Nurse jobs that allow modifications?

[hayleyyelyah]

I am going to be a nurse practitioner, but I plan on having visible tattoos and piercings. I know there are places you can work other than a hospital (which obviously have very strict dress codes). I was wondering if any nurse jobs allow visible tattoos/piercings? Please be polite in your response. I understand not everyone likes modifications, but please be respectful.

[SoldierNurse22, BSN, RN]

The military has been accepting of certain forms of modification in the past, but as the drawdown tightens, they're starting to change the regs and kick people out. Guess who'll be among the first to go? The military has been traditionally more accepting of body modification, specifically of tattoos, but that's about to change.

The military and civilian sides are the same in this respect; they have a glut of options when it comes to candidates and will eliminate potential applications based on the highest standards possible when they have the ability to weed out the average/less traditional options from the cream of the crop. This from someone who has tattoos--that aren't visible.

[Success4all]

Wow! As a 25 year old, I would not feel comfortable getting care from an NP with tats all over them. One Tattoo maybe fine but more? Am never coming back to your office! To me, multiple visible tattoos shows me your level of professionalism! I personally love tattoos but don't have one because I plan on becoming an NP myself and will not limit my abilities plus I have seen older patients with tats and it's definitely not sexy all wrinkled.

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

I find it so disheartening that although tattooing and piercings have been around since before cave art, we have been taught that those who indulge in body art are unprofessional because they invoke the image of indigenous peoples. So ridiculous.

[Tinkk]

I think it depends on where you work. I work in a nursing home, and I see quite a few nursing assistants with visible tattoos (not sure about the piercings - ears aren't an issue and I wouldn't think a nose stud would be a problem). I know nursing school and some facilities are very strict about that, so for me personally, if I were to get any tattoos, I would make sure they are hidden under my clothes. I would not want to risk not getting a job simply because of a measly tattoo.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

I find it so disheartening that although tattooing and piercings have been around since before cave art we have been taught that those who indulge in body art are unprofessional because they invoke the image of indigenous peoples. So ridiculous.[/quote']

I honestly don't feel that someone's body art has any bearing on their performance as a nurse. It does, to me, speak to their level of professionalism. If you are insistent on expressing yourself in such a way (that it is visible), I'm thinking that you may be better suited in a more artsy profession. Get a job in a record store (if they exist anywhere) or Hot Topic. I know many will disagree with me, but is just think it's a turn-off, especially when dealing with people who are very emotional and vulnerable. As cool and creative as some artwork is, it's not what most sick people want to see when they are faced with life-threatening situations. And I am much younger than the elderly patients that most of us care for, as well as married to someone with 8 tattoos. Even more benign things, such as non-traditional hair colors are frowned upon in many healthcare settings. As a professor, I've heard many of my colleagues and students refer to certain students as "the one with the HAIR", or the one with the tattoos (who needs to always wear a long-sleeved shirt under their clinical uniform).

Some of my best students have had beautiful tattoos. It doesn't make them bad students or nurses. But in our society, we do judge books by their cover. Not my idea, but we do.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

Also, I couldn't help but notice that you had also been looking for advice about being drug tested (in one of your previous posts). Again, you. At want to consider a less-professional profession that fits your interest and lifestyle.

[jaycam, RN]

I know several ER nurses who have visible tattoos, both male and female and it's not an issue here. I do however live in a very liberal city, it wouldn't fly in my hometown. I have a friend who is a Naturopathic Doctor here who is opening her own clinic so she can do what she wants with her dress code. Blue hair, sure, tattoos, why not. She plans on catering to groups of people who expressed that more traditional medical settings made them uncomfortable, such as the local pagan, poly, and goth communities. So while it may be harder to find work if you do get visible modifications, maybe you can look at forging your own path as well depending on how your state treats NPs.

[mostdesired3]

There's a nurse at my daughters pediatrician's office that has bright red hair and lots of tattoos. And my pediatrician is in a really high priced neighborhood...

[RInursingstudent]

I wouldn't care if my NP or PA has tattoos. As long as your care is up to par. What you decide to do to your body is your choice, and shouldn't depict how intelligent of a provider you are. Why are people so judgmental of tattoos? Worse things to worry about people!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

The question was not what we think about tattoos and piercing in our own caregivers, and the answers, largely, relate to what the OP might expect if/when s/he goes to NP school. I agree with everything you say so very eloquently, but that's not the point. Whether we like it or not, and whether we feel that way or not, many people with whom s/he will work and for whom s/he will care will dislike, be put off by, or be repulsed by visible modifications, especially facial ones. Full stop.

[THELIVINGWORST, ASN, RN]

My point is, the world will never change if we accept everything at face value. If we hold people accountable for their prejudices eventually they will change.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Certainly true, and thank goodness for it. We've been pleased to see a number of societal attitudes change in ways that would have been thought, well, unthinkable even ten or fifteen years ago.

That said, though, I think it unlikely that the OP will change the minds of the large populations of elders s/he will encounter while in school. "Holding them accountable for their prejudices" exactly .... how might that work? "I won't take care of you because you don't like my barbell"? I think that decision is likely to be made in the other direction. :)

Perhaps as today's adolescents and children grow up with less restrictive attitudes towards body mods the next generation of NP aspirants will have it easier. But for now, I still think s/he should consider deferring those plans until after s/he has the degree in hand. By then s/he may have more exposure to the NP world and can make a more informed choice about potential work venues, clienteles, and advocacy vis-a-vis the personal choices of body mods.