Nurses with tattoos, is it acceptable?

[sweetlyn_violet]

I will be starting my BSN class this second week of November. So technically, I am not yet a nurse but soon will be. I have been long delaying my plan of getting a tattoo on my right shoulder blade. It has always been my dream to have this one tattoo but I am now apprehensive because of the different feedback that I am getting. Have you heard of any employment trouble if the nurse that is applying has a tattoo or piercing?

I do want to get my tattoo soon but I am not getting the right answers. If this, one way or the other would affect possible employment in the future, especially that I am planning to work overseas. Any enlightenment will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[smellyacres, BSN, RN]

as long as they can't see it under normal clothing it shouldn't be a problem.

[Key_]

If it is on your shoulder than I would think that no one could see it under scrubs. It would be just like any other job, cover it for work and your interview. I have one and it is always covered and I haven't had any problems

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Do you plan on exposing your shoulder blade at work?

[stripec30]

I'd say around 25% of the nurses under about 33 that I've worked with have visible tattoos.

[Up2nogood RN, RN]

As long as it's covered it would be acceptable. I have a 3/4 sleeve and it doesn't have any bearing on my job.

[sasha1224]

Most places I have worked don't care of they show unless they are considered offensive. If it is covered, no problem. My current employer is the only one that enforces the covering it up rule. Our new tech, who has forearm tattoos, just wears sleeves over them and no problem.

[tewdles, RN]

I did work with a manager who was VERY biased against nurses who had color or jewelry...so keep your art covered.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Cover up.

[ybq2008]

I'm in nursing school and we practice skills on classmates. I've seen several tattoos. You should be okay, as long as they're covered of course :)

[Lacie, BSN, RN]

As long as they are not visible particularly in clinicals you should be fine. I have a full back piece and no one would know it unless I tell them or they see me on off hours. I also have some on my leg/ankle. I have only had one instance in which an employer even made comment when she told me "It's in the bible that's a sin to mark your body and your going to hell" LMAO!!!! Needless to say I eventually left the job but it wasnt because of my ink :)

[MassED, BSN, RN]

why would any professional in a working environment ever see a tattoo on your shoulder blade? I can't see how it's anyone's business - if you could see that, then you would be wearing inappropriate work attire

.... unless it's on your neck. There's a security guard who has one on his neck, where I work, and he wears collared shirts, but I can still see it. Maybe because he's a security guy it's excused....