Are nurses allowed to have facial piercings?

[cascadingbeauty]

This might be a silly question, so I apologize in advance if I sound stupid. (I also apologize if it's in the wrong forum, I'm new here!) I turned eighteen two months ago and I'm currently a senior in high school, planning on becoming a RN some time in the future. I've been looking into it a lot lately and someone recommended that I volunteer at the hospital. I went on the website today for the hospital near me and as I was applying for volunteer work, I skimmed over the rules on the page and it says:

Jewelry (where allowed) is to be minimal and worn in moderation. Body piercing, other than ears, must be covered at all times. Tattoos must be covered at all times.

That brings me to wonder, are nurses not allowed to have nose piercings? Are they looked down upon for it? I got my nose pierced when I was sixteen because I've always struggled with self-esteem issues. I always looked in the mirror and thought to myself that I had a fairly large nose, so I got it pierced and it made me feel better about it. I don't have a nose ring, it's a small diamond stud and believe it or not, most people don't even notice it because again -- huge nose here. Going into nursing is something I really want to do but I don't want to take out my nose piercing, honestly. I know if I even make it through nursing school, I won't be a nurse until I'm in my twenties but still. Would they force me to take it out? Because if so, my main issue is that it'll close up and I don't want that. I know a few people who've had their noses pierced for years now and whenever they take their studs out, the hole starts making a go for it. How would one go about covering facial piercings anyways? I could manage with a clear stud kind of thing, if they'd allow that. I don't know. I struggle to see how a nose piercing could cause me to appear unprofessional. It's small, extremely clean and like I said, you can't see it unless you really stare at me. I don't have any tattoos and no other piercings besides my ears. My hair isn't dyed either.

I don't want to make a big deal out of this, it's just that I'm afraid I'll be forced to get rid of my piercing entirely and that it'd really bring down my self-esteem. Do any of you have facial piercings? Or know any nurses with them?

Also, sorry again if I seem silly or over the top. I have social anxiety (please don't lecture me on how SA + nursing don't mix) and I over-think a lot.

[DaniannaRN, ASN, BSN]

As a side note, it really gets to me when people say it's not professional to have piercings/tats. What is your definition of professional? Am I an RN too? Did I pay off the BON to give me my license? As nurses, we are supposed to be NON-JUDGMENTAL!!!!!!

Why am I less professional than anyone else? So I guess police officers, doctors, and teachers who have tats or piercings are not professional too.

This is 2013, not 1800. Times have changed. It is ok to have facial piercings/visible tats. I can do my job just as well as anyone else, my tats and piercings do not mean I'm going to neglect or abuse my patients. Stop; get over the facial piercings and tats. We as nurses have more important issues to worry about.

[Argo]

Sorry but low self esteem and being self conscience about a large nose are two different things.

Also, her self esteem wouldn't be based on her piercing. She would have gotten a piercing in because of her self conscience over her larger nose.....

Caribbean Character said:

Read the whole thread before making an uninformed comment. The OP claimed her self esteem was based on her piercing.

[BlueDevil,DNP, DNP, RN]

I wouldn't hire a nurse with visible piercings or facial jewelry. My staff represents me, and that is not the image I am looking to put forward. I doubt I'm the only one who feels this way, or in the minority even.

So, the bottom line is, do you care? Is it a risk you are willing to take? It has been pointed out that many people work in environments that do not object, so it's a crap shoot. There is a good chance it would affect your employment opportunities, but would you even want to work someplace where you couldn't have the accessories you want?

I personally think that this is a silly hill to die on, but only you can decide that for yourself.

[lindseylpn]

Some places limit piercings because of a safety issue. Imagine a confused agitated patient grabbing hold of a lip, nose or eyebrow ring. Ouch! I've had a cartilage piercing almost ripped out and let me tell you, it is NOT fun.

[LaRN]

unless you work pedi or ob, many of your patients will be older. i worked with a cna who had a small stud in her nose, and one of the old men thought it was a booger.

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

In school I had to take all of my ear piercings out. At work I can wear whatever I want and the only thing anyone cares about is that I can do my job safely. Since I work with kids I wear minimal jewelry so nothing gets grabbed.

[ak2190]

I really dislike the idea that people base their opinion of "professional" on whether someone has a tattoo or piercing but that is the way of the world. Especially among the older crowd (who tend to be your patients and bosses}. Hopefully in 50 years that will all change, but I strongly advise you to wear a clear stud or just take it out when you're at work or school. Might as well not give them a reason to make a shallow and closed-minded assessment of your character based on a harmless piece of jewelry you chose to wear.

[BSNmwsu]

Im sure most nurses here are pretty wild and crazy on their days off; getting drunk, doing drag, going to swinger clubs, or participating in roller derby, etc. One thing most nurses (no matter how 'wild' they may be) can agree on, is that we are professionals. We stayed up studying into the wee hours of the morning, we slaved through clinics, we took test until we wanted to self harm...all to obtain that degree and pass that NCLEX so we could call ourselves nurses.

As you know, the public sets high standards for us nurses. We are to be proper and look the part of a professional nurse. Can you imagine yourself being deathly ill, and meeting your nurse...shes all tatted up, cherry red hair with blue streaks, a nose, eye and lip peircing...what would be your first impression? Now she may be an AWESOME nurse, but you wont truly trust thats shes skilled and competent until you have more interaction with her. Or you may not trust her at all and always question her judgement because of how she presented herself. I would even question why the unit manager would allow his/her staff to come to work that way.

Bottom line, even if the hospital says its okay to work dressed as a clown, you have to hold yourself to a higher standard. Take pride in your profession and yourself. Look the part of an educated professional.

Sorry for misspelling...my thumbs are bigger than the buttons on my phone ?

[Nurse Kyles, BSN, RN]

I worked at a nursing home where almost everybody had some sort of piercing. It was no big deal to have a nose ring. At my current hospital, no piercings except earrings are allowed. I have had my nose pierced for quite a while, so I just take my nose ring out on work days.

[BSNbeauty, BSN, RN]

The real issue you need to discuss is why a nose ring brings up your selfesteem.

[nursejami]

I was just going to comment "if work doesn't, school will!" I see I'm not alone in that!

In addition to the professionalism issue, having extra holes in your face probably won't be very good for your health. If you're planning on working in a germ-factory setting (AKA: hospital) you will be constantly exposed to various pathogens, not the least of which being MRSA or VRE.

[OCNRN63, RN]

wordsofmymouth said:

My nursing school is super strict about everything from makeup to hairstyles to piercings to undershirts. Unfortunately, though the student pays (a lot) for nursing school, he or she can't call the shots. Here's to hoping my future workplace will be a little more lenient.

Nor should the student call the shots. If a student can't handle the dress code restrictions, how will he/she deal with all the potential limitations (not just dress code) an employer may require.

Nursing is a profession that doesn't lend itself to let you let your freak flag fly. (Not particularly referring nose piercings.) Get used to having to adapt now. It makes it easier when you're going for that first nursing job.