Got accepted to Nursing school...but I want a tattoo :(

Nurses General Nursing

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So a few weeks ago I got the notice that I was accepted to a nursing program at the local CC (which apparently is extremely competitive). I've started working on getting everything finished (forms and other stuff I need to get done). The thing is I want a tattoo haha. I'd like an ambigram on my wrist. Not sure exactly what to get, but I was thinking of the ambigram that says angel, and when you read it upside down it says devil...or I could completely get something else. I just don't want this tattoo to ruin everything and keep me from getting hired? :( The last time I went to the ER, the male nurse that was with me had a big tattoo on his forearm, so maybe its ok. I just wanted to know how the hospitals that you all work at take it? Is it something thats frowned upon, or do they not care? Should I wait until I graduate and get hired first and then get it? lol. blaah. I'm just talking too much now. Hope some of you could let me know how your facility takes tattoos.

Specializes in Critical Care, Clinical Documentation Specialist.

Why not get the tattoo as a gift to yourself when you graduate? I am thinking about getting one on my foot or ankle... besides another meaning, it's meant to be a sign to myself of my hard work and accomplishment.

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Specializes in ER.

I am not the kind of person who believes every tattoo should have an incredibly deep and profound meaning/story behind them. However, I do think people should think long and hard about getting something that will either be there forever and be an expensive PITA to get off. I am currently a senior nursing student (and a family medicine practice employee) and have a full back piece, a half sleeve (which I got last semester :D), one covering my R foot, and one on my left wrist. When I got these, I got them because to me they were like very expensive artwork - they were something I found very, very beautiful in a timeless way, like something I wouldn't mind having hanging on my living room wall for sixty years were it on a canvas instead of skin. Do I have to sometimes be hot or inconvenienced in some other way just to cover them up? Yes, but I thought about that before I got them and they are worth it to me. My question is, is the tattoo you're considering something you would find beautiful enough to have hanging in your living room for sixty years? Something you would stand in line for hours at an art museum exhibit to see? I know that these kind of questions I ask myself when considering a tattoo might seem extreme, but I think putting something that will be on me a very, very long time and possibly influence the way people interact with me (outside work, mainly, since I cover them) is something that deserves a lot of thought.

That being said, I have always worn a watch over my wrist one, and since it is 2 inches by 2 inches, it is not completely covered; no one has ever said anything negative to me about it. In fact, at my last clinical (for community) the office manager of the health department I was at asked to see it and asked me why I try to cover it up. Now that I have clinical after getting my half sleeve, I will be wearing 3/4 length shirts under my uniform, which I don't mind (I've even found scrub tops with 3/4 length sleeves for when I get a job :)). My advice is just think about it... a lot. Make sure this would be something that you love so much, it's worth the occasional (or frequent) inconvenience if necessary.

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I am not the kind of person who believes every tattoo should have an incredibly deep and profound meaning/story behind them. However, I do think people should think long and hard about getting something that will either be there forever and be an expensive PITA to get off. I am currently a senior nursing student (and a family medicine practice employee) and have a full back piece, a half sleeve (which I got last semester :D), one covering my R foot, and one on my left wrist. When I got these, I got them because to me they were like very expensive artwork - they were something I found very, very beautiful in a timeless way, like something I wouldn't mind having hanging on my living room wall for sixty years were it on a canvas instead of skin. Do I have to sometimes be hot or inconvenienced in some other way just to cover them up? Yes, but I thought about that before I got them and they are worth it to me. My question is, is the tattoo you're considering something you would find beautiful enough to have hanging in your living room for sixty years? Something you would stand in line for hours at an art museum exhibit to see? I know that these kind of questions I ask myself when considering a tattoo might seem extreme, but I think putting something that will be on me a very, very long time and possibly influence the way people interact with me (outside work, mainly, since I cover them) is something that deserves a lot of thought.

