African American Hair Problems in Nursing

simplysw33t · Jan 25, 2015

I had twists put in my hair 5 days before I took my Nclex in October. Then I found out I passed and then thought of the same question you asked. I kept them in for 7 weeks while waiting for my actual license. BF was mad cuz he paid for them but I thought to myself my first impression for my first ever nursing job interview has to be damn near perfect. Plus 7 weeks is a long enough time anyway. My opinion, hold off until after you get the job. You never know, the person interviewing might have an issue with it. Here I am still waiting for an interview.ðŸ˜

You been waiting on a interview for how long now!

desertstar6 · Jan 25, 2015

Well I think it interesting too see everyone's view. I think this reflects nursing as a whole. There's not that many nurses (or at least in my area) that are minorities. In my class there was only 2 black people, 3 Asians, and 2 native Americans out of a graduating class.

mhusen5 · Jan 25, 2015

There is a lot of chit chat about some black hair styles being a deterrent to employment!

There is a lot of chit chat about some black hair styles not being acceptable in the nursing/hospital environment.

I have never heard of any nurse not being hired because of her hairstyle, if it were neat, contained and would not be hanging onto food trays, on patients, or into open wounds presenting an infection hazard.

I have never heard of any nurse, black or white, being fired, or not hired, because of her hair style..neatness does count.

I have sent several white nurses to the lounge to pull unruly, or long hair into something manageable, as an infection deterrent!

I have hired black nurses with corn rows, box braids, natural and relaxed hair providing they met personal, educational and experience standards.

My opinion is that this is simply a bogus issue of a false perception that has escalated.... but has absolutely no basis of fact.

Braids are not now, nor ever have been, a job deterrent, black or white.

The best thing you can do when interviewing for a nursing position is:

a) dress properly..jeans and scrubs are a no-no..really

b) have a neat hair style, (don't play with your hair!), make-up in moderation, easy with the perfume..whew

c) get rid of the black, purple, neon green nail polish on 2 inch fingernails..really

d) try to relax and not fidget ( that's a hard one)

d) be yourself, be confident

e) present your qualifications and speak clearly, don't mumble (remove 'you know', slang etc out of your vocabulary)

f) be knowledgeable about the requirements of the position..or be prepared to ask questions

g) state why you want that particular job or why you would be an asset in that position

h) if you want a dream job, sell your qualifications and experience

i) only the most qualified nurse is hired and it has nothing to do with skin color or box braids!!

j.if you think otherwise, that's your issue to deal with, because it's in my interest to hire the most qualified nurses black or white!

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2015

If you want greater success and potentially more jobs offers, experimenting with hair, clothes, or other is not wise for the interview. Wait until after you're hired.

Rntr · Jan 25, 2015

Thank you...

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2015

I have never heard of any nurse not being hired because of her hairstyle, if it were neat, contained and would not be hanging onto food trays, on patients, or into open wounds presenting an infection hazard.

Interviewers typically do not provide the real reason why a candidate was not selected for hire. As someone in lower management, I have heard various figureheads mocking black-sounding names and 'those weird hairstyles' when they didn't realize I was within an earshot.

"Gee! We interviewed a Shaneka, Tameka, and Tasheka today! Where do they get these names from? And one of the girls had weird reddish brown twists in her hair!"

featherzRN, MSN · Jan 26, 2015

Not AA, but I think box braids are *gorgeous* and if worn up would be a heck of a lot more professional looking during an interview than my long unruly hair, which I end up braiding in a not-so-professional ponytail so I don't look like "cousin itt" (younger members hit up Google).

I've only really worked in two states in my life (NY and California/Los Angeles) where such things would be pretty commonplace so I'd be out of touch with how things work in a different state/area.

I'd think tight braids would be an asset in someplace like the OR, yes?

Andi777 · Jan 26, 2015

When I interview I will try to look as young as possible because I don't want to miss an opportunity due to ageism, even if it shouldn't matter as long as I'm otherwise qualified for the job. If I came to this board to ask if I should cover the gray, temporarily dress more current or whatever, I wouldn't want people to falsely advise me that age won't be held against me by some unknown hiring manager. I know it's a very loose analogy but I think most of the comments here were meant to support OP in getting the job against some ignorant held stereotyping that she thinks herself she may run into.
Honestly before this thread, short of long loose swinging braids of any kind, I never would have thought it an issue. I'm sorry it is, shouldn't be that way.

I also try to look as young as possible -- as I am new graduate but am 40-something years old. I do not necessarily look my age and I do have botox on a regular basis because I do not want to be aged-out of a job.

So-- maybe it would be better if instead of attaching "race" to an issue, instead to use the word "prejudice" There are many kinds of prejudice!!

My daughter and I had our hair corn-rowed one summer -- we have long blonde hair and it was fun to have that look and to match. I sure would not wear that to a job interview though.

lilnursey'15 · Jan 27, 2015

Hi I'm an African American who has braids as their main hairstyle of choice.

I say get the box braids. Go on YouTube and search the different ways to wear the box braids, there are some cute looks that would be appropriate for an interview.

It is 2015, and people still hold strong prejudices against certain "looks", but as long as I keep my hair clean and neat I'll do what I want. I believe if an employer is willing to judge me by my braids alone, I probably wouldn't want to work for them anyways :)

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

rose898989 · Jan 29, 2015

Go with whatever is considered professional in your area while interviewing and going through orientation. Certain areas of this country are more relaxed about hairstyles. Make sure to read the facilities dress code policy to a T. Most use generic language like "professional and conservative appearance." I would talk to your direct supervisor about your hair change before doing it. Is it really necessary, no. But I found most policies to be really up to their interpretation. Even if you win the battle on what's considered appropriate, the facility will win the war with other policies they will enforce.

passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 29, 2015

I would never want to work at a place such as the one you just described. All money is not good money. My integrity is worth much more. As nurses we put up with A Lot already in the name of customer service. I would not want to work at a place that would not hire a clinically skilled nurse on the basis of a hairstyle - unless of course it was unhygienic. This is not the 50's.

Rntr · Jan 29, 2015

Employers have a right to ask for a certain dress code and this includes hair, tattoes, inappropriate or overdone jewelry, perfume (totally out of place in the workplace). To ask you to show up on time and not abuse the "sick" benefit... there could be more and this should all be in a policy. It's upfront, not hidden and.....

You have a right to not work there.

I personally am glad there are certain standards that apply to everyone. Get over it and quit making such noise out of nothing.