Almost into the nursing program... but have a tattoo sleeve

[bustthewave]

Sorry, I know this topic is probably beat to death here, but I couldn't find any topics that addressed this. My tattoo cuts off at the mid-forarm, so it can easily be covered up by long sleeves. It's not offensive in any way, it's an overhead of a man playing a grand piano. The piano bursts into color and waves as it travels up my arm (I love the thing).

I've never worked in a healthcare facility, but am really leaning towards med-surge. Would my tattoo from my post rocker days be a problem? I have no issues with wearing long sleeves to hide it.

[foreverLaur]

The hospital I work at would require it to be covered, but wouldn't have a problem with it. They aren't super picky. I'm personally not a tattoo person, but would never judge a person based upon their own personal choices. Tattoos don't make you a better or worse clinician!

[JustEnuff2BDangerous, BSN, RN]

My nursing school had protocol addressing tattoos, my current place of employment does not. Mine is on the back of my neck so it can easily be hidden by my hair but many of my coworkers have visible tattoos and don't even attempt to cover them up, and nobody ever catches any hell for it. I'm sure certain department managers probably disapprove, but since there is no policy that even mentions tattoos, they can't really enforce anything. :) Like the other posters said, if it compromised a professional appearance (i.e., was offensive or visually unappealing) I'm sure that'd be a different issue.

[Lovelee82]

My nurse manager has a giant tattoo on his neck. He's had it most of his career. Our NP has bright red/blonde hair. A lot of the nurses on my unit have tats, and some piercings. I work with a bunch of rockstars. LOL. Its not a problem. I also have classmates who are covered in tats. I think you should cover up in the beginning but if its hot then no use in hiding them. I plan on getting a tat on my wrist area and I dont see it being a problem in working.

[Zookeeper3]

my facility requires that all, all tatts be covered, as long as you wear long sleves under scrubs that fit in the dress code you're fine. We don't permit ANY tat's to show, ever. I have a snazzy leg one, so I'm not against them at all... but it is how it is, and we follow the rules.

[rossd]

I am entering a BSN program next month, have tattoos on my lower arms, and just ordered some cover-up sleeves from this company:

cover up tattoos | tattoo cover up | tattoo cover - TatJacket

They seem to be much more comfortable than the long sleeve t-shirts I have been wearing under scrubs while doing CNA clinicals.

Good luck!

[penny112]

There is an ED tech that works in my hospital that has his shaved head tattooed. Not a little tattoo but his entire head. We also have nurses, lab techs with tattoos. I do live in an extremely liberal area though...

[SoundofMusic]

May this old foagie ask .....Why tatoos?? Why piercings? I can never seem to get an answer. Is there meaning in any of this? LOL. I guess it just wasn't the "thing" with my generation.

And I dont' know why anypone even has to know as long as you cover it up. I just dont' know WHY anyone gets tatoos.

I'm open to learning, though! :)