Tattoos in healthcare

Nurses Professionalism

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Just curious about others' thoughts on tattoos or other modifications in healthcare. I work in long term care, which tends to be more conservative in dress codes. Facial piercing and ear gauges are not permitted, visible tattoos are becoming acceptable as long as they are not offensive. The last facility I worked at had a rule about hair color, and your scrubs had to match. No joke. How restrictive is your work place? And have you ever seen a senior member of administration with any body modifications? I am going for m MSN in administration and I have several large tattoos. (Most covered by pants and a lab coat-one wrist, but I am planning on full sleeves when I have the money).

Specializes in Pediatrics.

I'm actually surprised to see so many opinions that mirror mine. This is an isue that usually gets people all riled up. The reality is, society judges. They shouldm't, but they do. Imagine if I came into work with a tank/short sleeved dress shirt, sporting a tattoo on my arm. Imagine if I put my hair in a nice, professional bun, and had a tattoo on the back of my neck? I would be the "tattoo Professor". No matter how good I am at my job, that would be the immediate first impression. I could be the kindest, most caring, most competent nurse, but inevitably people will take a double take (see next paragraph for my rationale). Since I have been a nurse since the age of 20, it was always something that weighed into my decision (I still do not have one, and if I did get one, it would be in a place NEVER to be seen by students, fellow colleagues or patients).

My hubby, OTOH, has a number of them. He also has a piercing in an obvious place. He is not a nurse. None of them are visible while wearing his work attire. He has toyed around with the idea of getting one on his forearm. I am not a fan of it. I don't love him any less because of his body art (he had 3/4 of them before we met). When we first met, all people could say to me is "what's with the piercing and tattoos?" Yes, my judgmental family and friends, who really are down to earth in every other way.

I'm sorry if I offend anyone, but I think there is an age where you become too old to just throw a word, saying or picture permanently on a random area of your body. I also believe that people who say "I don't care what other people think, or if people stare at me" are lying. If they didn't want people to stare, they wouldn't get tattoos in such conspicuous places.

Specializes in APRN, ACNP-BC, CNOR, RNFA.

I have 5 tattoos, and briefly considered a small dermal piercing, but felt it was pushing the envelope. I am a Surgical NP, and my professionalism speaks for itself in that my patients love me. I have 1 tattoo on my wrist that is covered by a watch, but when I scrub into surgery, it is seen be everyone. I view tattoos like jewelry and make-up, it's pretty to look at, and it's up to the individual as to how much you wear. Ironically, I'm a minimalist when it comes to jewelry and make-up, as I only wear silver balls in my ears, and no make-up at all.

Think about full sleeves 20 years from now. :cry:

For most people getting a tattoo is personal, so it it represents something in your life it shouldn't matter what it looks like in 20yrs I doubt that a female with an arm tattooed is going to be walking around in clothes like a boob tube, or spaghetti top.

I can't wait to be able to afford my half sleeve. There's a saying amongst people with ink 'tattooed people don't care whether you're tattooed or not'

Freedom of expression through art.

I have two tattoos and want a third.... both of mine are hidden now. I have one on my right lower back and one on my left ankle. I'd like a small wrist tattoo but I do worry because that would be "more" visible than the ones I have currently.[/quote']

You'd be surprised, I have a wrist tattoo and no one notices it unless I'm handing paper or something to someone.

Specializes in Med/Surg & Hospice & Dialysis.

Patients like to touch the one on my wrist. It is an olive green outline. I get asked frequently if it is real. Have never had a patient say anything negative about it.

My nose is pierced and I wear a tiny stud in it. I have taken care of people multiple times before they noticed it. (We frequently have patients that stay >1 month at a time)

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

I AM upper management. I have a tat on my ankle that is visible when I wear a dress or skirt. It has never had anything to do with getting or not getting a job.Some of the toughest residents in my building like me because I have a tat and can sit around with them and talk about our ink.

Specializes in Emergency Room, Trauma ICU.

I personally have 6, none visable in work clothes. No one is saying you can't have tats or piercings, just none that are visable, mainly hands and neck. And if you're management not only are you supposed to follow policy you also have to enforce it.

I hv a white tatt on my wrist. You hv to really look to see it. I work in Ltc.

Specializes in MDS/ UR.
When people say this I truly don't understand. If my tattoos are the most worrisome part of my life in 20 years, I think I will be doing well.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~

What holds your heart, how see yourself and who are today will likely be way different down the road.

Full sleeve tattoos are a major commitment. They are permanent and so visible.

I have seen more regret and tries to reverse them in my age group.

That is why I say that.

It has nothing to do with making anyone feel inferior or puffing up my esteem.

If someone wishes to do so. Really, I could personally care less. It's old news in my world. I was getting tattoos back when females didn't do that. I had things pierced that were not mainstream.

Honestly, I don't even see anything radical or original any more about tattoos, piercings, gages or coloring. It is hardly avaunt guard and rather passé. Just about everyone does it, its pretty standard.

I am so glad that mine are small and in places that unless I allow you to see them, you would never know about them. Even now, I would have skipped two of them if I could change it.

Best to you.

Specializes in MDS/ UR.
For most people getting a tattoo is personal, so it it represents something in your life it shouldn't matter what it looks like in 20yrs I doubt that a female with an arm tattooed is going to be walking around in clothes like a boob tube, or spaghetti top.

I can't wait to be able to afford my half sleeve. There's a saying amongst people with ink 'tattooed people don't care whether you're tattooed or not'

Freedom of expression through art.

I have been in the tribe 30 plus years. Old news.

As long as you can cover them who cares? I cover mine by wearing long sleeves under my scrub top.

Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.

I have one tattoo on my left upper back. It can't be seen by while in uniform. I think placement of the tattoo does have a lot to do with it if you're concerned about where your career will lead to.

I don't know if it's the actual having tattoos that people find distasteful, or what the tattoo is of?

My former DON has plenty of ink. She's gotta be close to 60 years old, and gravity has not been kind to the ones by her boobs. For that reason alone, they should be covered, but that's just IMO.

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