I'm going to school to be a medical assistant (AA) and from there I am going to get into a nursing program. It is my dream to one day be an RN. I got a few tattoos before I knew what I wanted to do in life. I was originally going into the military but, no one told me having plates and screws in my elbow is an auto DQ in all military branches. I have a half-sleeve going from my wrist to my elbow. It's just an outline right now (no color) and it's koi fish and flowers representing my brothers and my mom. No slang, bad words, or anything deemed gang related/threatening. My school makes us cover them up which is what I expected. I wear long sleeves, under armor, and those basketball shooter sleeves. My question is will I be looked down on when I am an RN trying to get a respectable job? I was told as long as I can cover them I would be fine. I'm a 3.5+ gpa student, I don't drink or do drugs, and I'm never in trouble. I'd hate for something so small and petty like this to stop me from excelling in my career.

Just don't let ANYONE, especially management, see them.

Nobody has to know! Good luck.

I have had many nurses who had tats. For the interviews keep them covered.

The problem you may run into is that in some areas of nursing, you can't wear long sleeves, for infection control reasons, so you may not be able to cover your tattoo.

Not all employers forbid tattoos, and not everyone looks down on them, but some do, so you may be limiting your options somewhat by having the tattoo. You'll have to decide for yourself what's more important.

Edited to add: at the peds hospital I used to work at, apparently visible tattoos were allowed, because several nurses had them. I personally don't have a problem with them at all, though I don't happen to have any myself.

I am a CMA but at the time I didn't know I wanted to be an RN. I was wondering why you are going to do a MA program before the RN? I would suggest either going straight RN or LPN to RN. I spent 2 years in school for my CMA and a couple of years later I have decided to go RN and will have to spend 2 more years to complete the degree since there is no bridge because MA's are a different healthcare profession.

I personally could care less if someone has tatoos although a lot of people think they are unprofessional. My school requires you cover them up.

I think it partially depends where you live. Here in the bay area, it's hard to find a nurse who DOESN'T have one.

OK, maybe I'm exaggerating a little.

I have worked w/both male and females who have visible tattoos - only one place I worked specifically stated tattoos had to be covered and no facial piercings (other than ears on females and limited to one each ear). I have tattoos though mine are not visible when clothed...if you are uncomfortable w/them you can always look for something to cover them - like Dermablend - and decide later if you want to have them removed. One thing to note is since they are not colored in and depending on the ink used laser may or may not work. I know this factually as I did have one removed from my ankle..I ended up after almost a year of laser treatments - which is help - have the last surgically removed. Not a big deal but the color was what hung on...good luck..

I think visible tattoos on a nurse is not professional at all.

Thank you to everyone who replied! I got a general idea at what I'm getting into. I don't mind wearing sleeves and covering up all the time. I'm not looking at any one specific job. I'm very open at this point and I'm willing to do and go where I can.

No worries! Like a few have said, tattoos really are not a big deal. Just cover them for your interviews. I think you are more worried that you need to be!

Tattoos are so commonplace today. Some people still look at them as a little tacky, but not like 20 or 30 years ago. Covering up should be fine...it shows that you care enough to put forth a good impression- just like shoving it in everyone's face would make you seem like another type of person. There was a younger girl in my first semester clinical with one of those tongue earrings...she was told repeatedly not to wear it to clinical. She repeatedly ignored this request. She was warned 3 times, I believe, before they gave her her walking papers. So, it wasn't the tongue ring or the instructors personal feelings about it- it was the fact that she didn't care about the image they wanted her to put across.

I have one on my back, a small one, that I got when I was younger, and I cant wait to have it removed. I think it looks disgusting now, I don't care how pretty the design is. It's mostly black, and I found out that black ink is the easiest to laser off. Colored ink takes a lot longer to get rid of...just an FYI, in case you were considering removal.

I have a very large chest piece that I just cover up with a crew neck shirt while at work. There is a CNA that I work with that has tattoos all over her arms. She told management in her interview that she had them and they just asked that she cover them up with long sleeves. Sometimes she doesn't cover them up all the time but patients don't seem to mind. Everyone that we work with knows about our tattoos but as long as they are covered up then no one has a problem. If wearing long sleeves doesn't work out I would definitely recommend Dermablend. I used it to cover up my chest piece for my wedding and you couldn't even tell that I had one! Dermablend also sticks very well if you use all three products (the primer, foundation, and powder). Hope this helps and good luck with everything!

It will depend on where you work. I work with several nurses that have visible tattoos and it is not considered a problem.One aid has a sleeve from wrist to shoulder and she doesn't cover it all the time.

On a side note why are you going for your MA if you want to be an RN?