Can nurses have facial piercings?

[staceym]

My friend and I were arguing over whether or not this is allowed. I'm thinking not, do you guys know?

[orthonurse55]

It probably depends on your school and employer. I teach CNA's. We do not allow facial piercings at all. Or tattoos. They are unprofessional.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Id say no. All facial piercings have to either be removed or covered at my facility and school

[AlleycatLPN]

No way. Not professional.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

Probably not.

And in some work environments, it would be a bit dangerous/problematic in some facial areas. Whipping a mask on and off repeatedly through the day - either it would get caught or irritated, increasing infection risk of the piercing. Not a good idea.

[staceym]

Okay, I definitely thought it was unprofessional personally. And I wondered about the safety/health concerns. Thanks all!

[PghRN30]

My school facial piercings are not allowed. Women are allowed to have non dangling ear piercings, (I can not remeber if it is only 1 per ear or if 2 per ear are allowed).

Is a professional thing more then anything else. However the non dangling ear piercings IS a saftey issue.

[K nurse-one-day]

I dont think a person should be considered unprofessional just b/c they have a tattoo or piercing. I have both, and Im very professional, hard working and respected person. And awesome

In my humble opinion, professionalism comes from,well, acting professional.

I have no plans to remove my tat unless my being in the nursing program absolutely depends on it. Although Im aware that most programs/facilities dont allow them

[JROregon, ASN, BSN, RN]

Most hospital patients are going to be in the 60 and over crowd. They don't appreciate facial piercings and facial or neck tattoos. The hospital system that I do clinicals in won't hire someone who can't hide that stuff.

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

At my hospital, no facial piercing or visible tatoos. A small nose piercing is tolerated, but others aren't.

[UVA Grad Nursing]

I know a local hospital that allows them, but they must be covered by bandages each day.

Imagine you are working in a pediatric unit. Small kids love to grab things. One student nurse ended up becoming an ED visitor while she was on a pediatric clinical. This student nurse was holding a 21-month old who noticed her lip ring. This toddler reached out and tugged hard. Very hard. This resulted in a bloody mess, an upset toddler, a very upset Mother of Toddler, and an ED visit for the student nurse.

Now the policy is either remove the excess jewelry, or cover it all up every day.

[mangopeach]

Not allowed in my program. For our clinicals, facial piercings have to be removed. Tats have to be covered. And if you have those huge stretched holes in your ear lobes, forgot what they are called at the moment, you better find a way to make them look smaller LOL