Tattoos and nursing

Nurses General Nursing

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Ok so I have a question. I am going to be starting school soon to be a LPN. My question is I have a pretty good sized tattoo on my left wrist. It isnt offensive, its very pretty. It is a dragonfly. Do you all think I will have problems with employment and people taking me seriously after school is done. I want honest opinions. I will not get offended by anyhting any of you have to say. I am just trying to get all info I can. Thank You! :p

I have a cute picture of an angel I wouldnt mind having tattood, maybe on the back of the shoulder. I just dont know if I want a needle poking me that many times to get one. I guess you could say "I'm scared":chair:

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Tattoos are the leisure suit of the new mellineum. The only problem is you can't take them off or look at old pictures and laugh at yourself:D

They are the trademark of the gullible.

Whenever I see one (especially on a nurse) I think "Oh Boy- here we go"

BUT there are several decent people I know who've been duped into tattoos ( they now understand) and are very competent nurses.

:D

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Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.
Tattoos are the leisure suit of the new mellineum. The only problem is you can't take them off or look at old pictures and laugh at yourself:D

They are the trademark of the gullible.

Whenever I see one (especially on a nurse) I think "Oh Boy- here we go"

BUT there are several decent people I know who've been duped into tattoos ( they now understand) and are very competent nurses.

:D

Spoken like someone who doesn't have one nor has a desire for one. A tattoo is a very personal thing. The reasons people get one are as varied as the tattoo they get. I was not duped into mine, at 35 years old I knew exactly what I was doing. As a supervisor and a very respected member of 4 hospital committees (one with the vp of the hospital) I can assure you it in no way reflects how competent I am as a nurse. I am very good at my job, both the science of nursing and the art of nursing are second nature to me. My patients love me and my co-workers respect me. If I didn't show you my tattoo, you would never know I had one- at work. It is covered completely.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
Tattoos are the leisure suit of the new mellineum. The only problem is you can't take them off or look at old pictures and laugh at yourself:D

They are the trademark of the gullible.

Whenever I see one (especially on a nurse) I think "Oh Boy- here we go"

BUT there are several decent people I know who've been duped into tattoos ( they now understand) and are very competent nurses.

:D

That seems like a very closeminded thing to say, but of course you are entitled to your opinion.:) I am neither gullible nor duped. I am aware that this tattoo will be with me for life. That is why I chose my children's names; they will be with me for life as well. My tattoo is a tribute to my children, and my oldest who is only four loves it. She will rub it and say "That's my name mommy!" and it makes her really proud that her mommy loves her so much that I chose to permanently engrave her name on my arm. In my job, my tattoo for the most part is covered by my scrubs, even the short sleeve ones. However, sometimes depending on how I move, you will catch a glimpse of my panda's feet. You know what? People ask to see the whole thing, and I have YET to have someone look at me wierd, roll their eyes, or say anything besides "How cute!" or "That is adorable!" I have had people look at me strange because they did not realize I had three children, but that is another story!:rotfl: I do not regret my tattoo. AND my tattoo is my motivator to stay slim. The last thing I want is for my balloons to turn into blimps!:imbar

Edited to add: I am in no way insulting you for your opinion. I knew when I got inked that there would be people who would find my tattoo offensive and unprofessional. I feel the same way about smokers who hang outside of entrances of public places blowing their exhaust into the air we all have to share.:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Family Practice Clinic.

I have "Pouting Taz" on my left shoulder, I wear white scrubs, but you can't see him. And yes I am a Biker, lots of nurses and docs where i work are too.

Talk about the rings, if you have a setting that sticks up, you may cause a skin tear to an elderly patients skin. :uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21: :crying2:

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I have quite a few tatoos all in places not able to be seen when wearing scrubs. I won't get a tatoo in a place that can be seen when I am at work. Some people disagree, but I think as long as it is in good taste and isn't the first thing that you notice about you, you should be ok.

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I don't have any tats, nor a desire to get one.

They bother me less than my coworker who has had open sores on his arms for the past 7 years. . . at least the tats are healed! He doesn't wear gloves, either.

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i have 2 tattoos. one is a tribal sun on the outer aspect of my left foot and the other is music notes on my right hip. both are covered while i am at work. however, i am starting grad school this summer to pursue my masters and eventually work in either education or administration. i will have to wear skirts and professional attire and have a fear that while wearing heels, my foot tattoo will be visible and will be interpreted as unprofessional. what do you other nurses out there think?

ps: as a response to the original post, i think tattoos are acceptable as long as they are tasteful and small. i see them as making a person an individual!

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.

I'll make sure that in my last days on this earth, I get a "DNR" tattooed on my chest. :p

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As an experienced professional I want to give a warning against getting or showing any tattoos.

It is 100% legal to discriminate against people with tattoos. Currently there are lawsuits in the works in the area of religious tattoos but so far the courts have not overruled previous decisions.

For first responders, your employer can require you to list ALL scars or tattoos. It is a felony to lie. Often times for fire fighters they use a polygraph during the interview. In the extreme case of some city fire fighters they have a "swim test" where the point is not to test your swimming ability but to see if you have a disqualifying tattoo.

Having a tattoo is more than a form of self expression, their meanings go back much longer. The word "stigma" has the Latin base of tattoo or to permanently stain. Only slaves or known criminals had tattoos and where given tattoos against their will. In todays society a majority of people do associate tattoos with criminal behavior and social deviance. It is a legitimate fear of a patient of contracting hep C from a worker.

Having a visible tattoo can and will probably preclude you from achieving your potential as far as you career goes. So to all you in the lower echelons of nursing with visible arm/neck tattoos who dream of achieving more:trout:.

My advice is to not get any. If you all ready have them, hide them and lie about them.

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I think patients are more concerned with you providing care - I don't think it would be offensive.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
In todays society a majority of people do associate tattoos with criminal behavior and social deviance. It is a legitimate fear of a patient of contracting hep C from a worker.

Having a visible tattoo can and will probably preclude you from achieving your potential as far as you career goes. So to all you in the lower echelons of nursing with visible arm/neck tattoos who dream of achieving more:trout:.

My advice is to not get any. If you all ready have them, hide them and lie about them.

Wow. 1st, I'd like to see the research proving that which I bolded--I call BS. Same with the city fire fighter faux "swim test"-every single nyc fire fighter I've ever known (all 16 or so of them) has had at least one tattoo-either the badge with the ladder number, or something fire-fighting related, or related to their wife/kids (name on a rose, tatted baby footprint or portrait, etc).

2nd, it is not a legitimate fear Re: Hep C, because all tattoo parlors are required to use new needles and sterilized equipment, so the risk is actually extremely low.

3rd, you can fish slap people all you want, but I have a visible tattoo and I've been offered leadership positions (turned them down) and have been accepted into Midwifery School. I've already exceeded my expected potential. An ER nurse where I work is covered in tats and recently won employee of the month. He's often the charge nurse.

4th, Your advice to lie about or hide my tattoos? Thanks but no thanks. And I plan on adding to my collection. ;)

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