Just wondering if anyone else has career related tattoo's

Nurses General Nursing

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I just got one today, and it came out amazing. Its a butterfly that fades from green to blue to purple with the lettering LVN 2007 under it. Just wondering if anyone else has gotten any tats to commemorate their nursing accomplishments.

I just want to say that the caduceus is the symbol of Hermes, and represents commerce, alchemy, travel, and thievery, (wiki) not the symbol of medicine.

It's often mistaken for the rod of Asclepius; both are Greek, both involve snakes, and a staff. (wiki) Asclepius was the Greek god of medicine and healing.

The caduceus is the symbol of the US Navy Hospital Corp, but only because of the confusion above.

I mean, the caduceus has been used (mistakenly) for a long time as a symbol for the medical profession, so I don't think it's bad to have it tattooed. But if you want to be historically accurate get the rod of Asclepius.

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here's something interesting i found on the net:

"although the profession of nursing is as ancient as medicine, and may have the greatest right to the cup of hygieia as its symbol, most of the nursing societies in english-speaking nations use a lamp or candle, which is not only in memory of florence nightingale, but which represents the light of knowledge. the [color=#0000b6]international council of nurses (icn) uses a version of the lamp as its own symbol, but in 1999 adopted a white heart as the international symbol for nursing. the icn explains, "white was selected because it brings together all colours, demonstrating nursing's acceptance of all people. white also has a world-wide association with nursing, caring, hygiene and comfort. the heart shape communicates humanity and the central place that nursing has in quality health care."

from http://www.medhunters.com/articles/healthcaresymbols.html

i kind of like the cup of hygieia idea, but i also like the idea of a representation of the light of knowledge. or maybe some blending of these representations.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
I just want to say that the caduceus is the symbol of Hermes, and represents commerce, alchemy, travel, and thievery, (wiki) not the symbol of medicine.

It's often mistaken for the rod of Asclepius; both are Greek, both involve snakes, and a staff. (wiki) Asclepius was the Greek god of medicine and healing.

The caduceus is the symbol of the US Navy Hospital Corp, but only because of the confusion above.

I mean, the caduceus has been used (mistakenly) for a long time as a symbol for the medical profession, so I don't think it's bad to have it tattooed. But if you want to be historically accurate get the rod of Asclepius.

The Caduceus was actually first seen on Sumerian clay tablets to represent Enki, the God of Creation, The Earth, the Great Abyss (water), crafts, intellect, medicine and magic. His pictograph was two snakes entwined up a staff. In ancient civilizations the serpent represented spiritual wisdom, life and healing.

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Specializes in LTC/rehab, ED, med-surg.

Although I've been a CNA for several years, just graduated nursing school, and about to start working as an RN (have to pass boards first!) I'm going to wait a few years before getting a nursing-related tattoo. Yes, I feel like this is my calling, yes nursing has been my dream for the last 6 years, and yes I adore caring for others---I would hate to get a tattoo, become burnt out (it happens!) and be stuck with a permanent reminder of a career I hated.

Yeah, they're all if's and it's highly unlikely, but I'm going to wait. If, in a few years, I still love my job and nursing, I will be getting a Sailor Jerry/pin-up-esque tattoo of an old-fashioned nurse's cap. I'm not brave enough to get an entire pin-up tattoo, but as the nurse's cap is one of the most recognized symbols of nursing, I think it is something that is tasteful and cute. It'll look something like this:

nurse_cap1.jpg

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Stepdown, ICU, Emergency Room.
I just want to say that the caduceus is the symbol of Hermes, and represents commerce, alchemy, travel, and thievery, (wiki) not the symbol of medicine.

It's often mistaken for the rod of Asclepius; both are Greek, both involve snakes, and a staff. (wiki) Asclepius was the Greek god of medicine and healing.

The caduceus is the symbol of the US Navy Hospital Corp, but only because of the confusion above.

I mean, the caduceus has been used (mistakenly) for a long time as a symbol for the medical profession, so I don't think it's bad to have it tattooed. But if you want to be historically accurate get the rod of Asclepius.

Not really from any literary source that I can think of at this moment, but I was always under the impression that the Rod of Asclepius was the primary symbol for Doctors and the Art of Medicine in particular. The Caduceus has long been used for the Allied Health/Nursing fields, apperantly not for any historical purpose though.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Stepdown, ICU, Emergency Room.

And in reference to the OP: I have the caduceus tattooed on my arm. It is stylized, laying over an open book. To me it represents the medical field (apperantly incorectly ;)), and knowledge (both the knowledge I learned in school, and to symbolize that the learning never ends). I will post a pic in the future.

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This thread prompts me to ask a question that's been nagging me. I'm taking my pre-reqs and will be applying to nursing school ASAP. My tattoo (related to my Christian beliefs) is on my upper arm and "coverable", but I have two piercings that I dearly love that are way more obvious. The rook of my right ear is pierced (and I have short hair so it's very visible) and I have a small nose stud as well.

How huge of a problem are these going to be when I start applying for nursing school? The nose piercing would be easier to modify on a daily basis, but the rook piercing is kind of an all-or-nothing proposition. It would be basically impossible for me to remove and reinsert the ring myself on a daily basis.

Thoughts? Thanks!

it may depend on your school and how strict they are. one of my friends has her rook pierced (that's the little triangular part, right?) and has left it in all through school. i don't know about the nose ring though, sometimes people think those are more obvious. if you can i think i'd take that one out for clinical. but as someone pointed out before, any dangly piercings can be dangerous with grabby patients so make sure you're willing to take the risk of your ear getting pulled.

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Specializes in ED.

Hi everyone, I myself am covered in tattoos, but all are almost coverable by my scrubs. The one that peeks out here and there is the zombie nurse i have on my left upper arm. I have another nurse tat on my left thigh of Bettie Page in a nurses outfit. It is from a painting done by an artist named Olivia. Those are my only career oriented tats the rest are just misc.

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They sound AWESOME. I am finishing my RN (I've been an LPN for about 10 years), and I am planning on commemorating with a new tattoo, but I've been uninspired. I'm pm'ing you!

J

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Okay, GothikRN, maybe you have set your profile so that you can't receive PMs, or maybe there is a glitch in the site, but I can't pm you.

I would love to see pictures of both your tattoos, but particularly the Betty Page-esque one. It doesn't have to be on your skin--drawings are fine. I just really like the idea of the Betty Page nurse (though I kind of like the zombie nurse, too, that is so original!).

You should be able to PM me if you are interested in sharing a pic, or if you have a link to your tattoo artist's website, where he/she displays something similar.

The internet being what it is, I totally understand if you don't want to. They sound so awesome, though. Even if you don't share pics, you've totally given me a couple of new ideas to explore!

Thanks!

J

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If anyone has a picture of their tattoo I would love to see it. Does anyone have them online?

I was thinking about just getting a red cross (like the one from the Red Cross) across my shin. Although I do want it to be related to something medical, I also want other people to realize what it is.

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Specializes in RN, Cardiac Step Down/Tele Unit.

Here is a pic of the butterfly/Caduceus tattoo that I found on the internet and have thought about having something similar done.

nurse butterfly tat.doc

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