Will my natural hair prevent me from getting a job in the future?

[cinderfloof]

I'm currently a nursing student, but I've been thinking about the future and my prospects. Right now, I have a naturally curly afro. I love it! I refuse to add extensions, flat-iron, or perm again. Of course I may place it in low buns for work and interviews or twist it into styles. In most jobs people appreciate it because they like the "ethnic" look (yes, people have told me that).

However, I come from a family of nurses and they maintain that I won't be able to get a job unless I straighten my hair. My curls are getting to be a bit too much work, too. I thought about getting dreads. I personally think they'd be beautiful and cost effective in my hair. I don't think they're unprofessional either, but I understand that I still live in white-collar America. It's honestly either that, or cutting my hair off completely.

What do you all think? Should I keep my natural hair, dread it, or cut it all off? Is natural hair a huge factor in job seeking?

[futureprovider]

Magnet hospitals love diversity ! Wear your hair how you want it and own it. If they don't offer you a position based on your hair they aren't worth it anyway ! That would be a major red flag. Good luck to you !

[CalicoKitty, BSN, RN]

Job interviews typically are the places you want to assimilate a bit. Kinda like nursing school, not the place to rock the boat. Not entirely, but you want to be remembered for how you interact with people and answer the questions, not for your hair/clothing being outlandish. Just like people would typically remove extra piercings, cover tattoos, and dye hair "normal" colors to get rid of the blue.

One you have a job (and maybe off orientation), then do what you want.

The hospital I work at now seems much more lenient with hairstyles as my old one. I work in a big city. People have blue hair, hair in various African wraps, Muslim scarves, Jewish kippahs, out, up, short, dreads, braids, wigs, etc. All of the hair you'd see in the community.

But, not sure what are you're in. So, things may not be as flexible.

[Bubbly26, BSN, RN]

I'm a black RN and proudly rock my fro. The best advice I can give is be yourself. If someone declines you a job based on the way you wear your natural hair then you probably wouldn't want to work at that place anyway.

Best of luck finding a job