RN school and tattoos?

Nurses General Nursing

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I have been a LPN for about 5 yrs . . . I toy with the idea of going back for my RN or getting out of nursing completely. I recently got a large tattoo that goes from my shoulder to my elbow. The sleeve of my scrubs cover all but the tip (most of the time). Administration does not have policies about tattoos at my facility and I have received many compliments on it. My dilema is that a co-worker made the statement "I guess you won't be going back for your RN now. They'll never accept you with that tattoo showing through white scrubs." I was taken back by this, obviously I hadn't thought about the affects of my new tattoo when applying to a RN program in rural southern oklahoma, lol. I've thought that I could just wear long sleeves when I apply and interview ;) and it would probably mean covering it with bandages or such while in clinicals . . . :rolleyes: . Any how, just wanted to see what others think . . . whether or not it will be a big deal and maybe warn others BECAUSE I honestly didn't think about this before hand.

Specializes in ER/Trauma.
Tattoos ARE forever, but thankfully nursing school is not. I say cover the Tats, take out the piercings, and be willing to wait to express yourself more fully AFTER nursing school- when what you DO will matter far more than how you look. Who cares about style and individual expression while in nursing school. That can wait. For now, its all about learning skills and then passing the NCLEX! I say save the battles for the big stuff...and don't sweat the small stuff (and don't pet the sweaty stuff either !).
Good stuff!
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Looking professional is subjective. Being a professional should be more about how you perform your job, and less about how you look. If someone is that judgemental then nothing is likely to please them.

I'm not sure why you're acting like I'm attacking you for asking for clarification. I just don't see why in this century you would be "startled" by a tattoo.

Just so you know, I don't have any tattoos or piercings beyond my ears.

i can very well see her point - ( not that this is her perception here but MINE ) being from a small town we had a cna ( did not last long - to many complaints about him abusing them - real or not i dont know as i wasn't in the investigation) but when we look at someone with tats from thier ears to thier wrists showing, it sets off alarms - we "hear" stories on the news of gangs and tats etc - its scary stuff - we aren't used to it.....

when i first saw this man cna with tats from earlobes to wrists along with piercings where they dont belong - ( again my opinion) - i shuddered thinking what my residents would think as well as what type of person would he be - personally i did not like him he was cocky and had a crappy attitude and often looked stoned and only reinforced my jitters with seeing him and his "tats" - i was grateful i rarely worked with him ( twice the whole 2 months he worked there) - the elderly of today are fearful of that type of thing in our area- as our age gets to retirement and nursing homes i suspect tats and piercings will be more tolerable as "we" of this age are "getting used to" seeing them - these days elderly aren't. just my opinion and i would like to point out i am not against tats - i have a small one on my naughty finger so faded you can barely see it i never finished cause i was a wimp at the time and plan on getting a small one ( out of site) along with my son when he gets one) - my son has one tat that covers his back a scene and bible quote to portray his feelings from his time in Iraq for nearly 3 yrs ( again not where its seen unless he is naked or at least has his shirt off lol) and i have friends who have tats - however anyone i know that has a tattoo has no problem with covering them professionally because that is what is expected of them in most jobs ( except the factory workers i know)

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I'm sorry, but I refuse to adjust my lifestyle for other people, patients or others. My tats are mostly covered but I do have a visible tongue piercing. I'm not one of those "martyr"nurses though. I take good care of my patients but I will not worry that someone doesn't like the way I look or is "afraid" of a person with body art. I can't wear long sleeved shirts under my scrubs and I find having to worry that some prissy type may be shocked by my tasteful tattoo work to be NOT within reason. Most of the types that are that judgemental and fearful have anxiety issues and will find something to frighten or irk them anyway.IMHO, I think asking nurses to modify their beliefs/lifestyle especially when it's something minor like body art, exemplifies everything that's wrong about how nurses are viewed ie. self-sacrificing angels of mercy who only think about others. I care for my patients, but I never claimed to be a saint or a nun! Do you see doctors worrying that a patient may be "frightened" by their appearance?

cant honestly answer that cause in our area i have seen only one doc who I thought looked unprofessional ( jeans and work shirt - he ran a farm - doc was his hobby) and i called him on it when he started looking through my charts without telling me who the heck he was - the patients have made comments on him and i know MANY patients who WONT go to him because of his attire - their rational - in my opinion is valid - though his clothes are clean it still is his farm clothes and just seems gross to think what might be on those close or boots. this again is in MY area so dont know about other areas. now that i thinnk about it i dont even think he is in our area anymore ( havent worked with him as i dont work hopsital anymore so its been a few yrs.)

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It depends on so much!

If you are flexible with your options , I think that you will realize that perhaps tattoos are not accepted in most parts of the health related fields but I that you would be able to find a job as an RN somewhere !

In my world people would not judge you negatively for tattoos. I appreciate body art and would actually LOVE to have a health care provider with a tattoo! It opens the door for conversation and would add a comfort level to the care I was being provided .

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As a tattooed pagan person living in the midwest I tend to keep both my ink and my religion out of my professional life for the simple reason that I prefer to focus on my patients and thier care rather than discuss/argue/possibly distress them with something about me. My job isnt about me,its about Them. My Life is about me and I have lots of life outside my profession to express my spirituality and art.

Its not "fair" that the standards of professionalism dont include tatts or non-judeo/christian/islamic religions but thats the way it is. I do what I can to dispell myths about both when asked and leave it private otherwise.

I have plans for many more tattoos in the future, most of which will express my spiritual choices, but they will be coverable by scrubs and that's just fine with me. I also wear a pentacle but it stays under my top. On the occasions it does show I make the joke that I'm Jewish, just working on that 6th point.

You'd be amazed at the number of people who nod wisely and accept the explaination!

PS I too also plan on going to RN school, and if the powers-that-be dont ask if I have any, they'll never know.

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i know that this is a bit off topic, but i would like to invite everyone to join a group i have started on myspace. [color=#003399]http://groups.myspace.com/tattoednurses

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[color=#003399]i have three tattoos, all of which are on my wrists. i have been asked to cover them up as an aide and was thinking about their importance as an lpn. please stop by and glance at my group, i would be most apprieciative.

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