Ethnic Hair ???

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Oct 4, 2006

Although I can't personally relate, here is my thought: If a place would make judgments of you based on such a thing, would you want to work there anyway?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2006

There are still quite a few people in nursing who believe in conservative hair, clothing, cosmetics, and overall appearance. Unfortunately, many people at the top who run the bureaucracies prefer to hire people who resemble them in looks and personality traits. Dreadlocks frequently don't fit into the scheme of things because so much emphasis is placed on conservative appearance.

I personally wish that natural, locked hairstyles were more welcomed by the mainstream.

Jules A, MSN · Oct 4, 2006

I'm not familiar with the attitude of that community but in the area where I live dreads are quite common and I'd like to think that people are pretty cool about appreciating differences in others. There was a guy in my nursing class with dreads all the way down his back and he just had to pull them back in a rubber band for clinicals.

One Flew Over · Oct 10, 2006

My friend Ronnie just pulls his back with a loose elastic. They shouldn't have a problem with it at all, as long as it's out of your face

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 22, 2006

I live in orange county NY. I am concerned about going on interviews because my hair is loc'd. Has anyone had experience w/ problems, rejections, or adverse reactions to "ethnic" hairstyles?

I agree with the other posters. Some areas may be more conservative than others. I would wear my hair back with a scrunchy or rubberband so that it is out of my face. I live in Queens, New York, and we have dreads, extensions and weaves, so it has all be acceptable here.

Alloramadai · Oct 22, 2006

The only issue I've seen was a nursing student (female) raising a stink in clinicals because they asked her to remove her doo rag. I can't remember ever seeing a woman wearing a doo rag, so was a little put off by her argument that it was a "cultural" thing.

BSNtobe2009 · Oct 23, 2006

I think there are neat dreads and messy dreads. I have a friend Dawn that is originally from St. Thomas, and she has the "natural" hairstyle. All of her hair from her scalp is maintained tightly and she can also pull it back. It's actually beautiful.

If the rest of your appearance is neat, professional, simple makeup, etc. I don't see how your hair should make a difference.

BSNtobe2009 · Oct 23, 2006

The only issue I've seen was a nursing student (female) raising a stink in clinicals because they asked her to remove her doo rag. I can't remember ever seeing a woman wearing a doo rag, so was a little put off by her argument that it was a "cultural" thing.

I agree, I don't think that's a cultural thing either. That would be like me showing up in a Scottish kilt and calling it a "cultural" thing.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 23, 2006

Our policy states that hair should be clean and neat. Doesn't state what styles are and aren't allowed.

gentle · Oct 23, 2006

I believe that you must be true to yourself. If you are true to yourself by wearing locs, then please wear them. Keep them well groomed and enjoy them. I think locs are beautiful to behold when well groomed. I also think they are a mess when not well groomed.

I personally wear my hair in an ethnic style and love it. The freedom to be who I am and look the way I was made.

As far as the patients, interestingly some of the female senior citizens like my hair and have asked to touch it.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 23, 2006

The only issue I've seen was a nursing student (female) raising a stink in clinicals because they asked her to remove her doo rag. I can't remember ever seeing a woman wearing a doo rag, so was a little put off by her argument that it was a "cultural" thing.

Doo rags are unprofessional, period. It looks like a person just got out of bed and came to work without caring about representing herself or the institution.