Lots of threads on tattoos but....

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I did a search for a tattoo thread and came up with several.... but I have a few small ones on my hands. My ring finger tattoo is covered by my wedding bands. I have tiny skulls on both of my middle fingers. And 3 hearts on the index finger of one hand. I got these tattoos years ago when I had given up on ever going back to school and starting a career. Oh the things we do when we're young and dumb. I don't regret any of my tattoos, but I want to b a nurse so bad and I'm about to spend 2 1/2 years working towards that goal. I searched the threads and because there are so many I didn't read them all. But from what i did read most said as long as you can cover them you should be ok. So I guess my question is are there any nurses out there with visible tattoos? Are my finger tattoos going to ruin my career before it even starts? I'd hate to have removed because they all mean so much to me.... but so does my future career :crying2:

Specializes in NICU.

Maybe it is because I am younger, but I also don't agree about the judgmental comment that tattoos = negative stereotype. I agree that all tattoos are not created equal and you have to consider factors like size, visibility, body placement, and subject matter. I personally don't have or ever want to get a tattoo, but my hubby has one on his back that he had before I first started dating him, and it didn't get in the way of my opinions of him. I agree some tattoos do put people up for judgment for first impressions, but not ALL are criminals, or out-there, or lacking morals. Sorry for getting off track, just my :twocents: on reading the other responses.

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I work with a few nurses who I have seen tattoos on the inside of their wrists. I haven't seen anyone have a problem with it and it certainly hasn't affected their nursing career. I personally wouldn't make it a big deal to cover them up except for job interviews. Otherwise just handle it on a person-by-person basis if your instructors or management has a problem with it. Wearing gloves, which you are supposed to do for most patient care anyways, will cover them up. Your tattoos are small so its not a big deal. Just don't get anymore visible ones ;).

I have a little green shamrock on the inside of my left wrist to represent my Irish heritage. It actually helped me in the interview process. I work for a hospital that, the shamrock, is their insignia : )

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In the 80's to me people with full sleeves or several tattoos were either a biker, prisoner, or a crazy SOB. Everyday people didn't have tons of tattoos.

These days tattoos are so commonplace, half the musicians in my church band have sleeves or are heavily tattooed and they are the nicest people you'd ever meet.

Over time it will become less of a big deal, for now I'd try and cover them up or talk with a manager about it.

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I have several tattoos that are small and I have only received complements on them. Tattoos seem to be more commonly accepted nowadays. Associating tattoos with criminals is a bit ridiculous! My husband is a cop with sleeves! I wouldn't worry about it.

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Don't let the few with a small world view to deter you. More of the nurses that I work with have tattoos than do not. On my shift, only three don't have them (of 13 nurses). We have several nurses (including myself) who have visible tattoos; one gal has them on her wrists. My hospital does not even have a policy on tattoos any longer; it's a total nonissue.

Here's a little study for you:

"Thirty-six percent of those ages 18 to 25, and 40 percent of those ages 26 to 40, have at least one tattoo, according to a fall 2006 survey by the Pew Research Center."

That study was from 5 years ago. Don't worry, you won't be the only one on your unit with a visible tattoo.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych, Tele, ICU.

All of my tattoos were done well after 18. I have one on my ankle (no one ever sees it at work), five large butterflies on my back (tribute to my grandmother, after she passed) and one on my inner wrist that says "Il fuoco nelle vene" (as a reminder to live fearlessly). I have never had a problem with my employers with the one on my wrist, and I never cover it. Don't worry about it!

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Tatoos will always be seen as "out there". IMHO, most of them are done at 18 and regretted at 30. "Young and Dumb" hits the nail on the head. Sorry. yes your visibile tattoos will hurt you in your job search. To the general population, they look cheap and cast aspersions on your mindset and morals.

I'm going to get a lot of flack here, but tattoos has been first and last associated with criminals.

Sorry but this sounds closed minded, judgemental and ignorant. As a nurse I have seen more tatoos on people I would never have expected to see them on. Sorry I disagree-- a lot of tatoos is one thing. I'm not talking Cat Von De here!! And thank you but my morals are just fine.....and I didn't get mine at 18. I have 3 and my last one I got at age 36.

