Minor Self Harm Scars - Can I be denied employment?

Nurses Nurse Beth

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Hi Nurse Beth,

Can I be denied a job as an ER nurse due to minor self harm scars?

They are located on 1 thigh, and only one small scar is visible. But will they deny me the job position of a nurse due to this?

Dear Minor Scars,

No, you will not be denied employment due to self harm scars. The employer will not ask how you acquired the scars, and there is no reason for you to volunteer any health information you do not wish to reveal. Scars do not affect your ability to do your job whatsoever.

The only time you need to disclose health information is if you are requesting a medical accommodation.

Don't worry, in no way will this set you back as a nurse.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med-Surg.

Nurse Beth is right; nobody will ever ask. I would not volunteer the information. If you feel you must share, wait until you're established in your job and no longer probationary. Your job performance by that time will determine their attitudes towards you and I doubt your past will be an issue for you. But until then, why take the chance?

I agree. I have some scars on me. Some accident related, some self inflicted. I've never been asked about them. If it makes you self-conscious, cover them like you would a tattoo, for the first month. After that, no one's likely to notice them. Even then, highly unlikely anyone will ask, but if anyone does, just say, "I don't remember, it was so long ago." It is no ones business but your own.

If you inflicted these scars then your mental health status should be checked out. How do they know you won't harm others. Also obviously uness you volunteer how you got your scars info how in the world would they find out. I'm just worried about your thinking process and how it may affect your critical thinking as a nurse.

Specializes in Oncology, Rehab, Public Health, Med Surg.
If you inflicted these scars then your mental health status should be checked out. How do they know you won't harm others. Also obviously uness you volunteer how you got your scars info how in the world would they find out. I'm just worried about your thinking process and how it may affect your critical thinking as a nurse.

This is inappropiate, stigmatizing, and just outright wrong.

Having a past that includes self-harm does not in anyway reflect on her ability to critically think and certainly does not imply that s/he will hurt others!!

And we have all self- harmed in the past. Overeating to obesity, drinking, pills, destructive behaviors have left scars on us all. Only difference is, OP, your scars are on the outside.

I agree. I was in a major car wreck. Was in a coma for 7 days and now have seizures which are controlled. I also lost my sense of smell so that is all I disclose to the employer at the interview since smell may affect those I take care of. I am unable to work in Pediatrics or the Burn Unit where smell can be a factor in taking care of those patients. I worked 11 years in the ER and they loved me for it. I took care of a lot of the GI bleeds and changed people a lot for other Nurses. If you are continuing to harm yourself then it me be something you will need to seek help for, but an employer should not ask those questions.

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.
If you inflicted these scars then your mental health status should be checked out. How do they know you won't harm others. Also obviously uness you volunteer how you got your scars info how in the world would they find out. I'm just worried about your thinking process and how it may affect your critical thinking as a nurse.

If the OP is still self-harming, they do need help in order to learn healthy coping mechanisms. Volunteering to explain scars at a job interview is not the way to go about getting such help.

Not sure why you feel there is a relationship between self-harming and harming others.

Probably the exact opposite is true- unfortunately, they internalize their pain and take it out on themselves.

Critical thinking as a nurse won't be affected but the OP may have more than an average level of compassion. :)

Specializes in Psych.

Am I missing something? If they are located on your thigh how is that going to be seen? A person's past self harm should not be a deterrent to being an excellent nurse but I wouldn't advertise this as people can be biased.

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