Heavily Tättooed: Can I get into nursing???

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Apr 14, 2005

There is one particular makeup designed just for covering birthmarks and tats. It's called Covermark. I have a friend with a strawberry birthmark over 50% of her face. With Covermark it is totally unnoticeable.

I use Dermablend to cover a rather dark birthmark near my eye. It is usually the focus of the "You should wear makeup" argument with some UDs.

I personally don't care for tattoos, but it would make little difference in coworkers.

tvccrn, ASN, RN · Apr 14, 2005

I have quite a few tats although only one is visible at work. It's a three leaf clover under my right ear. I work in a Catholic facitly and have never had any problems from anyone. i have even had administrators, doctors and patients tell me they like it. When have a day supervisor here that has a daisy chain on her wrist and no one says anything about it either. I do keep my forearms without ink for my own reasons, although I do have to admit they are mostly professional in nature.

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 14, 2005

I have tattoos from both shoulders to both elbows but I've never had any trouble from them in 15 years of nursing. I just wear long sleeves and nobody knows. Blind them with your amazing talent and nobody will care!

RedSox33RN · Apr 14, 2005

To the poster that has a classmate/colleague that gets too hot wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, I say tell him/her to get some UnderArmour. I swear by the stuff. I don't have any ink, but wear a white one under my scrub top, and am always comfortable. It's made to wick away sweat, and keep you dry. I spend a fortune on the stuff, between myself and my kids! But darn if it isn't the best stuff out there.

labman · Apr 14, 2005

First welcome to allnurses.com. For a tatoo concerned I am going along with the huge consensus and saying as long as you cover it up it shouldn't be a problem. I personally have someone who works in our hospital that is tatooed all over she just has to wear long sleeves. As long as it is covered up no harm done.

GOOD LUCK DAVE!!

KENT

PS I work at a catholic hospital to (they are pretty strict).

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 14, 2005

To the poster that has a classmate/colleague that gets too hot wearing a white long-sleeved shirt, I say tell him/her to get some UnderArmour. I swear by the stuff. I don't have any ink, but wear a white one under my scrub top, and am always comfortable. It's made to wick away sweat, and keep you dry. I spend a fortune on the stuff, between myself and my kids! But darn if it isn't the best stuff out there.

Under Armour? What is it?

(Sounds like stainless steel underwear)

RedSox33RN · Apr 15, 2005

Under Armour? What is it?
(Sounds like stainless steel underwear)

Athletes wear it - to either keep warm and dry or cool and dry. Most high-end sporting goods stores sell it, or you can go here: http://www.underarmour.com/ua2/ua/default.asp

It's pricey, but lasts a long time and really works. I'm never cold in the hospital when I wear it, and keeps me dry when I run.

NPs Save Lives · Apr 20, 2005

So....... Im a 20 year old Male and would like to get into the nursing field. The thing is Ive got alot of tattoos. Starting from my shoulder all the way down to my wrist on both arms(called sleeves). Im just wondering if nurses can get away with wearing long sleeve shirts, or if I could even wear a white long sleeve under the nursing uniform. Do any of you wear long sleeves? Or any of your co-workers? Some honest advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

At our facility, no one cares if you have tatoos. In fact, quite a few of the nurses have tatoos which they show off to each other regularly. As long as they are not offensive, I wouldn't think they were a problem. The older population (women) may be a little nervous.. The old men would probably show off their navy and army tatts!! Wear the long sleeves under your scrubs if you have too but definitely try to get into a nursing program.. We need great people out here.. Good luck!!! JScott BSN http://www.arnp.blogspot.com

hangnon · Apr 20, 2005

I have classmates with tatz and as long as they are covered up, it isn't a problem. Like the other posters said, wear long sleeves and you should be just fine.

rach_nc_03 · Apr 20, 2005

So....... Im a 20 year old Male and would like to get into the nursing field. The thing is Ive got alot of tattoos. Starting from my shoulder all the way down to my wrist on both arms(called sleeves). Im just wondering if nurses can get away with wearing long sleeve shirts, or if I could even wear a white long sleeve under the nursing uniform. Do any of you wear long sleeves? Or any of your co-workers? Some honest advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

several of my classmates (including me) have multiple tattoos that would be visible under a short-sleeved shirt. we just cover them with long sleeves under a scrub/uniform top; it's never been a problem.

the only time I've ever heard of it being a problem (and only in school) was a girl who had really short hair and a large tattoo on the back of her neck. She had to buy stage makeup to cover it during clinicals.

I agree with the other poster who congratulated you for breaking the stereotypes!

One thing I'd do- cover your tats when you interview (if you have to) for a nursing school program. You can certainly mention it later on, but there's no reason it has to distract the program director from *you*.

been there · Apr 20, 2005

So....... Im a 20 year old Male and would like to get into the nursing field. The thing is Ive got alot of tattoos. Starting from my shoulder all the way down to my wrist on both arms(called sleeves). Im just wondering if nurses can get away with wearing long sleeve shirts, or if I could even wear a white long sleeve under the nursing uniform. Do any of you wear long sleeves? Or any of your co-workers? Some honest advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Some facilities may not appreciate the art work but not all of them. I know of nurses with warts, freckles, leg braces and one who has a butterfly on the top of her breast that is easily seen. The best liked nurse in one hospital is an old retired Navy man. Now this guy has some stuff on him and he tells tales about how and where he had each one done. The patients love it. Maybe a recruiter or personnel interviewer, who cannot comment on it, would be "diverted" if you said "I'm sure you notice my tattoos. This one I had done in California at a little shop next door to an orthodontist......." Be straight forward about it and put the other guy at ease. I see many nurses, male and female, with tattoos and it is becoming more common place. I would love to have a tiny butterfly on my ankle but I'm fast approaching Medicare and it would be a waste on me!!!!! Go ahead and make the jump into nursing.

maxinern · Apr 20, 2005

So....... Im a 20 year old Male and would like to get into the nursing field. The thing is Ive got alot of tattoos. Starting from my shoulder all the way down to my wrist on both arms(called sleeves). Im just wondering if nurses can get away with wearing long sleeve shirts, or if I could even wear a white long sleeve under the nursing uniform. Do any of you wear long sleeves? Or any of your co-workers? Some honest advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Of course you can go into nursing!!! :nurse:

I have a few tattoos and they are all covered with scrubs. BUT if they were not covered I would still be a nurse. I hope that your tattoos will not be the major factor in your decision to be a nurse. Do what you want to do!! And I can tell by all of your tattoos that this is the way you have been living.

Wear long sleeves if you want to, BUT if you do not wear long sleeves, then people will just have to look at your tattoos, SO!!

(Although you should wear long sleeves in nursing school if it is a problem.)

Good luck!