Newcomer with a few questions

I wouldn't worry about the facial hair, as long as it's well trimmed most places won't have a problem with it.

The tats however, are a different story. Some places have a policy that tattoos must be covered. Not a problem for the forearm tats, since you can wear a long sleeved undershirt under your scrubs. (Under Armour heat gear is great for this..) but the one on the hand is going to be a problem. Not sure how you will be able to cover that one.

Best to check with the school as to what their policies are, and each facility you go to for clinical will expect you to follow their rules.

I am also a student, but have worked as a phlebotomist for a couple years; and I also have tattoos on my forearms, just a couple small Japanese kanji characters. I always had to keep them covered, either with small bandages or wearing a long-sleeved shirt. I live in Arizona, so long-sleeved shirts are not so comfortable in 100+ degree heat; so I have decided to get the tattoos removed altogether. It may not be that big of a deal for you having to cover the tattoos, but my tattoos are not significant enough for me to keep them anyway- and I also got tired of getting the dirty looks from patients.

I also agree with LPNBearColumbus about the facial hair, not that big of a deal.

Thanks for the insight, luckily, I spoke with the local VA hospital and they have no problem hiring nurses with visible tattoos, even on hands, as long as they are vets. Good thing I am then I guess.

There also happens to be a huge demand for male nurses at that particular VA hospital, so I guess I'm in luck there. though I've heard that is pretty much the case everywhere.

I'm in a HR class, and the text speaks of how physical attributes influence an employer at interview time. The A= no influence, B= slight influence, C= strong influence. This is not healthcare focused, just employers in general, but interesting. I'd suspect a hospital would be more conservative. But also, the source IS quite aged, from 2006. I've heard over 50% of Americans now have tattoos, and having a beard myself, I notice they are full back in vogue.

Obvious tattoos A=25% B=46% C=29%

Beard A=73% B=22% C=5%

Mustache A=83% B=16% C=1%

(The full list of items is "Blue Hair, Body Piercings- Do Employers Care?", Occupational Outlook Quarterly 50. no. 3 (Fall 2006):24

We all have a past that can creep up on us, and I am not saying it is right to discriminate. But given that THAT is the reality of it all, and employers look at that, why do people have to get so many tattoes in the first place? Now hear me out...if we keep on making everything subjective then anything goes, and who knows what the next trend is? Have some respect and sensitivity for the patients you will care for. They are older, the older generation, and they don't really care about your new found freedom, they need someone who doesn't freighted them taking care of them.

We all have a past that can creep up on us and I am not saying it is right to discriminate. But given that THAT is the reality of it all, and employers look at that, why do people have to get so many tattoes in the first place? Now hear me out...if we keep on making everything subjective then anything goes, and who knows what the next trend is? Have some respect and sensitivity for the patients you will care for. They are older, the older generation, and they don't really care about your new found freedom, they need someone who doesn't freighted them taking care of them.[/quote']

Don't be ridiculous. A lot of us had tattoos before we even considered going into healthcare.

I'm a hiring manager and while appearance has some influence (professional or not), facial hair or visible tattoos don't really influence me as long as you are able to adhere to our dress code. Now if it was a swastika or prison appearing tattoos that you were making no effort to hide--I might be turned off :-)

I have seen facial hair be a problem for sure especially with all the H1N1 craze...I hire all kinds, shapes, sex's, colors, backgrounds, and dress...just come with effort and preparation (I did have a post about interviewing on the ED page if you want to search it).

Larry

Don't be ridiculous. A lot of us had tattoos before we even considered going into healthcare.

Ok...point taken. I am not against tattoos whatsoever, but I really don't understand the fascination. IMO they are ok " up to a point" and past that they are just ridiculous.

Ok...point taken. I am not against tattoos whatsoever, but I really don't understand the fascination. IMO they are ok " up to a point" and past that they are just ridiculous.

No hard feelings. And I understand where you are coming from. It definitely has become a trend and ppl do get ridiculous with it

As some have stated it is a trend in today's culture, now I'm older and will soon embark on a nursing career. However, currently I work in a somewhat professional environment, upon my first meeting with employers and co-workers I always cover my one tattooed arm. I find that for some reason people feel uncomfortable when they first meet me and see my tattoos, might be the what is this old guy doing with tattoos, back in his day only criminals had them (although normally soldiers, lots of green ink)...this is a great thread as I've been wondering how I would wear short sleeves working in a clinic type of environment as at work I always tried to wear long sleeve no matter the temps....