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I have several more tattoos that can be covered with long pants and a t-shirt except maybe the one at the base of the back of my neck... it may poke out a little. I didn't realize that people still related tattoos with criminals. My husband and I appreciate the art. I know some may find it tacky or trashy.. but the way I carry myself proves I am neither. My husband gets CRAZY looks from people... he has tattoos on his face (scalloped flame "sideburn tattoo's on both sides), his arms are sleeved, full back piece and his neck all the way around. Don't get me wrong.. when you're THAT tattooed you're kinda asking to be stared at lol! And I can imagine what they must think of him... but behind that crazy exterior is the hardest working man, Manager of a gas/oil field company working in computers and surveillance, sweetest daddy, and the most caring husband. I know there are a lot of people out there who will continue to judge... I just wish they'd take the time to judge us on our actions rather than our tattoos. I'll do what I have to do to move forward in my career... maybe I'll try to cover during the interview and when they see my work ethic and how I carry myself they'll decide to keep me based on what kind of worker I am instead of letting me go because of a few tattoos.

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Sorry but this sounds closed minded, judgemental and ignorant. As a nurse I have seen more tatoos on people I would never have expected to see them on. Sorry I disagree-- a lot of tatoos is one thing. I'm not talking Cat Von De here!! And thank you but my morals are just fine.....and I didn't get mine at 18. I have 3 and my last one I got at age 36.

I think Steelydanfan is just being honest and giving her own personal opinion about tattoos. Why can't we all agree to disagree in a more respectful manner?

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Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse, Ambulatory Care.

There was a Respiratory Therapist at a hospital I used to work at who was absolutely beautiful and also had a full right arm of colorful tattoos. I never knew her personally, but I do know that she had been working there for quite some time and I'd heard people say nothing but wonderful things about her.

I have a big tattoo on my wrist. My nurse manager hasn't said a word to me about covering it/not liking it/whatever. If a patient or coworker doesn't like my tattoos, then it's too bad for them! I do my job well and I don't care what preconceived notions someone may have about my tattoo. It doesn't make me less of a person or less of a nurse.

I'd suggest covering them with makeup during any job interviews and then dealing with your employers tattoo policy once you land a job. I know it seems deceitful, but why should you be discriminated against for having a few tattoos?? I don't think you'll have a problem- unfortunately it just depends on how your nurse managers feel about it. Good luck!!

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I have several tattoos that are small and I have only received complements on them. Tattoos seem to be more commonly accepted nowadays. Associating tattoos with criminals is a bit ridiculous! My husband is a cop with sleeves! I wouldn't worry about it.

I agree, and to me tattoos should never be an issue, but with patients they might be. Even 25 years ago I would be shocked to find a police department that allowed employees to have sleeves. Patients may not understand that these days its perceived differently and tons of everyday people have tattoos, heck even the Hanson Brothers probably have sleeves by now. Most of our patients are going to be 60+ so they are from an era where heavily tattooed people were perceived much much differently and won't be their first choice of a caregiver. It will take some education and time to help older patients understand this generational difference.

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I agree, and to me tattoos should never be an issue, but with patients they might be. Even 25 years ago I would be shocked to find a police department that allowed employees to have sleeves. Patients may not understand that these days its perceived differently and tons of everyday people have tattoos, heck even the Hanson Brothers probably have sleeves by now. Most of our patients are going to be 60+ so they are from an era where heavily tattooed people were perceived much much differently and won't be their first choice of a caregiver. It will take some education and time to help older patients understand this generational difference.

I get the most heartfelt compliments from older men with tattoos (or the wives of older men who had tattoos). I love it when a 90 year old fellow pulls up the arm of his gown to compare tattoos with me and then tells me the story (fact or fictionalized, I don't care) behind his tattoo. Usually a war story, often something of a coming-of-age story, or a "thank God we survived that battle" story, or a "in memory of those who didn't make it" story, or a "I was drunk and stupid and didn't think I was going to live to make it home anyway" story. I've had a few wives tell me of their husbands' tattoos after seeing mine. It's such a sweet, intimate, bonding moment, and I feel so privileged to be told a story that may have only been related to close friends and relatives.

Some old ladies and gents hate them, and then they go on to tell me they hate it on their grandkids, too. I've never had anyone refuse to allow me to care for them because of my tattoos, and I certainly hope that anyone who spends more than 5 minutes with me realizes that I am a competent, professional, caring nurse and not an escaped convict.

Sure, my tattoos may not sit well with some older folks. But it can also open up a door with others. We aren't all the same, anyhow. What's wrong with a little diversity?

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