Nurses with nose piercings?

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Hi I am not a nurse yet, but are there any nurses out there with nose piercings? Do they make you take it out at work?

I don't think a nose piercing is trashy, and I think its ignorant to judge someone based on their appearance. If they made it through nursing school, that's all that matters....not a silly nose stud.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
If they made it through nursing school, that's all that matters....

I disagree. Nursing school doesn't teach one how to be a mature professional.

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I have worked in two hospitals with a nose piercing without any complaints from patients or management... was asked once to take it out in nursing school but no issues other than that. The facilities I worked at had policies on piercings and tattoos but weren't really enforced. As long as it's not distracting to patient care or an injury risk to the RN I don't see a problem with it.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.
I have worked in two hospitals with a nose piercing without any complaints from patients or management... was asked once to take it out in nursing school but no issues other than that. The facilities I worked at had policies on piercings and tattoos but weren't really enforced. As long as it's not distracting to patient care or an injury risk to the RN I don't see a problem with it.

A lot of the older generation (and younger, too, I'm sure) may find it offensive and/or distracting. Why wear something questionable that may cause your patients to doubt your credibility or professionalism?

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When I worked and was a manager at a retail store geared towards children everyone was required to cover any tattoos and removed their piercings, because parents don't want to bring their children into a store that there might be something offensive or scary. I had quite a few employees try to go un-noticed. That didn't work for me. I had a write up a few.

When I worked in a hospital in the early 90's doing patient transport (fancy for transportation) there was a big guy who had tattoos. He was required to wear long sleeve. There are many older patients who can be offended. Raised in a time when only people of a certain character would get inked. (My dad, for instance, in the mid 80's thought only street walkers got their ears pierced)

My belief is that when I am at work, I am at work and dress accordingly. Catering to the lowest common denominator. In the case of piercings and tattoos, not having any visible is that lowest common denominator that will make everyone comfortable.

Thus, I take my piercing out and wear long pants to work.

We did have a few ladies for religious reasons continue to wear their head dress. No-one that I am aware of was Hindu for the nose stud.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Medical Research, Periop.
Nope...

All that "diversity" makes for some warm and fuzzy reading but it's not practical.

You can practice your culture at home.

OUCH! Practice your culture at home? If a jewish man wears his cap to work (which I have seen, can't think of the name Kippa, or Yamikah) that would be wrong also? We practice our culture in different ways, some people may wear dreads because they're Jamaican, is it proper to say someone else's culture is unprofessional or wrong? Who makes these rules? Do we all have to follow the rule makers culture, because obviously their culture is the only "right, proper, and professional one.":uhoh3:

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Quick story that could have ended differently.

I was at the hair dresser the other day. I typically remove ALL jewelry (ear rings and nose stud) before going. This time I still had my nose stud. As she was fluffing my hair around the side of my face she somehow grabbed my lip and nose. It was rather quick and I didn't realize till I got home that my stud was gone. I wasn't hurt and no one was under me that it could have landed on/in. But I could have gotten hurt.. and someone (possibly a patient) could have inhaled it or had it land in their eye. To me it isn't worth that risk. I like my nose and hate having to pay for more studs. Not to mention others in vulnerable positions getting hurt by my jewelry.

Yes the likely hood is small but still there.

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Specializes in Home Care.
i work at a hospital and i have a nose stud. no one has issues with it. my floor is pretty liberal--there are numerous people with nose studs, visible tattoos and red hair.

what about the "red hair"? :yeah: are you talking gingers or those that dye their hair a shocking red?

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

I don't think there's anything wrong with a small discreet stud nose piercing, although it makes me itchy just looking at one. I always wonder what happens if you get a real juicy cold and are blowing your nose all the time, does crud get hung up on the inside portion? I don't think eyebrow, lip or tongue piercings are very professional, though. And forget the stretched out earlobes!

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I don't think there's anything wrong with a small stud nose piercing, although it makes me itchy just looking at one. I always wonder what happens if you get a real juicy cold and are blowing your nose all the time, does crud get hung up on the inside portion? I don't think eyebrow, lip or tongue piercings are very professional, though.

LOL :lol2: I used to worry about that too. It doesn't. Although, when I am sick I take it out while I blow. Not for just a typical morning blow.

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Specializes in Home Care.

I could work for months with you and you'd think I was a great nurse and co-worker. Then one day I'd take off my watch and you'd see my tattoo. Would you fire me?

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Cardiac.

... there are places that might tolerate it but not in my ER.th_notworki.gif?t=1306634831

Good luck with your choices in life.

Wow. Hope I don't land in "your" ER.

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