Newcomer with a few questions

[xvillainx]

First off, Hi!

I'm planning to start nursing school in a few months, and I was wondering how much of a problem tattoos are. I have tattoos on both forearms and one on my right hand. The one on my hand is a hindu Om symbol in a lotus flower, a memorial for a close friend who died in iraq. I wouldn't say I have a daunting appearance or anything, but I don't know how picky hospitals are about ink.

Another thing is, I generally wear a full beard and mustache and though I understand that can be a problem with respirators, as well as airborne pathogens and parasites, but is it generally tolerated by hospitals? I don't have too much of a problem with partially shaving, but I would prefer not to.

Thanks for the info, and have a nice day.

[iono12345]

As some have stated it is a trend in today's culture, now I'm older and will soon embark on a nursing career. However, currently I work in a somewhat professional environment, upon my first meeting with employers and co-workers I always cover my one tattooed arm. I find that for some reason people feel uncomfortable when they first meet me and see my tattoos, might be the what is this old guy doing with tattoos, back in his day only criminals had them (although normally soldiers, lots of green ink)...this is a great thread as I've been wondering how I would wear short sleeves working in a clinic type of environment as at work I always tried to wear long sleeve no matter the temps....