Beard as a male nurse?

Guests · Dec 19, 2014

Several of my colleagues wear beards.

BTW, you probably shouldn't identify yourself as you are.

GrannyRRT · Dec 19, 2014

As long as you have a PAPR available to you at all times it shouldn't be a problem if your beard is acceptable by the grooming policy. I have known men to go through the N95 mask fitting and deny tasting the sweetener just to keep their beard without a hassle for extra equipment.

It is your health and that of your family which depends on you taking the responsibility to have the right equipment for your decision to keep the beard or not. Don't rely on excuses like "just this one time", "low probability" or "others do it" when it comes to a proper fitting mask with or without a beard. You also must be concerned about your patients' safety during wound and line care.

Jarl Redbeard · Dec 19, 2014

As I stated originally in the post, the picture I included is not of me...it's some random person from a Google search. I called the school and they said they don't require shaving during the clinicals, so I guess from there it's just going to be left up to whatever hospital I can get into. Thanks for all the information.

LongislandRN23 · Dec 19, 2014

There are several male nurses with beards similar to the photo shown and it has never been an issue. However they cannot be fit tested for the n95 mask because with a beard it cannot fit properly. Therefore if a patient is on airborne precautions they do not take that patient as part of their assignment. Has not been an issue in the hospital I work at.

GrannyRRT · Dec 19, 2014

That hardly seems fair.

There are other situations which require an N95 mask like some aerosolized meds. Who gets to choose their assignment if Ribavirin is involved? A man with a beard or a pregnant nurse?

Sdt222 · Dec 19, 2014

I have a short well trimmed beard and had no problems in clinical. Also I work as an orderly. Anyone who doesn't pass fit test has to grab a full head mask when in a room requiring respirator.

shigg · Dec 19, 2014

Infection control issue!! yes for the SHORT / trim / neat. but that's it. And some / most schools / facilities have regulations on it.

LongislandRN23 · Dec 19, 2014

That hardly seems fair.
There are other situations which require an N95 mask like some aerosolized meds. Who gets to choose their assignment if Ribavirin is involved? A man with a beard or a pregnant nurse?

So it seems more fair to mandate to shave or trims your beard which is on your personal body and your choice? What if it is for religious reasons? We do have freedoms of religion- this is America. Should we not allow nurses to wear hijabs too? I do not have a beard and failed fit testing two years in a row. Does it seem fair to make me take an assignment where I would have to wear a N95 mask? No!

Nursing assignments are chosen and given out based upon the needs of a patient the nurses concerns and the acuity.

lost soul · Dec 27, 2014

I am an RN, with a beard, had a beard since age 16, now 54. Went thru a BSN program and was never challenged about it. Worked in the ICU with no issues. Many drs have beards also, and in the OR too. I did open heart with a dr that had a bushy beard.

I was never sure about the seal on the face mask. I only had to use it a time or two. If I was in a situation where I had to wear a mask that needed to seal, I would get something better, what ever that might be.

I never felt that having a beard was an issues at all. Being male was an issue at times, but not the beard.

Rbeck911, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2015

I would just like to clarify something on this post, for future readers. A lot of people implied that beards that aren't that long are okay for the n95 fit testing, or that you can trick the system and pass with a beard. OSHA states that if there is ANY facial hair between the seal, then a fit test should not be performed.

Mr. Murse · Mar 6, 2015

I haven't worked in many facilities as a nurse at this point in my career, but I've honestly been surprised how lax they are on many different aspects of their nurse's image. I see nurses with nail polish often, men with beards, both sexes with various tattoos on their necks and/or arms, etc. In nursing school they're usually a little more strict about it.

I think the big thing is over all image. Sure, there are specific things like the N95 mask which pretty much is just useless if you have any significant facial hair, but over all I think the rules on image are just to encourage a professional image. At this point in time, what's accepted as professional by most people is pretty broad. Many professionals have tattoos, or beards, or "neatly messy" styles. I think it's a good thing too because honestly some of the most intelligent and capable people out there have a very unconventional appearance. As long as no part of your image is compromising patient well being.

Ultimately though it's just going to come down to your facility and more specifically your manager. What one manager may overlook another may not allow even though they're in the same facility and technically under the same rules.

nurse2033, MSN, RN · Mar 7, 2015

Beard, yes! Once you get a job, follow the dress code. If you can't pass the mask fit test (you won't) they should provide alternate protection, like a papper. But, most likely it will be easier for them to give you another assignment. Look neat and professional, don't worry.