Nurses with dreadlocks

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2012

I cut mine off when I started nursing school, and while part of me would like to have them again, I'm now in research and am in academic circles and will probably get into management, so it's just not going to happen if I want to be upwardly mobile.

theantichick · Mar 3, 2012

I guess I'm weird. I have never understood why locks are an issue.

I have a friend in nursing school (we graduate in December) who had locks for our first semester. Saw her the other day and she's cut them off, but it was her decision, no one at the schools or hospitals to my knowledge required it. When she had them, she secured them out of her face which is the main requirement at my school.

Hope you don't have issues with it.

DarkLotus · Mar 3, 2012

I cut mine off when I started nursing school, and while part of me would like to have them again, I'm now in research and am in academic circles and will probably get into management, so it's just not going to happen if I want to be upwardly mobile.

Thank you for your first hand experience:) I hope to go into either labor and delivery and become a midwife or work in an emergency department. I usually cut my locks off every two to four years so I might find myself cutting them off right after I graduate and start the job hunt!

rn/writer, RN · Mar 4, 2012

There are dreads and there are dreads.

I've seen some people--male and female--with really nice-looking dreads. Some are shorter and shouln't cause any problems. Others are longer but could easily be pulled back and secured out of the way. As long as they're kept clean, they're probably less hazardous than sloppy pony tails or loose short hair.

Then there are dreads that make me think of homeless people who don't have regular access to hygiene facilities. Can you say career faux pas?

While I doubt that you'll see dreads make their way into the military any time soon, the business world has loosened up quite a bit over the last couple of decades. Especially for women. If the overall look is one of good grooming and good taste, you might not have a problem.

That said, nursing school can be a whole 'nother animal.

jackierife · Mar 4, 2012

I think its more sanitary & professional if your hair is long to have it out of your face.. Thats just my opinion a lot of women look good with their hair down but I'm not to sure about having body fluids,vomit,etc all in it... lol

DarkLotus · Mar 4, 2012

There are dreads and there are dreads.
I've seen some people--male and female--with really nice-looking dreads. Some are shorter and shouln't cause any problems. Others are longer but could easily be pulled back and secured out of the way. As long as they're kept clean, they're probably less hazardous than sloppy pony tails or short loose hair.
Then there are dreads that make me think of homeless people who don't have regular access to hygeine facilities. Can you say career faux pas?
While I doubt that you'll see dreads make their way into the military any time soon, the business world has loosened up quite a bit over the last couple of decades. Especially for women. If the overall look is one of good grooming and good taste, you might not have a problem.
That said, nursing school can be a whole 'nother animal.

I have always had the 'second kind' of dreads obtained by neglect and washing with soap every other day. This time around I will be back combing and hopfully look a little nicer. I plan to wear scarfs most of the time or whatever type of hair covering is allowed by my school or elsewhere. I appreciate your feedback:)

What type of headcoverings are allowed? I'm assuming nothing fancey just a cap that matches scrubs...

theantichick · Mar 4, 2012

What type of headcoverings are allowed? I'm assuming nothing fancey just a cap that matches scrubs...

Every facility will have a different dress code when you get a job there. And every nursing school is a bit different, but mine says:

Hair should be clean and neatly controlled with long hair pulled back, off the collar, and worn away from the face to avoid contamination. Hair clips may be worn only to keep the hair in place.
Head scarves may be worn if they are: (1) worn as an expression of the student’s faith or (2) to cover a skin/hair medical condition. Head scarves are to be white or teal in color; free of pattern or print; free of fringes or other appendages that could be hazardous, worn in a manner that presents no risk of the garment swinging (example: long hair) in a hazardous way.

netglow, ASN, RN · Mar 4, 2012

There are dreads and there are dreads.

LOL. I'm feeling silly.

Altra, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2012

There are male and female physicians and nurses (and radiology techs, phlebotomists, physical therapists ...) with dreads where I work. This varies greatly from region to region. You might try posting this in your specific state forum.

MunoRN, RN · Mar 4, 2012

There are many people where I work, including physicians, who have dreads. But not all dreads are the same, dreads are allowed where I work as long as a basic hygiene regimen is still adhered to. Some people's hair can be dreaded and still allow for the use soap or shampoo. Then there are those who's hair won't dread unless they never use soap or shampoo, never. I once listened as 2 friends argued over which was better for suffocating the bugs that inevitably take hold in never-washed hair; crisco or peanut butter. I think if your hair hygiene includes a monthly bug suffocation routine, it may not be appropriate for direct patient care.

PeepnBiscuitsRN · Mar 4, 2012

I don't know why it would be an issue unless they were natty and out of control. Myself- I used to dye my hair many, many crayola colors. I miss doing that- the last time I had screaming blood red hair I was in LPN school, and I made myself color it "normal" because I didn't want anyone TELLING me to do it (the rebel I was...heh).

Every now and then I consider just bleaching one wee little chunk, in the back, under all my hair, and dying it teal or green or pink or something.