That being said, I have always worn a watch over my wrist one, and since it is 2 inches by 2 inches, it is not completely covered; no one has ever said anything negative to me about it. In fact, at my last clinical (for community) the office manager of the health department I was at asked to see it and asked me why I try to cover it up. Now that I have clinical after getting my half sleeve, I will be wearing 3/4 length shirts under my uniform, which I don't mind (I've even found scrub tops with 3/4 length sleeves for when I get a job :)). My advice is just think about it... a lot. Make sure this would be something that you love so much, it's worth the occasional (or frequent) inconvenience if necessary.

Yeah, I agree. It doesn't need to have a big meaning. I was just giving that example to someone. I also see them as art, I just haven't gotten any because I don't want to get turned away from jobs because of it. I'm sure if its covered it'll be okay though. I think an ambigram is awesome. You read one thing, but when you read it upside down it reads something else. =] So I do want an ambigram, but what it will say, I'll think about. Maybe Angel-Demon isn't something I'd want for life haha. I'll see, but thank you!

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My Daughter just finished her first year of Nursing school. I've been a nurse 20 years. When I was in school a tatoo was a definate no no. So when she was accepted I was aprehensive, she has several visible tatoos. She has not had any one make a derogative remark about her tatoos. She states "No one cares". I also work with many nurses who have tatoos and piercings.

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I'm just going to put this out there really quick .... If it's been said already, I apologize...

So what you're wanting to get is something that says, "Devil" on your forearm. ........

I love tattoos and people look freaking awesome with a great tattoo, HOWEVER you *have* to think of what you're dealing with here...

If you got it on your shoulder blades or even your leg (great idea there), you're covered and have no worries. If you get it on your forearm, you HAVE to wear long sleeves for a variety of reasons:

1. MANY places won't even hire people w/ tattoos unless they have the option for long sleeves or a way to cover it. Your nursing school will probably have a huge problem with you getting the tattoo, as well. Some places don't allow sleeves at all for infection control reasons, so you're SOL with places like that.

2. Many FAMILIES that are older (aka 75+% of those that are hospitalized are >70) view tattoos as rebellious, disrespectful, unlawful, and dirty. I'm 26 years old, seen some people with the back tattoos (also called tr**p stamp) peeking out from their scrubs when they bend over, and thought to myself, "That looks freaking awful". Your new job is HUGELY driven on respect received from the patient and their families. If you don't HAVE their respect, EVERYTHING you do is scrutinized, documented on their little pads of paper, etc. You're making your job harder, and IMHO putting a stamp on your forehead that says, "Sue me I'm an easy mark."

3. You will deal with confused patients that may still be able to see enough to read (ie- Alzheimer's, Dementia, Alcoholics going through DT's, patients w/ Schizophrenia that are in for other reasons, etc.). If these patients see your tattoo the way that says, "Devil" they have a huge possibility of freaking out. You're opening yourself to being kicked where the sun don't shine so they can get away from you because they think you're the spawn of satan or something.

In short: Getting a tattoo is a great idea. ... Don't get it where people can read it with your scrubs on.

Finally, if you think that maybe a piercing would be better for you, I'd have to agree - you can take that out at any time if it's received poorly, and within a few weeks it'll be healed and like new :)

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Yes tatoos still carry a stigma to some older folks who associate them with bikers, guys on Lockup and drunk sailors on shore leave, but there was a time when pierced ears carried a stigma, too.

Tatooing is in the process of becoming mainstream. How long that takes is anyone's guess, but if I saw a small tattoo on a wrist I wouldn't give it a second thought. I do agree nursing school has far more spartan a dress code than the average employer would. Best wishes to you!

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The nursing school I attend does not allow any visible tattoos or piercings other than one set of holes in each earlobe. I think that's pretty standard.

I hope you mean one set of earrings. If the holes are already there, they're not going to go away...

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lol @ BULLYDAWGRN.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

check your school and workplace policy. I have a wrist tattoo and have never had ANY problems with it.

Fraser Health lets us have 2 piercings (one on each ear or wherever [the visible ones]).... and tattoos that are not offending to others :) Mind you mine is a tweety bird.. who would be upset with that lol

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