Ear Piercings

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I'm currently a senior in high school who is interested in becoming a nurse. At the moment I have 2 lobe piercings in each ear and a cartilage piercing in one of them. I'm also considering getting a third piercing in each ear lobe (which I really want). Basically, I want to know how piercings are treated in nursing school and in he work force. I know it varies slightly based on the school and work environment. I really just want to know whether I should get this third piecing or not. Thanks!

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Hi, to start off with, go ahead and cut off your ears. :roflmao: On a serious note, I do not think your ear piercings are going to be a huge taboo in a school and beyond, unless you go way over board with it. Having piercings is in the same alley as having your hair dyed green/blue/red. This is just how you choose to express yourself. So, once you get your third piercing, you should probably stop at that.

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Haha thanks for the advice! I think I'm going to go ahead with it but after that I'll definitely be done. :)

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

It is quite possible that a school will have a dress code that directly addresses piercings. Mine did- we were only permitted one pair of stud-type earrings (additional jewelry was limited to a plain wedding band- no engagement ring, no wedding band if it was engraved or had stones). If you do decide to go ahead with another piercing, be sure that it will be healed in time that you can remove the earrings for clinicals. A clinical site and future employer may also have its own policy addressing jewelry in general- being in the OR, our policy is that we are only permitted one pair of stud earrings that must be worn with the hat pulled over them to cover. So yes, as the PP said, you can choose to express yourself, but I would be ready to limit it when it comes to school and working.

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Thanks for the input! I really appreciate it!

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

It depends on your program. Mine only allows one small ear lobe piercing per ear. I have a friend who's program allows them two earrings per ear.

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I agree with PPs, it depends on your program. If you do get the piercing, just be aware that you may not be able to attend clinical with earrings in those holes, and you have to make peace with that possibility (even if it means the holes closing up).

The only piercings I'd vehemently recommend against are gauges. I had a few friends who started nursing school with large gauges. The school let them wear plain, solid gauges for clinical since the droopy, open holes were far more distracting and unappealing than the fillers, but they weren't happy about it.

Good news is that hospitals tend not to be as strict with dress code as schools, so it may be a non-issue after graduation.

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Ok. thanks!

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We're only allowed one piercing in each ear at my school. Ask schools in your area.

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