Tattoos/Piercings in the workplace?

Nurses Professionalism

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catladyRN

20 Posts

I have a half-sleeve, some scattered arm tattoos, leg and back pieces, and a few others scattered about. Even though I'm very proud of my artwork I prefer to keep it covered at work, not because it looks "professional" but because I want the focus to be on my patients and not my tattoos.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Emergency, CEN.

Also, as a patient, I would be more scared of what germs I'm going to get infected with from whatever scab encrusted wound was under the bandage rather than just a tattoo of a butterfly or something.

TBlase

54 Posts

Americans have always been puritanical and hypocrites. Look at Prohibition. Let's ban booze so we can drink more than we did before Prohibition. And my vice is better and more acceptable than your vice. And my tatto is gorgeous, but your piercing is revolting, and unprofessional. And look at medicinal weed, and legalizing weed in general- as they legalize it, they forge new ways to arrest people on loopholes to generate more revenue, fill more jails. But a sea change will take place by the time the babies of the baby boomers get to old age- just look at the thrust of gay marriage? In 20 or 30 years, we will certainly be the Unites States of San Francisco. Then, we'll remember how sill and embarassing we were way back when, talking about anything as of no consequence as tatoos? Until then though it's often said that since older people are currently more on conservative bent, and they make up the bulk of patients, that for the time being tattoos and etc. are 'taboo' in many situations.

DizzyLizzyNurse

1,024 Posts

Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

I think it's funny how so many people think it should be ok to have what they have but anything else isn't cool.

I have a hidden tattoo. My ears are pierced up several times apiece. I had a tongue ring that my residents LOVED when I worked in LTC. My belly button is pierced. I'd love a small nose ring or eyebrow ring, but I'm leery of getting something on my face (infection or scarring). I personally don't see anything wrong with it.

DizzyLizzyNurse

1,024 Posts

Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.
And my vice is better and more acceptable than your vice. And my tatto is gorgeous, but your piercing is revolting, and unprofessional.[/quote

Exactly!!

dotoriffic

49 Posts

You also don't see short, chubby super models....everything is subjective and that is why hospitals and medical facilities make generalized dress codes. Corporate America, fashion magazines etc...do it too. One patient may think the tattoo/piercing is cool but the others may be offended by it. I personally have no problem with either but to follow hospital policy and keep my position there, I cover up my tattoo and keep to plain earrings.

SionainnRN

914 Posts

Specializes in Emergency Room, Trauma ICU.

Every hospital I've worked at had a dress code: no visible tattoos or piercings other than ears. I'm behind this policy 100% and luckily so is the hospital. People have been sent home or made to change to make sure they abide by it. The dress code has nothing to do with competency and everything to do with professionalism.

I wouldn't trust a lawyer who showed up in shorts, tshirt, covered in tattoos and piercings. I would want them in a suit and tie with no visible tattoos and piercings in sight. I don't care if he has full sleeves and a Prince Albert, but at work dress appropriately for your job!!

jwheeler7791

330 Posts

I wouldn't trust a lawyer who showed up in shorts, tshirt, covered in tattoos and piercings. I would want them in a suit and tie with no visible tattoos and piercings in sight. I don't care if he has full sleeves and a Prince Albert, but at work dress appropriately for your job!!

So.. trust is determined by physical appearance rather than competency, skill, and moral character?

I'll take someone who looked 'trashy' or 'informal' and who was competent, trustworthy, and skilled at their trade over someone who was dressed to the hilt and a disgrace to their profession any day. But, that is just me...

duskyjewel

1,335 Posts

Specializes in hospice.

Wow, whoda thunk it? My employer in conservative Arizona has one of the most liberal policies on tattoos and piercings? Our summer newsletter just came out last month, discussing appropriate, professional dressing choices for our very hot months. About tattoos it said that we should be thoughtful about subject matter and placement and how our patients might regard them. I've seen many coworkers with visible tattoos. On piercings, it said that ears and a discreet nose piercing less than 1mm in diameter are allowed. (I assume that means on the side and not a ring through the middle.) Honestly, I've never seen any employer specifically state that any facial piercing is allowed before. Since I was already thinking of getting my nose re-pierced, that was welcome news! When I did clinicals in a LTC facility, and when I worked at the hospital, I also saw co-workers, including nurses, aides, transport techs, and many others with visible tattoos. Unless you're sporting Mediaographic images or hate symbols, I don't see what the huge deal is. I'm very conservative, politically, socially, and religiously, and I have no problem with tattoos in general. Most facial piercings and neck/facial tattoos reflect poor judgement, IMO, but if you are mature enough to accept the possible consequences that come from having them, go for it. Fair or not, they will probably limit your employment opportunities. I find it odd, though, that this "older generation" we hear used so often as an excuse for non-acceptance of tattoos is the same one that is comprised of GenX's (my) grandparents, on whom we saw all those cool WWII and Korean War tattoos growing up. Makes me wanna say, "Really?" Ace Ventura-style. :cautious:

RNsRWe, ASN, RN

3 Articles; 10,428 Posts

So.. trust is determined by physical appearance rather than competency, skill, and moral character? ....

No, that's not what was said. Competency, skill and moral character aren't going to be the thing that people see when the professional walks through the door; those aren't immediately recognizable traits. But face and body modifications are. A professional image and appearance are what ALLOWS the professional person to GAIN another's trust.

You can't show how competent you are if the prospective patient/client turns around and walks away because she thinks you don't look like you belong there.

Competency can't be recognized at one glance, but a professional appearance? Instant.

Guess that's all I have to say on that. Wanted to weigh in my opinions, and did that.

I love my tattoos. I've been on multiple job interviews and have not hidden them. Near the end of the interview I always ask about the policy of the facility and it has never been an issue. I was just accepted into an FNP masters program. Nowhere on the application did it say "better not have any large visible tattoos!" It's all about being clean, neat, and put together. I'm never ever sloppy looking. I know people judge my ink. I don't want to give them what they are looking for. I save my heavy metal tees and jeans and leather jacket for the off hours :)

BonnieBorcyk

7 Posts

Ivory white tower - nurses should never have tattoos.

Real world - people have them and many times people don't even notice. Patients can't tell you have a tattoo at all if it's covered up, obviously.

My opinion - The best nurse I've ever met had visible tattoos and her nose pierced. She was just a great nurse who loved her job (still does). However, even she noticed that sometimes patients treated her disrespectfully. Some people love or hate tattoos or piercings, just like you get the occasional patient who will NOT work with a black nurse, or a male nurse, or an Asian nurse, or a female doctor. People have their prejudices, but at least you can cover up a tattoo...

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