Can I have tattoos/piercings if I go into nursing?

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I want a rose tattoo on my shoulder blade. (it's in honor of my family) and since it will always will be covered by scrubs will it be a problem?

Also, I want to get my nose pierced right when I get to college so I'll have two years for it to heal before nursing school. Then when I get a job does the piercing have to be out? Or can I have a teeny tiny stud in? I know it's not professional to have it in but will they care if it's super small? (I want a ring in when I'm not at work.)

Any information will help!

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A covered tattoo is okay. But why on earth are you going to pierce your nose and then let it heal? Don't poke any extra holes in your face. Gah.

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Oh, and they will care. One can't wear hoops in their ears let alone noses. Great way to lose a piece of your body when someone grabs it.

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Specializes in Peds OR as RN, Peds ENT as NP.

Many threads on this... try a search.

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Specializes in ER.

Our hospital policy is 1-2 piercings for ears, no other visible piercings and no visible tattoos. So pierce your face at your own risk. People do care about your outward professional appearance.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
I want a rose tattoo on my shoulder blade. (it's in honor of my family) and since it will always will be covered by scrubs will it be a problem?

Also, I want to get my nose pierced right when I get to college so I'll have two years for it to heal before nursing school. Then when I get a job does the piercing have to be out? Or can I have a teeny tiny stud in? I know it's not professional to have it in but will they care if it's super small? (I want a ring in when I'm not at work.)

Any information will help!

Of course you can!! Whether some HR's will hire you with them is another story! This applies more to the piercing, clearly. I know my clinicals required NO facial piercing--no "super small teeny tiny stud" allowed.

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Specializes in labor & delivery.

No tattoos showing or face piercings allowed at my hospital....including "small" nose studs. Some CNA's have wrist tattoos and must wear longs sleeves under their scrubs every day.

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Well the first few posts were just rude..

And if i can't have a stud in then I'll just take it out then put it back in when I'm not working..

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I wasn't rude. I was realistic.

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.
Well the first few posts were just rude..

And if i can't have a stud in then I'll just take it out then put it back in when I'm not working..

I went back and re-read. I didn't see a rude post in the bunch. I even had to search for sarcastic! Thicker skin will do wonders for you with a nursing career pathway....

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Many places will not allow visible tattoos, so if you are planning on one for your wrist/neck/other visible area, be prepared to cover it up with Dermablend or bandage. Tattoos that are covered are no problem. I have ones on my legs that no one knows about unless I decide to show them.

I agree with Suesquatch about the piercings: I've seen ripped earlobes because someone grabbed jewelry and yanked. If you want a pierced nose, hoops are not the best choice while at work...and depending on your facility, studs may not fly either. You may have to go without nose jewelry for the shift.

No one is saying you don't have the right to pierce or tattoo yourself in any way you like...however facilities have the right to not hire you because of them. Just something to keep in mind.

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PEOPLE- I never said I was going to wear a nose ring at work.. I said when I'm NOT at work.

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