Can nurses have piercings?

NICU Kristen · Oct 31, 2009

Depends on your schools rule and the rules of your clinical site. At my school we are only allowed to have one set of piercings in our ears (small studs only) and no facial or tongue piercings at all!

newbebop, ADN, BSN, MSN · Oct 31, 2009

Yes it is determined by your school. But most I have heard have the one set of stud earrings rule. Some of the reasoning is for health and safety. like infection, or a having a pt. tearing out a long earring (which happened a few years back at my school). Other reasons can be "professional image of the program" or based on clinical site policy. We are not allowed to wear ANY other jewelery. no bracelets, necklaces, rings etc. Just the one set of stud earrings.They make the exception for ONE solid wedding band but it cannot have any stone sets.

we were told you could have them in for theory classes and lab, but they had to be out/off for clinicals. I considered getting a clear retainer for my nose, (and the also make them for your tongue), or even just pulling it for the day and putting it back after the shift, but decided that was too much work. The last thing I wanted to do was forget to take it out and show up to clinical only to be sent home and have that mark in my file. So I just took it out and have not put it back since. I figure if it is something I really want to do again later on I can.

You should be able to call or even email one of the nursing advisors at your school and ask their policy on piercings.

Good luck. ;-)

Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP · Oct 31, 2009

I take out my ear piercings (tragus, daith, and industrial are the ones I wear to school) and my tongue piercing for clinical. I've had all of these piercings for almost 10 years so leaving them out for a few hours isn't going to hurt them. I am able to wear them to classes though. I also have to take off my wedding rings for clinical since my wedding band has stones in it.

TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP · Nov 1, 2009

To be quite frank, no one in any professional setting should look like their face was hit by a tackle box.

I'm pretty sure my school only allows tasteful, non-dangly earrings and that's it. I can't quote you the exact policy, since it doesn't really apply to me.

msdeannah · Nov 1, 2009

I don't believe the point of this post was for anyone to voice their personal oppinion about someone's choices to have a piercing.

My school has a no piercing policy. Just 1 pair of studs and wedding rings. My tongue piercing is still pretty new so I wear a clear retainer. No one has ever noticed it. As a matter of fact.. sometimes I look in the mirror and think it has fallen out.

9livesRN, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2009

To be quite frank, no one in any professional setting should look like their face was hit by a tackle box.
I'm pretty sure my school only allows tasteful, non-dangly earrings and that's it. I can't quote you the exact policy, since it doesn't really apply to me.

I don't think it matters,

I rather have some one "show professionalism" by their actions, interventions and care,

then by the way they look!

IMHO - that is just "2000 and late" lol!

CuriousMe · Nov 1, 2009

If you're in a nursing program, it should be pretty easy to get your hands on their dress code. It's likely spelled out pretty clearly there.

My school's policy is similar to the ones above: one post earing in each ear, one wedding ring if it's a flat band....nothing else.

Nepenthe Sea · Nov 1, 2009

We can't have any piercings in during clinicals or lab check-offs or when we pick up our patient assignment the day before clinicals. We can have the retainers in as far as I know. The ones that I have to worry about are old enough that I don't have to worry about retainers. I have 18 ear piercings and I don't go to the trouble of putting all those back in after clinicals. I just leave those out for the semester. I put my nose and tongue stud back in at the end of the week.

I agree with the previous poster that said that professionalism is more about your work than your appearance, but I am a tattooed, pierced freak, so what do I know?!

RNMom2010 · Nov 1, 2009

Our program does not allow facial piercings. We can have a pair of studs in our ears, and wear our wedding sets. Not sure how the policy goes for gauged ears, no one has them so it was never brought up. The girls who had facial piercings just took them out during clinicals and wore them for class. Also with tattoos they have to be covered (which with white uniforms I have to wear a tank top/wife beater under my top so my black ink does not show through.)

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Nov 1, 2009

Depends on the program. Some programs will let you get away with one pair of stud earrings at clinicals (no hoops or dangling ones, and no multiple pairs); others will tell you no earrings at all. AFAIK no program will let you wear nose/lip/brow/tongue piercings at clinicals. Think about it: what if a patient grabbed one and pulled?

As far as lecture goes...again, depends on the school. I agree with TheSquire: if you do look like you were hit in the face with a tackle box, you're probably wearing too much. I think most schools would prefer, if you do choose to wear piercings, that they are understated and few in number.

thinwildmercury · Nov 1, 2009

i think the sjsu policy is two pairs of ear piercings. i have a feeling cartilage doesn't count as an ear piercing but i am not sure. my cartilage is pierced on one side and other than that earring i don't wear any everyday jewelry. (my ears are pierced but easily irritated; not married)

i understand the professionalism and safety aspects, though it does make me a little sad that little individuality is allowed as a nurse can't win em all