I'm an RN with a well controlled metal illness. Have worked in ICU/ED before taking 6months off to look after my mental heath when my Dad died. I've returned to an outpatient unit with nicer shifts, less stress etc to keep my mental health stable. In my new unit the staff don't know me or my history, I haven't had time to prove myself yet.
I have some fairly visible OLD self harm scars, and short of covering them with tattoos there's not much I can do about them but regret younger me's choices. I've never had an issue with staff or patients commenting but suddenly I am.
What's your opinion on an RN with selfharm scars? I'm not ashamed of my past if anything I appreciate the insight it gives me on the struggles my patients deal with. Do I cover them? Do I open up to the staff who ask questions? Do I just refuse to answer my colleague's questions?
I have several old self-harm scars and prefer to wear long sleeves when possible. If people notice, they generally don't pry. My absolute favorite reaction was a kid who warned me about a caterpillar crawling up my arm. Turns out it was my biggest scar--with the old stitch marks it looks at first glance like a many-legged insect.
It's all up to you what you want to discuss with your colleagues. I personally take the view that nurses are human, and none of us will be perfect specimens of physical/mental health (or if we are, we won't be staying that way forever). It helps us empathize with our patients.
ShadowNurse
102 Posts
I have several old self-harm scars and prefer to wear long sleeves when possible. If people notice, they generally don't pry. My absolute favorite reaction was a kid who warned me about a caterpillar crawling up my arm. Turns out it was my biggest scar--with the old stitch marks it looks at first glance like a many-legged insect.
It's all up to you what you want to discuss with your colleagues. I personally take the view that nurses are human, and none of us will be perfect specimens of physical/mental health (or if we are, we won't be staying that way forever). It helps us empathize with our patients.