Almost into the nursing program... but have a tattoo sleeve

[bustthewave]

Sorry, I know this topic is probably beat to death here, but I couldn't find any topics that addressed this. My tattoo cuts off at the mid-forarm, so it can easily be covered up by long sleeves. It's not offensive in any way, it's an overhead of a man playing a grand piano. The piano bursts into color and waves as it travels up my arm (I love the thing).

I've never worked in a healthcare facility, but am really leaning towards med-surge. Would my tattoo from my post rocker days be a problem? I have no issues with wearing long sleeves to hide it.

[Teamlangston]

AS long as it's coverable it shouldn't be a problem. We're required to either wear long sleeves for bigger tattoos or bandages over any that are viewable in plain sight. No biggy :)

[Tina, RN]

Most likely, you would be asked to wear a long or 3/4 sleeved top to cover the tattoo. I have read a lot of requirements where employees need to cover up conspicuous tattoos. I assume nursing school would be the same?

[bustthewave]

Great! I feel a lot better, thanks guys :).

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

My friend has arm sleeves on both arms she just wears a lightweight 3/4 sleeves that actually complements her scrubs nicely

[loriangel14, RN]

It would depend on where you work but employers should be fine with it as long as you cover up.My charge nurse has a large tattoo on her lower leg and proudly wears capris to work in the summer to show it off.

[Moogie]

As tats become more and more mainstream, this should not be an issue. If the school or clinical site policy is that you need to cover it up, then do so. Frankly, if you were my student and I was you clinical instructor, it would not be a big deal to me. I'd be far more concerned about your competence and attitude than if you had tattoos.

Exception to the rule: some of the tattoos that make it on the website ugliesttattoos.com. A tattoo depicting anthropomorphized male or female genitalia would be offensive to many people, much more so than abstract designs (as I've seen with many sleeves) or other designs. If a tattoo was sexual in nature, contained hate language, depicted blood, guts, or feces, I might wonder a little about someone'e maturity level, KWIM? Please don't flame me for saying that but I don't think a visible tattoo of a pile of feces or a naked woman is very mature and can hurt someone's professional image. A sleeve or large design like the OP has described---no, I don't see that as being a problem whatsoever (though again, some people just don't like tattoos and some people are idiotic enough to make rude comments to caregivers with tats.)

The OT's tattoo sounds aesthetically amazing and, I hope it wouldn't be rude, but I'd probably comment on it because I thought it was so cool and would want to know the story. I think behind every tattoo is a story and many of those stories are just fascinating!

I think I embarrassed my college-age son when I asked one of his friends about his (very cool) tattoo. It was a bass clef with music because he is a music major. The friend seemed to enjoy telling me about it so I think I just embarrassed my son because I exist.

[BluegrassRN]

My hospital doesn't care about tattoos. I just gave a presentation to the heads of the departments, CEO and VPs, and board of directors with my tattoo showing (it takes up my upper arm, and it's summer here, so all my shirts show it to some degree). No one even blinked twice. I'm a charge nurse and the head of our unit council.

There are several people in my hospital who have tattoos that cannot be covered. No one frets about it. Most of us with a lot of visible ink work nights, though I'm not sure exactly what that means.

Schools, in my experience, tend to be more conservative. I was required to cover my tattoo during school. I just wore my school approved lab jacket all the time. Don't worry about it.

Just in case, I *would* cover it during the interview. Once hired, I'd see what the floor/hospital culture is like. On my floor, you're in the minority if you don't have a tattoo (though not everyone's is visible). We have about four people out of 20ish who are completely untattooed!

[klone, MSN, RN]

A tattoo depicting anthropomorphized male or female genitalia

I have to ask...

what is an anthropomorphized male or female genitalia? Like, a member with eyes and a mouth who is talking? I can't say I've ever seen a tattoo such as that before!

[evolvingrn, BSN, RN]

[quot

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Sounds like an awesome tat! I wouldn't worry about it.

Best of luck in school!

Tait

[Moogie]

I have to ask...

what is an anthropomorphized male or female genitalia? Like, a member with eyes and a mouth who is talking? I can't say I've ever seen a tattoo such as that before!

Yes.

Look on that website. It's on the Cheezburger Network. I won't put in a link because of concerns about TOS but trust me, it's really bad and not safe for work.