Body jewelry/regular jewelry policies

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

Hey everyone,

What are your hospital's rules regarding jewelry and piercings/tattoos?

Specializes in LTC, OB, psych.

Everywhere I've worked it is confined to no showing tattoos and only ears pierced. In my job in mental health, necklaces and large, rippable earrings are verboten.

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

I work with nurses that have visable tattoos and multiple piercings including noses and eyebrows.We wear rings and necklaces. I have several coworkers that were wear bracelets.

Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

What about nails? (Meant to include that in the original post :))

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

No more than three earrings in each ear, and one small stud in the nose. No other body piercings. Tattoos are to be covered (except ankles/feet, which I think is a bit bizarre). Fingernails - clean, no more than 1/4" visible over the backs of the fingertips, and polish is okay as long as it's a "natural" color.

Specializes in LTC, med/surg, hospice.

I'm not 100% sure but basically...

Jewelry- minimal (no big dangling earrings), 2 pairs of earrings per ear max, no visible body jewelry.

Tattoos- not visible

Nails- No artificial nails. Low cut nails.

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

I'm not sure of my hospital's exacy policy on these issues, but artificial nails have been know to harbor gram negative bacteria...which is why artificial nails are often 'forbidden.'

Specializes in PACU, OR.

My company's very strict; no visible tattoos, short nails, only clear nail varnish. Plain gold or silver chains, and the only type of earrings allowed are either small rings or studs. Wedding and engagement rings are allowed, provided they are not too ornate. Visible body piercings are an absolute no-no.

Specializes in ICU, Home Health, Camp, Travel, L&D.

Nails...NO POLISH or wraps, 1/4 inch and well manicured if in a patient care capacity. Even nursing mgmt can not have wraps/gels/tips/or POLISH.

Hair...up & controlled and "a hair natural to humanity" Not kidding.

Jewelry...one pair earrings, no longer than a fingertip from lobe. No facial/other visible piercings (don't think that hasn't raised more than a few complaints). One ring or set each hand, a watch or bracelet, no more than one each wrist.

One necklace or chain.

Makeup...tasteful and moderate (I guess no prom night eyes, here)

Headgear...only if required by religious conviction (I could make a case for the Atlanta Braves, if they'd just let me)

Eyewear...only as medically needed.

Ink...hidden.

Specializes in LTC, Med-Surg, IMCU/Tele, HH/CM.

At my job our hair is supposed to be a "natural" color and worn off the collar (though I wear my hair half up and have never had an issue).

Nails to be neatly trimmed and may wear clear nail polish. I find that hand sanitizer makes any nail polish funky though. Besides that scratches in the polish can harbor bacteria.

No dangling earrings, necklaces, etc. Earrings must be of a discreet size.

It says no visible body jewlery in the guidelines but I have a small nostril stuf that I was hired with. The other day a doctor pointed at my face and said "you have something on your nose", and gave me a sort of sideways look when I said it was pierced, but other then that I havn't had any complaints.

Other nurses have tastful tattoos that are visible ie around the wrist. The guidelines also say no visible tattoos. I have mainly only seen this on nurses that work at night however.

Specializes in Critical Care, Education.
Nails...NO POLISH or wraps, 1/4 inch and well manicured if in a patient care capacity.

Makeup...tasteful and moderate (I guess no prom night eyes, here)

Headgear...only if required by religious conviction (I could make a case for the Atlanta Braves, if they'd just let me)

LOL! That's a wonderful sentiment! Great chuckle to start the day.

Specializes in Burn, CCU, CTICU, Trauma, SICU, MICU.

Where I work - tattoos as long as they are not obscene - OK!

Body Piercings - as long as they aren't too drastic or distracting - OK!

Jewelry - whatever!

Artificial Nails - nope! it is not for appearance sake, however - it is d/t infection risk .

+ Add a Comment