Nurses with self-harm scars?

[art24]

I am a student nurse currently in my first semester.

When I was 14, I chose very poor coping mechanisms to deal with overwhelming emotions from a childhood trauma. I am now 24, and although those issues are very much in my past, I still have very obvious (very obviously old) self-harm scars on my arms.

I am concerned about what my instructors and other nurses might think of my ability to be a nurse if they see the scars. Even more so, I am afraid that the scars might frighten or raise questions from my patients. We have been allowed to wear long sleeves in clinical, and so far I have been able to hide my scars. I know that will not always be possible because long-sleeves could pose and infection risk.

Any advice on attitudes toward the scars that I might encounter? I know that there is little understanding for self-harm among people in the medical profession. Do I continue hiding the scars or should I let them show so people know that it is no longer an issue?

Are there any other student nurses or nurses that have dealt with this or have seen nurses in the workplace with self-harm scars? Is there a lot of discrimination towards them?

Thank for any advice!

[aura_of_laura]

Cutting and self-injurious behavior are so prevalent, I think that this is an issue many professionals are facing. For job interviews, cover them. For work, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm usually surprised to find out that someone (particularly under the age of 25) has NOT self-injured at some point or another.

Depending on what area you work in, they may be a valuable asset - I work in peds psych, and have found few things make self-injuring kids feel like they can trust you as much as knowing you went through the same thing and conquered it!

[Jules A, MSN]

Like others have said, kudos for working past this but I would do what I could to keep the past in the past. FWIW I'm always cold and wear long sleeve tee's under my scrub tops all year round so no one ever sees my wrists or arms. The sad fact is that people will speculate and judge so for me this would be something I'd try to keep private.

[sage.90]

Hi, I just wanted to comment that I also suffer with the same ailment. I am a proud, and determined nursing student in one of the best nursing schools in my area. I was 15 when I inflicted my self-mutilation. . . It is extremely difficult for me to work and learn with my evident scarring. I have been a CNA for almost 8 years, (in-home health care and acute care.) I have worked in a hospital for 3 of those years. And, surprisingly, only one client/patient in the last 8 years has mentioned my scars.

I just want you to know that you are not alone, and that you should stay strong. Don't give up, and don't let your perception of what others think of you get in the way of your calling. If you are in nursing school, you chose it, you worked hard for it, and caring for others is part of who you are. I know how hard it can be to see self inflicted scarring on your arms every day, I know how hard it is to look past the way you think others judge you. Stay strong, and know that you are here to heal and be healed.

[sage.90]

Hi, I just wanted to comment that I also suffer with the same ailment. I am a proud and determined nursing student in one of the best nursing schools in my area. I was 15 when I inflicted my self-mutilation. . . It is extremely difficult for me to work and learn with my evident scarring. During clinical training I wear my scrub overcoat that we are able to wear with our school logo, because I am afraid of my clinical instructors judgement as well as my patients judgement. I have been a CNA for almost 8 years, (in-home health care and acute care.) I have worked in a hospital for 3 of those years. And, surprisingly, only one client/patient in the last 8 years has mentioned my scars.

I just want you to know that you are not alone, and that you should stay strong. Don't give up, and don't let your perception of what others think of you get in the way of your calling. If you are in nursing school, you chose it, you worked hard for it, and caring for others is part of who you are. I know how hard it can be to see self inflicted scarring on your arms every day, I know how hard it is to look past the way you think others judge you. Stay strong, and know that you are here to heal and be healed.

[kataraang, BSN]

I have personal experience and can relate completely. I guess maybe try to ignore them yourself. I find that if I spend too much time looking at them myself (trying to assess how visible they are), then it draws someone's attention to it too. They see me looking, so then they look. If I carry on, working efficiently, and actively engaging them, I've never been asked.

Great job on overcoming it. It's very difficult to do.