Nose Piercing

Nurses New Nurse

Published

Okay; a woman I went to school with showed up at orientation today with her nose pierced. She said she had it done about three weeks ago because it was one of those things that she always wanted to do. I am not sure how old she is, but she must be near my age (42). At the end of the day, she pulled me aside and asked me if I thought that she should take it out to look more professional. I didn't really know what to say-there's no policy against it at the hosp. as far as I know, and I asked her if anyone had said anything to her. She said "no"-except for a couple of funny looks-but she did say that she had it done AFTER her job interviews, and AFTER she had accepted the job offer. I suggested that she go with her "gut" feeling-but I feel like I should have given her better advice, what do all of you think I should of said? (I'll see her tomorrow and Friday)

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
The "crust" that accumulates around the edges of the stud is a build up of dead skin cells, makeup if you wear it, and possibly the remnants of an infection, and is IMHO very gross. I wear a nose stud to work (ED) and I always clean it every day and make sure it looks clean and presentable, and have not yet had any complaints. I even had an elderly woman tell me that it was really pretty! I know I'll have to take it out for nursing school, but management at my hospital is cool with it - but I'm in agreement that if it's big, a hoop, or not clean, it should not be worn at work. ICK.

This wasn't dead skin, trust me.:uhoh21:

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The few nurses I have worked with here with nasal studs always look clean and neat. I thought some of the nipple rings needed to be less noticable under scrub tops. Belly studs should be covered too. No eyebrows please, but that is my own dislike. If there are "holes" anyplace else, I don't want to know, unless I have to cath you for some reason.

Tatoo's are big here too. I don't mind discreet ones, but the sleeves are too much for me. Again this is my own opinion. I know several men who are working on sleeves and administration looks the other way as long as any fresh tats are covered.

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Specializes in Med/Surge.
We have a couple of younger nurses who wear tiny studs in their noses. They are quite tasteful, and no one in management seems to have a problem with it. In fact, if I were young and cute, I'd probably get one myself.....personally, the only piercings I don't like are the eyebrow and lip ones. I also think tongue piercings are a bad idea, although they're certainly not as visible as facial piercings......I just think it's really gross.

Me too. I don't know why the lips and eyebrows gross me out but they do! What really gets me going are the ones who are trying to stretch the holes in their ears!!!!!!!!!! Can someone tell me what that's about? I expect in the future that their earlobes will be hanging to their shoulders from that? I have seen some so big that you could put 2-3 fingers through!!!

Tattoos don't bother me in the least until they are coming close to covering 99 percent of one's body-then that to me is a little too over the top-especially in a profesional field such as nursing. We had one girl in NS that had holes all over and I mean everywhere, and tattoos that were just freaky looking, and I tell you if she walked into my mom's room I would have to tell her I need someone else b/c my Mom would freak out. I think some of it may be a generational thing b/c everytime I get a new one she goes off!!!

If management has a prob w/it they will say something to her, I wouldn't bother voicing your opinion-she's probably heard enough of it from her family I would think.

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I consider it very unprofessional. The heart behind nursing is not to gain the attention of others, but rather give attention to those in need.

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Specializes in ER.
I consider it very unprofessional. The heart behind nursing is not to gain the attention of others, but rather give attention to those in need.

I agree completely. Just because something is not specifically covered in the dress code does not mean it is professional. While I do not want us to go back to the frumpy white uniform and "Clinic" shoes, I think we need to be mindful that certain things will make patients uncomfortable. I realize I am an old fart, but I would feel uncomfortable if my caregiver looked like a biker. I want someone who appears "neutral" and not someone who is trying to make a political or social statement. I don't want someone who make have received their tattoos or piercings under unclean conditions and place my health in danger. I don't want a caregiver who is trying to stretch the envelope by pushing the dress code to the limit.

But, that is my humble opinion. If I were writing the dresscode, there would be only 2 ear piercings, no large or dangling ear rings, and no noticable other body piercings, no tattoos showing.

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So, what about Indian Nurses? Some do wear nose piercings...little ones ....

I see nothing wrong with nose piercings as long as they are kept clean and are small studs. I might get one myself.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Me too. I don't know why the lips and eyebrows gross me out but they do! What really gets me going are the ones who are trying to stretch the holes in their ears!!!!!!!!!!

You wouldn't BELIEVE how many people we get coming in to correct the lobe-stretching in their ears. A few people have discovered that it's hard to get hired with that kind of body "decoration."

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Specializes in ER.
So, what about Indian Nurses? Some do wear nose piercings...little ones ....

I see nothing wrong with nose piercings as long as they are kept clean and are small studs. I might get one myself.

The Indian culture has accepted these piercings for many generations, and for them it is acceptable, just as it would be for a Moslem female nurse to wear head coverings. It has not been the "culture" of the US and serves strictly as facial adornment. That is fine in personel settings, but I find it unprofessional as stated earlier. There are many things that are accepted by cultures throughout the world that I would not embrace for myself. There are cultures who wear rings to make their necks look a foot long, those who wear giant hoops in their lips, huge holes in their ears, etc. but I would not find those professional in a US hospital. There are cultures who "circumcise" their female infants, tribes who live in trees and men who wear guards on their member, but it does not mean that I embrace those beliefs.

The original poster was asking about the professionalism of nose piercing in a US hospital. That is my opinion, and probably the opinion of hundreds of administrators and others in positions of authority in US hospitals.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

I work with a 20 year old nurse with a nose stud, and management hasn't said anything to her.

Personally, I find it unattractrive. But that's a personal opinion.

It's also a matter of personal opinion if it's unprofressional or not. You could have given an honest opinion, with the disclaimer that is what it is...a personal opinion.

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

This is an old and outdated thread...but I'm going to use it anyway. I'm seeing it's more accepted lately to have nose piercings, and older ladies are having it done. I'm only 25, but a mother of 3 and am thinking about getting a nose ring.

Does anyone work with a nurse/nurses who have a nose ring?

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

I'm gonna bump this for the morning crowd.

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A stud is one thing... but I'm not so sure a ring is such a great idea. I can guarantee you at some point a patient will grab it and pull.

*ouch*

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