During nursing school I had a small mohawk (roughly half an inch?) and the sides of my hair like a two. I hope the measurements make sense. Anyways, I shaved it awhile back due to the concern of scaring patients and or fellow coworkers. Lately, I have the urge to get it back and I don't like the look of the fohawk. I want to have my mohawk again. I will soon be working in the intensive care unit, and I'm wondering what my fellow nurses think of this? It would be a small mohawk. I'm trying to end the stereotype of people with mohawks are aholes.
that is what you believe, to make your life easier, to fit in, not stand out, wallflower... whatever you want to call it. Some people really aren't bothered with these types of concerns. Just like those that don't feel the need to look like celebrities in magazines. It's all trivial. As I wrote: good luck with that.
I believe it because it's true...and so does upper management. :)
Good idea.... start with the fauxhawk and once you're in and established, toe the line by growing out a little....see what happens.
I agree. And I still want to see pics!!!!! LOL
My brother had one [fauxhawk]- he also has piercings and tatooes- but can take out the piercings and easily hide the tattoes. He works in customer service- which is not the same as nursing I know- but still deals with the public- and older ladies actually told him he looked cute- he's also done some crazy things inthe past with color- like a spiderweb and a checker board -LOL But it FITS HIM and his personality- some people are born to stand out- don't fight it. Embrace it.
Galaknore, you asked for opinions and I'll be happy to give you mine, but again, it's just MY opinion. That and 1.50$ will buy you a cold soda at the gift shop, so again, it's just my 2 cents worth.
When I first started working in hospitals 25 years ago, the "Farrah Fawcett" and "Barry Gibb" hairdo was all the rage. Hard to believe, but I used to have "wings" that were permabonded to my head with Aquanet, GOD I LOVED THAT STUFF.
Over the years, I've had everything from the curly permed mullet to the "high time flat top" and now, it's simply buzzed. I get the charge nurse in my ER to buzz my hair with the trauma clippers every Thrusday night (hey, that's tonight, gotta get it done before I leave in the AM).
I would say check with your HR Dept and the Nursing department to see what the hospital policy has to say with regard to hair style, ear rings and tattoos. Have fun with it, tell the HR director that you want to have a "Dragon sleeve" tattoed on your left arm and you are afraid that will scare patients, maybe you'll just get a mohawk instead?!?! Watch her laugh, then watch her squirm when you hold your straight face.
Honestly, I would feel cool with it if someone came in with a mohawk to care for me, they'd probably be coming in to remove my nipple rings for a CXR in the ICU, however, I'm sure my mother would not feel comfortable with that same nurse taking care of her or me if either of us were in the hospital.
Sad but true, people sum you up and make an assessment of you in about the first 10 seconds they see you. You are gonna have to do LOTS of fast talking and impressing in 10 seconds to get some folks past a hair style. Agian, the option is yours, just keep in mind some of the obstacles that you may be putting in your own pathway.
I've gotten more flack for being a guy than the fact that i have 10g plugs in my ears and a faux hawk. i'm in a surgical step-down and most of my patients are so sick and have so much going on that they just want someone knowledgeable over anything.
the idea that looking professional means looking cookie cutter and boring is really antiquated. I have no desire to be upper management or administration. my patients have a great deal of respect for me, and i get mentioned in cards sent to the unit all the time (probably because they remember me and my crazy hair and gauged ear lobes). also have the respect of my colleagues who know what i'm capeable of and respect my knowledge base.
my advice to the OP. establish yourself first, then go wild. you're going to run into people who judge you for all sorts of reasons regardless. I think it varies by area too. i'm in a big hospital in a metropolitan area.
Yeah, go for it. I know nurses who have done some wild things, but what is the difference (in professionalism) between showing off your chest (females) and showing off hair (guys). In my opinion, I would much rather see crazy hair, than be peering down the shirt of a...ahem...well-endowed woman. it all deeals with professionalism and how each person sees it. Mgt will have their way, and you will have yours. If you are a professional person and are within the code of conduct, then by all means...go for it! Good luck!
We have a hospitalist that I jokingly call "32 or Bust" because that seems to be the # of chunky hair spikes he tries to get on his head. It looks like something straight from anime, but he acts professional and does his job and although he gets a few comments about his spikey do, it isn't causing chaos.
I've gone from shaved to short to fauxhawk to long back to short and I've had no problems. I've worked with a nurse who had purple hair extensions and tattoos on her neck. The lovely thing about nursing in this day and age, at least where I live, is that they're in such demand that some displays of excessive personality isn't going to get you in trouble.
And I still want to see pics!!!!! LOL 
justme1972
2,441 Posts
I believe it because it's true...and so does upper management. :)