Nursing and tattoos

Nurses General Nursing

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 have one on my left breast....a long stem red rose with the stem sticking out of a heart...

i wish i had the money to get a few more...i think thier kinda cool....if a person doesnt go overboard.

what's overboard?

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I have a fairly large one on my low back (4" X 6") I have always wanted one but thaught I was too flighty (i am) so I put it back there, I never get tired of it because I don't look at my naked low back all the time, and when I am old that are of the body doesn't wrinke much, just sags, I am sure it will not look as good as it does now, but at least a cna will not be stretching my skin when I am 90, stating "what the hell is that":rotfl:

I toyed with the idea a few times but just couldn't get the image out of my head: me, female, at age 80, with tatoos on my wrinkled, sagging, droopy old-person skin. Kind of ruined the glamour for me!:chuckle
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I have a tribal caduceous at the small of my back. It was designed by a couple of corpsmen that I worked with in the US Navy. For that reason, it will forever remain priceless as a token of the bonds created in the armed forces.

On another note, it almost cost me a job. I was reaching across the counter in a coffee shop and it could be partially seen above my drawstring pants. The hospital administrator happened to be there. He tried to stop my hire for the position he accepted me for the day before. I take pleasure in the fact that I eventually left that small, conservative town. The tattoo was definitely a better option than the town.

Do you have a pic of that one to post? Sounds incredible...SG

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Specializes in Psych/Detox.

Didn't have the option: Yes I have one tattoo, no it is not in a discreet area. I have

a rose on my wrist. Facility wants me to cover it up. Get many more comments about

the "bandage" on my wrist than to just have the tat showing! They said that tattoos

scare the older pts! Funny that I am the older nurse!

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Specializes in Critical Care / Psychiatry.

I have keloids - all the luck! Ugh! I found out that I had keloids when I was 13 and got a mole removed and found myself in even worse shape with this big huge ugly itchy red scar. It has since flattened and healed...though it's taken a good 10 years. I did manage a belly button piercing that didn't scar, thank goodness! It was a few years ago and I was among friends and feeling crazy on a fun summer night. I'm afraid to get my ears repierced as they closed up since I was a little girl. I'm afraid that a tattoo would aggravate my condition and I would be left with a ugly multicolored raised scar instead of a nice tattoo. I really would love to have a )O( tattoo though. It is a triple moon and has much to do with my past and my spirituality.

Shel

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

That's cool Shel...I am getting that very same )O( in June, on my back :) I have 3 tattoos and want at least 4 more LOL...I can't wear earrings though because they make my ears all infected (every kind does that!)...I really want my belly button pierced but I'm sure the same thing would happen to that piercing! :uhoh3:

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1 on my lower back - about 5" in diameter, got it 4 years ago. I'd always wanted one, but could never find any I really liked. I was in a studio 1 day & found a great one. I had the artist shrink it down, put color in it, and 2 hours later I was inked! I have always been nervous when it comes to needles, but it didn't hurt a bit! It's the yin-yang with starbursts around it and almost tie-dyed in color. I also have my navel pierced (for about 9 years now). No more piercings for me, but I really do want another tat someday soon. It's really not noticeable unless I bend over in low-rise pants.

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That's cool Shel...I am getting that very same )O( in June, on my back :) I have 3 tattoos and want at least 4 more LOL...I can't wear earrings though because they make my ears all infected (every kind does that!)...I really want my belly button pierced but I'm sure the same thing would happen to that piercing! :uhoh3:

I have the same problem w/piercings - most metals bother me (however) there are a few metals that dont - high quality gold (occasionally silver) and titanium/platinum

If you guys/gals are having trouble with metals you could always try organic jewelry (wood/bone) or they do make glass and plastic...(in lots of colors)

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I have keloids - all the luck! Ugh! I found out that I had keloids when I was 13 and got a mole removed and found myself in even worse shape with this big huge ugly itchy red scar. It has since flattened and healed...though it's taken a good 10 years. I did manage a belly button piercing that didn't scar, thank goodness! It was a few years ago and I was among friends and feeling crazy on a fun summer night. I'm afraid to get my ears repierced as they closed up since I was a little girl. I'm afraid that a tattoo would aggravate my condition and I would be left with a ugly multicolored raised scar instead of a nice tattoo. I really would love to have a )O( tattoo though. It is a triple moon and has much to do with my past and my spirituality.

Shel

Just a comment on tattoo inks -

http://risks.bmezine.com/?Ink_Allergy

Tattoo inks are totally unregulated and generally tattoo artists are not even aware of what specific ingredients make up the pigments-only a small amount of tattoo ink is allergy tested. These pigments range from metal oxides to synthetic organic dyes. Inks most commonly reacted to include reds and yellows. Some people have react with red, bumpy, sore, or itchy skin on and around the tattoo. Some people will have more severe reactions such as blistering, skin lesions, and persistent infections.

Oh and about the keloids

http://risks.bmezine.com/?Keloid

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No, I don't have and don't want a tatoo. But if I did, it would be "DNR"

on my chest and a list of dr's I'd refuse to have care for me! LOL

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:nurse: I like my tattoos,the first one i got on my left thigh 28 years ago,i have a tribal like pattern on my lower right leg, its about 4 in by 3 in, get lots of compliments on that one. Last year a nurse that i work with has a relative that has a tattoo parlor, she had a tattoo party at her home, about 15-20 nurses all had tattoos done, most of us had more than one. one of the nurses was in her 60s and she got 2. I had a vine with 2 flowers placed on the outside of my right hand and it twists up to by little finger and there is a lady bug on my finger.i have had a few problems with the one on my hand, the colors ran a little and i had to have it outlined with black. i could have done with out the lady bug, but i got that to remind me of my grandaughter that died. I also have my ears pierced 3 times on the lpbe and on my left cart.i have 2. I have always worked in LTC and no one has complained about them. they do make a cover up if they need to be hidden. The administrator knew about the party and wanted to see every ones tatts. I will probably get a few more.!
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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

I got the navel pierced yesterday. After the butterfly and daisy tattoo, that's as far as i'm going.

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