Another tattoo Discussion

[Alove725]

I get it! I do this has been done a million times, but my question is is my tattoo is behind my ear. It doesn't show if you are looking at me from the from, right side but does slightly show from my left and of course from behind. I was wondering if any nurses know if I still have to cover it. If so no problem just curious.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

But then what about your next possible employer, or your next 5 or 10 over your working life? How many people aren't hired because of tattoos, or piercings, or purple hair, or other forms of personal expression really can't be known.

Which is why, when going for an interview, cover up the tats, tone down the hair, and be conservative with the piercings.

[melizerd, ASN, RN]

The facility in WI that I've interviewed with has a policy in place, you can have a 2x2 visible tattoo as long as it isn't offensive, many nurses here have wrist tattoos that fit that requirement. No facial piercings but nothing about the number of ear piercings, just no dangle/hoops.

[stygianabyss]

Lastly, I had some smaller inner bicep tattoos before I got the full half sleeves. No one ever said anything negative however, EVERY PATIENT would always ask about them and ask for their meaning. It got real old real quick. I don't come to work to have people ask me personal questions. So now that I'm covered up I don't have that annoyance of constantly explaining my tattoos.

This. I will chime in here briefly, as an ER nurse with a full sleeve. My facility has a vague policy, and I choose to keep mine covered to prevent questions, unfortuantely the neoprene sleeves I wear in the department also bring in questions. I have never been sent away from patients when I did keep them uncovered. I find there is a bit of a double standard in the older generation when it comes to tattooed men vs tattooed women.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

My current facility allows them. It shocked me because I have never worked at a hospital that allowed tattoos before.

Most of the places I've worked said no tats, no facial piercings, one earring per ear, one ring/ring set per hand, one bracelet per wrist, earrings no longer than 1/2 inch, only natural hair colors, hair longer than shoulder length must be put up, and no nail polish. My current job allows polish, too, and I have been taking advantage of it!