CNA course and Piercings

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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good afternoon all. i start my cna class this weekend and was wondering if i could leave my nose stud in until it is time for clinicals in a couple months. i know i have to take it out for that, but what is the opinion of the group on a student with facial piercings? am i setting myself up to me looked down on from day one and just need to take them out? is there a policy in the skills lab that they have to be out? the class is a ppcc in co, but any advise is appreciated. thanks.

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IMO, I would take it out.

Just a few moons ago, I had my labret, eyebrow, 4 in each ear and my top cartilage in. I can def. tell a difference in how people treat me on first impression, now that I do not wear them. If you know you will have to take it out for work, I would take it out for the course.

This is ridiculous I know, but it seems the general population finds facial piercings un-hygienic ( if that is a word, and spelled right )

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

I agree. I think its better to be on the safe side & remove it, especially for interviews. I know its unfair but a lot of people will judge a person by their tattoos or piercings rather than their character & ability to do the job.

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I have my nose pierced, but I wear a really tiny stud and nobody has noticed it yet (or if they have, they haven't said anything) I would plan on taking it out for clinicals, but nobody should say anything to you at class...unless your class has a special dress code or something.

If I were the people at the facility, I'd be more concerned about the CNAs with see-through scrub tops and nasty shoes or hair all over the place. And IMO having a grill or an entire mouthful of golden teeth is a lot worse looking than a tiny nose stud or extra ear piercings.

I plan on getting a clear retainer if it becomes an issue at work or I seek employment someplace that cares. Or I'll just take it out (which I'd really prefer not to, my piercings close up soooo easily...)

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Thanks for all the input. I do totally agree with the fact that I need to take it out. I think I just wanted to hear it from someone else. It's funny tho I am working for the air force right now as a civilian of course and they could care less here, yet I don't want to wear it to class for fear of being judged. :coollook: Silly! Thanks again for the input.

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I'm starting a health care aide program in September and I'm wondering what they'll say about my tiny nose stud. From what I've seen up in Canada, a lot of people don't care about ear piercings or nose studs. I think the bigger concern comes in when you have nose hoops or other facial piercings. I plan on keeping mine in until somebody tells me I need to take it out...and at that point I'd ask if I can just put a clear stud in to keep it open.

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Specializes in FNP-BC, RNC-OB.

i have a labret and tongue piercing and when i took my basic nursing course this summer, i was told that i had to take out all piercings during clinical but that it would be okay to wear during regular classes. i guess because my labret ring isnt huge, sometimes u cant even see it. but i guess they tell u to take it out while caring for patients... its more professional of course, and its only right.

even my classmates that have tattoos were told they had to wear long sleeves to cover them during clinical as well... i think its universal across the board. i hated taking out all my piercings, so maybe i will look into getting a retainer and also a clear labret.

personally if its a tiny nose stud i dont see what the big deal is and maybe u can slide with it til someone says something.. but if you have any other facial piercings, id say just take em out to be safe

BEST OF LUCK TO YA!

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This is my 2nd week of CNA school. My 1st day of class I wore my scrubs & hair pulled back. I wanted to make a good impression. I was the only 1 wearing my scrubs, I was chosen by instructor to be the class rep. Since that day I dress regular & keep my tatoos (all 10) covered up. But there are people in my class with small piercings (nose & mouth area). As long as it's out for clinicals & for job interviews & it's in good taste.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab, CNA, HHA, Nurse Mentor.

My only advice is to wear your piercings and tattoos and acrylic nails how you wish until a week before you start your clinicals.

Why?

Because you can get used to covering them up and removing them and by the time you start clinicals, you won't be so paranoid in covering them up. When I was going through the training, our instructor was old school and walked up to those who had piercings and visible tattoos and advised them that since we were at a LTC, do not be surprised or offended if the residents treated you differently in a negative or feared way because they came from a time and era where that wasn't accepted or looked upon. So just to avoid any problems down the road ... do the 1 week prior setup and you should be good to go. Good luck and happy nursing!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

I had to go to a staff meeting today & we had to go over our new rules concerning dress code.. in one part it mentioned tats& piercings and it said that facial piercings must be taken out & tats need to be covered, b/c it might be offensive to some of the residents.

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I've learned that it all just depends on the facility.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I have a labret, a nostril piercings, and a few highly visible tatoos. I've never been asked to take the piercings out or cover the tats.

The residents at work love them. They're always grabbing my arms to check out my ink and telling me how pretty my facial jewelry is. It's no more unhygenic than the people who have ear piercings or wear wedding bands.

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