irresponsible???? Therefore I have a transferrence reaction when I see piercings/tattoos on others??

ShayRN · Oct 1, 2005

I just recently, at age 35, got my first tattoo and I love it. You would never know, if I didn't tell you, that I have one. It is on my back, right shoulder blade. You will never in your life meet anyone more responsible than me. I left home at 17, my dh and I put both ourselves and each other through college. I have been married over 13 years, own a home and have two beautiful children. My tattoo is a dolphin swimming underwater with coral and fish around it. I have loved dolphins my whole life and decided I wanted to express that with beautiful art on me. I have beautiful paintings in my home that show a lot about my personality and now I have one on my back. It is not that I am less of a professional at all. It is just one way I show my individuality. Besides, my husband told me he thinks it is sexy as......:rotfl:

Sean 91 · Nov 21, 2005

Sveral of the nurses on my floor have tattoos, including a charge. Helps to identify with many patients on med-surg. No one cares.

SinfulCNA27 · Nov 21, 2005

well i continusly buck the system!!!! i'm am so sick and tired of people commenting on what i look like rather than the excellent job i do. i am no way shape or form scary:angryfire at all and i have never had a pt. say so to me or anyone else. i currently have 7 tattoos and 13 body piercings (including 4 in my face) and i had to take them out for clinicals. but it was allowed on another girl in my class. i even offered to put retainers in them so they were not visible but still left the hole open so i could insert the jewlery again in my free time. all my tattoos are covered up by my srubs...i'd have to show them to you for you to see them. i feel like this...i'm still in school...i'm actually pay you to teach me but you feel the need to restrict what i wear, how i wear it and how i chose to decorate myself. i have no say so at all about anything, yet i continue to pay you b/c i so dream to be a nurse. why must adults have a dress code anyway???? white scrubs....closed back shoes...no piercings/tattoos....natural colored hair, etc. they even tell us what underwear to wear to clinicals. now that is where i draw the line people!!! :angryfire i'm tempted to walk into clincals in hot pink panties!!! and what is the difference between earrings and tongue rings anyway? it's still a man-made hole in your body...weather one is more mainstream than the other should make no difference. i say all or nothing. and dont get me started about the girl in my class who has a tattoo on her neck that says f*ck!!!:angryfire she walks around proud all day long...with her head shaved!!! ohhh this is a hot topic for me!!!

sinn

Human nurse · Dec 13, 2005

they even tell us what underwear to wear to clinicals.

too funny. what if you wore mens briefs...

as for tats i have one, and am thinking about another but i have to agree that they can look unprofessional. i used to work with a really nice guy but he had some scary looking tattoos, he looked liked a charlie manson ex-con and i feel that he needed to cover those things up.

popcornRN · Dec 17, 2005

it's really unfortunate for people being dictated by the norms of the society. :crying2:

but frankly, i really dont care. just like what the broad minded ones have said, as long as it (tats and piercings) affect your perfomance as a professional, tats and pirces pose no problem at all. :coollook:

i have 3 tats:

a tribal cross across my shoulders, a tribal insect like design on my right arm and a dragon at my left.

im even planning to have a praying angel on my lower back, just below the cross by next week. thank god, my co-workers aren't bothered by them.

by the way, i also have a tongue ring.:)

athena55, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2005

Hello All, just saw this posting as I am new to AllNurses.com (btw, I really appreciate this site! Smile)

Ahhh, the good ol' days when the nurses wore white, a nursing school pin and a cap on "her" head. As for me I have ten tattoos and several holes in each ear (but I am a bit squeamish about getting a nipple or tongue pierced on my body, hahaha)

For the most part, wearing scrubs kind of cover up my ink. I am in the Army Nurse Corps, and the"official" policy is..... As long as the tattoo is not "hate inspired or hateful, offensive language" and as long as the ink is not what is called sleeve ink (the whole length of ones arm) and none on the face or neck the Army will kind of ignore them. I heard tell that there is an official limit of seven, but obviously I guess it depends on who you see when you go for the MEPS and you have to list them.

Hope y'all have a very peaceful, happy and healthy New Year.

froghair · Jan 9, 2006

i have 3 tattoos but they are in spots that are covered so there is no real problem. i plan on getting more, probably in areas that will be in veiw. some work places can be real old fashioned about them but the attitude is changing

JenNJFLCA · Jan 9, 2006

I have 2 tatoos but I put them in places that could easily be covered. You never know what kind of job you'll be getting in the future! I was 19 and 23 when I got them...

stpauligirl · Jan 9, 2006

Ok so I have a question. I am going to be starting school soon to be a LPN. My question is I have a pretty good sized tattoo on my left wrist. It isnt offensive, its very pretty. It is a dragonfly. Do you all think I will have problems with employment and people taking me seriously after school is done. I want honest opinions. I will not get offended by anyhting any of you have to say. I am just trying to get all info I can. Thank You!

Wow I didn't know that after reading these posts that they are that strict about tatoos. I have been a patient many times and I have seen rather very expressive stuff on nurses and doctors alike....one of my anesthesiologists was a Harley fan, had a golden motorcycle chain as a bracelet and the matching headgear (funny hat with harley symbols and eagles etc) We had quite a good conversation :coollook: Interesting jewelry etc can be a good focal point when you are in pain and need something to divert your attention, as long as it is not offensive I think it can be a positive thing.