CRNAs with Tattoos

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing / CV/STICU.

I was just wondering if anyone knows of any CRNAs that have tattoos? How are CRNAs looked upon by others? I have couple of tattoos and have my goal set in becoming a CRNA.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

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you'll get varied answers on this, with some people saying it's fine and others saying it looks unprofessional and bad, but the bottom line is, they're your tattoos, on your body, so why should they be anyone elses business? (unless they're offensive in nature)

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Specializes in med-surg.
I was just wondering if anyone knows of any CRNAs that have tattoos? How are CRNAs looked upon by others? I have couple of tattoos and have my goal set in becoming a CRNA.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

If others can't see them--NO MATTER WHAT YOU WEAR, then don't worry.

If they are on your biceps, then don't worry. They will not be seen if you are dressing appropriately for a job interview.

If they are on hands, face, neck--use body makeup or have them removed.

Ditch any unusual body piercings that can be seen--eyebrow, cheek, tongue. Especially the tongue. You slur your words and the bell when you talk is extremely distracting--people are not paying attention to anything you say. People are just wondering if you realize how much pain you went through to be held in such low regard by a hiring manager AT ANY JOB!!!!!

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Specializes in ER/ICU, CCRN, SRNA (class of 2010).

When I shadowed in the OR one of the new CRNAs had a few large tattoos on his arms. Recently, when I was working in the ED there was an ED resident who had tattoos all over his arms and neck. Personally, I had no problem with it and he was a great doctor. Tattoos have become quite fashionable again and we will see many with them from the current generation. If you look at people from the WWII generation, they all have tattoos. Their kids did a lot of drugs but didn't get a lot of ink

I will say that a month before he (ED resident) arrived one of the attendings was complaining that she heard a resident was coming with tattoos and piercings and how unprofessional....blah blah blah....the patients will be scared of him. You will always run into people like that attending.

-Smiley

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

A moderately tattooed CRNA here. I currently sport 7 pieces, several of which are fairly extensive including a half sleeve on my right arm. I also have several piercings, including a tongue ring that I wear all the time. Like it or not, right or wrong, some people will judge you.... I know I don't need to tell you that. It's just the way of the world. Take for instance the reference to people like us being low-brow (I'm paraphrasing of course) made by JediWitch. I guess all the rhetoric in nursing about cultural acceptance just doesn't apply to tattooed and pierced folks.

Generally my tattoos don't show at work, unless I take off my scrub jacket, and then my arm piece shows, but that is a rare event considering the frigid temperature of the ORs. My tongue ring does show I'm sure. I do not slur my words, nor is there a "bell" associated with my jewelry. People do indeed listen when I speak to them, and answer me appropriately, so I can say with some degree of confidence that they are not focused on how much pain I went through to get something that makes me so white-trashy.

I don't wear any of my other facial piercings at work simply because jewelry isn't allowed in the OR. I have had my tongue pierced for about 15 years, and have never been turned down for any job for which I applied. I got into nursing school with it; I got into anesthesia school with it. I experienced absolutely no difficulty in finding my first job as a CRNA with it, and in fact had my pick of several jobs. I am also well liked and treated just as professionally and respectfully as any of my colleagues. I have had several patients who have specifically requested me to do their anesthesia, and have received letters that were sent to the hospital's CEO from patients thankful for my professionalism and caring manner. Guess some people must have missed the memo that us tattooed and pierced folks should be held in such low regard....

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

People are just wondering if you realize how much pain you went through to be held in such low regard by a hiring manager AT ANY JOB!!!!!

Oh please. My hiring manager was much more concerned with my 3.9 GPA from Johns Hopkins than the tattoo I may be rocking. Which for the record can be seen on the back of my neck every day at work. And no one I work with has ever said that they have a problem with it. In fact, its a real conversation starter with patients because I got it to represent the experiance I had battling cancer when I was younger.

I am all for respecting other people's opinions, but you sunk a little low here JediWitch.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing / CV/STICU.
A moderately tattooed CRNA here. I currently sport 7 pieces, several of which are fairly extensive including a half sleeve on my right arm. I also have several piercings, including a tongue ring that I wear all the time. Like it or not, right or wrong, some people will judge you.... I know I don't need to tell you that. It's just the way of the world. Take for instance the reference to people like us being low-brow (I'm paraphrasing of course) made by JediWitch. I guess all the rhetoric in nursing about cultural acceptance just doesn't apply to tattooed and pierced folks.

Generally my tattoos don't show at work, unless I take off my scrub jacket, and then my arm piece shows, but that is a rare event considering the frigid temperature of the ORs. My tongue ring does show I'm sure. I do not slur my words, nor is there a "bell" associated with my jewelry. People do indeed listen when I speak to them, and answer me appropriately, so I can say with some degree of confidence that they are not focused on how much pain I went through to get something that makes me so white-trashy.

I don't wear any of my other facial piercings at work simply because jewelry isn't allowed in the OR. I have had my tongue pierced for about 15 years, and have never been turned down for any job for which I applied. I got into nursing school with it; I got into anesthesia school with it. I experienced absolutely no difficulty in finding my first job as a CRNA with it, and in fact had my pick of several jobs. I am also well liked and treated just as professionally and respectfully as any of my colleagues. I have had several patients who have specifically requested me to do their anesthesia, and have received letters that were sent to the hospital's CEO from patients thankful for my professionalism and caring manner. Guess some people must have missed the memo that us tattooed and pierced folks should be held in such low regard....

It's just the way of the world.

I like how you put that because there will always be your conservative, old-fashioned, traditional types who can be judgemental and not so always accepting...

and then you have others who are the complete opposite.

I carry no tattoos that are offensive and I believe, that I myself can maintain professionalism as a future CRNA.

Thank you for your post as it gives me confidence that even APNs can strive far with "inkage"...

"Treat others as you would like to be treated." - RESPECT

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i know sugeons with tattoos.....not a big deal. You are entitled to express your self!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing / CV/STICU.
i know sugeons with tattoos.....not a big deal. You are entitled to express your self!

Wow, Surgeons too huh?

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