Nursing and tattoos

Published

  1. Do you have any tattoos?

    • 716
      No, never would
    • 525
      No, but would like to
    • 712
      Yes, but only one in a discreet area
    • 83
      Yes, but I wish I didn't
    • 990
      Yes, I have more than one, but less than ten
    • 132
      Yes, my body is a living canvas

1,962 members have participated

:D Just thought we needed a new poll...

i am new to allnurses, and this subject caught my eye. i currently have 3 tattoos and 3 piercings, all of which i am more than happy to cover or remove during "scrub" hours.:devil: my husband is a tattoo artist, so i am sure there will be several other pieces of art work to end up permanently on my body.

my thought in taking such pride in my tattoos is that when i am wrinkled and sagging, and require the care of fellow nurses, they will look at the symbols and designs that depicted the life i lived and will know that who i was, and that i lived my life my way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow, naughty. I feel like we should have met when I was at home in Indy!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I have 6 and plan for more. My back is a combo of 3 that covers most of it i have a one on my chest that covers both pecs, one on my right bicep, and one on my right calf. All my tattoos are in places that can be covered by scrubs. In the end i plan to have my chest, back, and arm connected. I will be getting more on my left arm that will connect to the other pieces then have designs running down my flank areas that will connect to future full leg tattoos. I would love to go full sleeved but i feel that this my not be best for me. In this field as a nurse I deal with patients who are scared needing care and to have some one who completely covered in tattoos can cause problems. This is my personal view and do not say it is right or wrong but just right for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in general surgery/ER/PACU.

I have a knight in armor tattoo on my left shoulder area and plan to get more. I just got it this year for my wife who says I'm her knight in shining armor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Awww, Ben that is sooo cute!!!! It's nice to see that you and your wife are still so in love!! :kiss

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC/rehab, ED, med-surg.

I don't have any tattoos...yet! Honestly, I've never had that much extra cash lying around just to go get some ink. I have plans for several, mostly Sailor Jerry-esque tats, including a sparrow on my lower abdomen, a star on my foot, cherry blossoms (somewhere, maybe my back?), an old-fashioned type nurses' hat after I've been working as an RN for a while.

Call me cynical, but I'd absolutely hate to start working as a nurse, find out that it's not for me (I seriously doubt it, nursing is truly my calling!) and then be stuck with a tat that represented something I didn't like.

As far as piercings go, I don't have anything very radical. I have 3 holes in each lobe but I only ever wear one earring in each ear. I got my tragus done last summer and have a 16g black titanium continuous ring in it...I love it, think it looks great, and it's unconventional without being totally rebellious! Plus it's pretty unnoticeable unless you're looking hard at my ear. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Physical Rehab, Psych, MMTP, HIV/HCV.

I have 3 tattoos so far. one on each upper arm and one on my lower back. All completely covered, even with short sleeves. Most people (professionally) don't even know I have them. I had my tongue pierced but eventually removed it because I thought it would be more professional not to have any piercings/tattoos on my face. I would never get a tattoo that I could not cover easily when I went to work. What I wear after work is a totally different story. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there fellow nursing students and RNs!

I just got here, well... funny I was searching for a site who cater Q's regarding tattoo issues in Medical related profession. Luckily, I ended up here. It was quite a relief knowing that tattoos are somehow accepted in our "world" if I may say. BTW, today is my graduation from BSN, I can't sleep so I've decided to surf for a while. I found this ultra-cool site and did something significant like signing in. Hehehe. I'll see you all soon. Take care and God Bless.:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mostly LTC, some acute and some ER,.

I have 3 . . .and I am just getting started. when I get old, and my skin sags . . . so be it. Its not going to sag any time soon I hope, so I will have many years of enjoyment of my tattoos. I probably will be a living canvas, because thats just what I am into, but I don't want any tats on my face, neck, or arms below the level that a scrub top would cover. As for piercings . . . if I was not in the medical profession I would do my lip and lounge, but i don't think its a good idea. I do have my nose. I think a nose stud looks nice, and the facility I work at is okay with nose studs. I just think the hoops in the nose look kinda bad.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating room Scrubbing, Anesthetics,.

am planning to get small tatoo on hip hopefully in next few months.. have heard said that a rose on a 20 year old boob becomes a whole vine of climbing roses in 20 years!! had a pt with a small spider on a delicate member.. probably boasted that it turned into a tarantula!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health Care,LTC.

I have one on my left leg about mid calf area. It is Winnie the Pooh sitting on a log hold 4 balloons. In each of the balloons are the initials of my 4 children. (3 living and 1 in Heaven with God). Her balloon has a halo around it.

I just love it!!

But it is covered with my scrubs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Health Care,LTC.
Hi there fellow nursing students and RNs!

I just got here, well... funny I was searching for a site who cater Q's regarding tattoo issues in Medical related profession. Luckily, I ended up here. It was quite a relief knowing that tattoos are somehow accepted in our "world" if I may say. BTW, today is my graduation from BSN, I can't sleep so I've decided to surf for a while. I found this ultra-cool site and did something significant like signing in. Hehehe. I'll see you all soon. Take care and God Bless.:D

:welcome: to allnurses. Glad to have you. Hope u enjoy our site.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion