African American Hair Problems in Nursing

[desertstar6]

I'm not sure how many people can help me with this problem but here it is. I can't keep up with my relaxed hair and want to get box braids for low maintenance . There are other people at my job that have box braids; however, I got an interview with my dream job. I'm worried that is I get box braids that I'll look unprofessional. So would it be ok if I went to the interview with the braids or keep my hair relaxed till I landed the job?

[TheGerb, MSN]

I'm so sorry this is even something you have to worry about. I would say that as long as it is neat and pulled back and up appropriately for infection prevention, it should be ok.

[mhusen5]

Aspiring..

Common sense says:

If you are interviewing for a dream job that you really want, you've done what it takes to be knowledgeable about that company and it's policies.

You make adjustments that fit their expectations...if you want the job.

They hire the individual that will be an asset to their company.

That's the image you want to project.

If that offends you, it's not a good job fit...keep looking!

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Thread starter consider joining an online community meant for African American hair care because I highly doubt you're going to get thoughtful, insightful answers from a mixed community where most neither understand the racial implications of African American hair or its styling needs.

Well, I have been silently following this thread and I am one of the "pearly-whites".

I have not opined on the topic. I cannot speak as a hiring manager, only as a coworker. I looked up the box braids and recognized them as a style I have seen on both nurses and mostly, on a couple of our neonatologists. I personally like them. But let me repeat, I have no hiring power.

I also would like to express that reading this thread has really enlightened me and helped me understand things I would never have known about, considered or even thought about; if it had been kept on an exclusive African-American hair care site.

[DEE S.]

Find a nice lace front looking wig...I have one that looks very real, with a built in part. Its my go to on a bad hair day. This way you can get your braids now if you can't hold off. Make sure you wear a suit on all interviews. It always ups the game in nursing cause its unexpected.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

I have been natural for about 3 years now and when I was on interviews, it was twisted out. I had to learn to embrace my beautiful natural hair and I have been fortunate that my interview skills and not my hair got me my job.

Sent via iPink's phone using allnurses

[Racer15, BSN, RN]

One of our ER docs has boxed braids. They look great on her and I think she would look weird with relaxed hair., lol. I say get the braids if you like them.

[AspiringNurseMW]

Aspiring..

Common sense says:

If you are interviewing for a dream job that you really want, you've done what it takes to be knowledgeable about that company and it's policies.

You make adjustments that fit their expectations...if you want the job.

They hire the individual that will be an asset to their company.

That's the image you want to project.

If that offends you, it's not a good job fit...keep looking!

and I agree. I personally, would not have thought twice of the "professionalism" of haavinf the box braids. If a hiring manager would turn me down because of it, I would most definitely keep on walking.

For me, to say that ethnic hairstyles such as box braids or natural hair are unprofessional as a company policy, speaks volumes about the management that implemented this rule. It speaks volumes of the hiring manager who would have bias against that.

But I also have the luxury of having lived in NYC where this is a non issue and now in northeast PA where nursing jobs, even for new grads, abound. People graduating from my ASN program are practically guaranteed jobs within 6 months or less.

[Libby1987]

So what's wrong with brightly colored hair if it's pulled back and tidy? If hair doesn't matter and safety isn't compromised..

[Libby1987]

If I wanted to change perception re cultural hair style it would be on the other side of the hiring process. To change the bias, how about securely employed nurses start sporting these styles instead of encouraging someone in the process of a job search to be the lamb?

[Andi777]

It's not that the box braids themselves. It's if a prospective employer would have an unfavorable view/bias of an applicant who has their hair in box braids because they deem the style unprofessional, particularly because that hairstyle is normally specific to certain ethnicities /groups

--

Thanks for the clarification.

Here's my wordy reply:

Going back to the OP: if it is a question in the applicants mind of having a successful interview, then next the question to pose to the self: is having this job the priority? Expression of self? Income? I have NO idea what the importance or needs are of the OP, but from the sounds of it, the mention of race & hair style were stressed. If it wasn't, it wouldn't be included in the post.

We are interviewing for NOT just a job but a professional career. The assumption is not personal expression! it is fitting in with the defined Code of Ethics in nursing that we are taught are OUR code of ethics. Is that not what we all studied?

So... given this, it is reasonable to believe that one's attire, appearance and mannerisms would be conservative, professional, respectful and appropriate. What place is there for the outrage of: don't step on MY rights for personal expression? This is a client centered profession.

If in anyway I could change something (much like a client would make modifiable lifestyle changes to avoid a negative future health problem) that would give me the advantage of attaining a job, then I would do it. I love nursing, I need a job and I cannot wait to be in a community of others who care about similar things.

What did that mean to me during my interviews? I removed religious-oriented jewelry, wore appropriate interview clothing, shoes, covered any tattoos and removed piercings.

Perhaps when I am working for a few weeks or months, it will become more clear what the expectations are. What is or is not accepted. And even then, I want to advance in my career and plan to model the actions of those positions.

So go with your gut: if it feels like an uncomfortable decision that needs the opinion of many many others ... then you already know the answer.

Finally: if you do not want to work for an organization that you feel is not a good fit (for any reason YOU deem important) then you should not work there. Going back to nursing 101, if the job is not in line with your values/ethics, then it would reasonable to move on with your search.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

If I wanted to change perception re cultural hair style it would be on the other side of the hiring process. To change the bias, how about securely employed nurses start sporting these styles instead of encouraging someone in the process of a job search to be the lamb?

I wore box braids for many years. I cannot wear them anymore because they cause my scalp to throb for the first few days, and also because the synthetic hair causes my scalp to itch.

There's a term in the AA community to refer to people like me: 'tender-headed.'

[Red Kryptonite]

So what's wrong with brightly colored hair if it's pulled back and tidy? If hair doesn't matter and safety isn't compromised..

Frankly.....NOTHING. And I think as you see the generations beneath the baby boomers take control, it will become less and less of an issue. Where I work, we already have pretty liberal policies about tattoos, hair color, and even certain facial piercings. Someday the color you choose to put in your hair and the crystal in your nose will be the nonissues they really are.