Body Art...

Originally posted by Yeti1313LPN:

I've a question for all of you...

Thanks to the 'Starched Whites' rule of my workplace, they tend to be a bit transparant at times (like bright lights, and hot floors)... so, usually underclothing is a big deal...(I mean, no pink heart thongs and whatnot...) But.... What about us nurses with perhaps a tattoo on a scrub covered area of our bodies?

Next, What is the consensus (if there is one) on body piercings...

My personal feeling is that it should be kept small and on the ears, and shouldent be easily grabbable... I think eyebrows, noses, lips and tongues shouldent be pierced if you have work... I think tattoos are okay if under clothing... but, not if displayed all over the arms, neck, face...

Thanks

--Barbara, LPN

I don't see why nurses shouldn't be pierced or tattooed. It's our choice. I have both, but my tattoo does not show outside or through my whites (it's on my hip), and I do not wear my ear or nose studs during work, although I could if I wanted to. I think that tattoos should not show, but if they do, they should not be offensive to anyone. I think most of us would have an idea of what would be acceptable to the general public.

I really don't care if someone has piercings or tatoos.

What I care about is: does that nurse know how to give quality care?

Personally, I don't understand why anyone would want piercings on the brow. I can't understand nose piercings. How can someone pick their nose with a nose ring? It seems like boogers would get encrusted around the stud.

But, really I don't care. Just as long as someone is competent. That's all that matters to me.

Why shouldn't we be allowed to be pierced or Tattooed? Are we not humans who are creative, and artistic? Are we not allowed to go along with trends? I have a pierced ear and a tattoo, left ear, right arm, covered by my scrub unless i lift it up to show sombody. If i have a patient who is tattooed i usually show them mine. I was putting lotion on my arm one day and a patient's family saw me and i had to go and show it to everybody in the room because they thought it was cool, and it is. I have never had a patient complain about my care because i was Tattooed or pierced.

Originally posted by Yeti1313LPN:

I've a question for all of you...

Thanks to the 'Starched Whites' rule of my workplace, they tend to be a bit transparant at times (like bright lights, and hot floors)... so, usually underclothing is a big deal...(I mean, no pink heart thongs and whatnot...) But.... What about us nurses with perhaps a tattoo on a scrub covered area of our bodies?

Next, What is the consensus (if there is one) on body piercings...

My personal feeling is that it should be kept small and on the ears, and shouldent be easily grabbable... I think eyebrows, noses, lips and tongues shouldent be pierced if you have work... I think tattoos are okay if under clothing... but, not if displayed all over the arms, neck, face...

Thanks

--Barbara, LPN

I have several tattoos, 2 of which are on my lower arms, and even though I dont mind them on other people, I regret them everyday of my life, and strive to keep them covered with warmup jackets, long sleeves, etc. I have never had a patient complain, they have thus far found them quite fascinating, however, I find them offensive to look at on myself, and feel that they give a false first impression of the type of person I am and the care I may give. I am an excellent nurse, and my care and knowledge are more than competant, but I know they are there, and that causes me great concern. To remove them is very expensive, and not an option at this time. So my advice to the youngsters out there is, if you have to get them, hide them very, very well.

Hmmm... lets see... (as if you all havent already guessed) I am the proud wearer of 2 tattoos (one kinda new and itchy) and they reside on my back... I am a pasty pale person.. and they can be visable through my scrub tops sometimes... it depends on the lights, and the scrubs... I also have 3 studs in each of my ears, with a horseshoe type bar through an inner part of my left pinna...

I figure that if I come to work neat and clean, and act respectable, I should be respectable... reguardless of whats in my head... or on my body...

Its a good conversation starter, if nothing else... (my favorite is 'how did you get that in your ear?)

g-night...

Barbara, LPN

Love my tattoo so much I want another, but people can't see it when I wear scrubs (it's on my lower back). Plus i wear undershirts because I'm cold natured. I have nothing against body art or piercings, but I think the majority of people (patients) might feel strange about having a nurse with a nose ring or eyebrow ring. If the nurse feels totally comfortable with that possibility, then I say go for it and wear them, as long as there is no danger of them getting pulled out!!!