Do you have visible tattoos or know anyone who has visible tattoos?

shermrn · Mar 14, 2016

If the tattoos are "offensive" or you're just self-conscious about them go ahead and put gloves on when you enter patient rooms. In general, I get the feeling gloves are dirty unless I see the person put them on or know they just put them on (if that makes sense).

The long sleeve shirt with thumb hole, or any long sleeve shirt really is an infection control issue. Those long sleeves are likely going to touch whatever your hands touch and there's no way to wash them between patients. So wear gloves when it makes sense but otherwise people will have to get used to the tattoos until you're able to remove them.

nlitened · Mar 14, 2016

Just a thought...having them lasered while in school wouldn't work. Tattoo removal sometimes causes blistering, scabbing, flaky skin. So this is something that you may have to talk to your instructor about, because it may be difficult to cover for clinical and also creates an infection control issue for you.

There are great videos on Youtube about tattoo laser removal and the recovery process.

Also, if your school was so strict about tattoos then why weren't you told this prior to admission?

lachase12 · Mar 14, 2016

I used Dior Airflash to cover an arm tattoo for a wedding. It's airbrush makeup in a can. It's about $60 but it worked really well and stayed on. I ended up continuing to buy it for my face because I liked it so much. Also, layer it on if you use it for the tattoo. I think I sprayed it in the back of my hand and used a sponge to dab it on for each layer.

xmilkncookiesx, RN · Mar 14, 2016

I used Dior Airflash to cover an arm tattoo for a wedding. It's airbrush makeup in a can. It's about $60 but it worked really well and stayed on. I ended up continuing to buy it for my face because I liked it so much. Also, layer it on if you use it for the tattoo. I think I sprayed it in the back of my hand and used a sponge to dab it on for each layer.

Where did you purchase it?

lachase12 · Mar 14, 2016

Sephora

LeChien, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

I was way younger when I got my tattoos done, before considering nursing.
I have on on my wrist going onto my hand, and on my other hand, I have one right on top of it.
I've used dermablend which did not work, used Kat Von d and didn't work, used Glamoflauge which did not work, went to a Sephora artist and they played around with a mix of makeup and nothing worked.
YES I know I shouldn't have gotten them there, so don't go judging me for it. I already learned from it. I don't want to hear all of that "you should get tattoos in other places" .. "You shouldn't have done that" .. All of that. I'm not here for that.
But if you have experienced the same thing and tried to cover any visible tattoos of yours or knows someone who has visible tattoos (e.g. Hands, fingers, wrists, forearms, neck, face, etc) please let me know or ask around what they've done to cover their tattoos up.
My professor has let me use a thumb hole long sleeve shirt for labs and she said she would speak to the director about my tattoos for clinicals .. But she never had and she KNOWS I have tattoos. So idk why she has yet to speak to he director and I start clinicals on the 23!!!
I emailed her days ago and she has yet to reply back and my school is closed. I was thinking of maybe wearing latex gloves (or non latex) prior to entering the pts room? A few nurses I've spoken with (during different tattoo removal consultations) suggested to use medical gloves or use the big bandaids that are waterproof ..
But I do plan on getting my tats removed during nursing school so that I can have them removed before graduation/before my nursing career.
I'm in my first semester of nursing school btw..

Just asking...why don't YOU speak to/email the director yourself?

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

I think there are more people at work with visible tattoos than not. I have one on my inner wrist that is small. The others aren't visible with scrubs on. (i have an ankle band, so with socks you can't see it).

xmilkncookiesx, RN · Mar 14, 2016

Just asking...why don't YOU speak to/email the director yourself?

I told you she has SEEN my tattoos, she knows about it. I've emailed her as well, CC her with my instructor. Neither have replied. Thanks for your rude comment.

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

Underarmour makes those half sleeves that many people use to cover their tattoos up. Also, bandaids are required if they don't otherwise try to cover them during clinical. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just use common sense.

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2016

I told you she has SEEN my tattoos, she knows about it. I've emailed her as well, CC her with my instructor. Neither have replied. Thanks for your rude comment.

That wasn't rude unless you were being sarcastic. Sheesh. Folks are sensitive on this gloomy Monday.

Farawyn · Mar 14, 2016

That wasn't rude unless you were being sarcastic. Sheesh. Folks are sensitive on this gloomy Monday.

Some of us are salty.