Nurses with Tattoos and Piercings

[CMALynzer]

Ok people, I have a quick thought. I am fortunate enough to work for a clinic that is very open and accepting of all types of people. I myself have my nose pierced as does 2 other nurses here and there are a few with visible tattoos. When I asked my supervisor if I had to take out my nose stud when I started she said, "No, we do not discriminate against our workers who have tattoos and piercings." It's very nice to not have to change who I am just because it's "taboo".

I wonder why so many workplaces require piercings to be removed and tattoos to be covered, even if they are modest. Do you think there will ever be a time when all places will accept these things?

[mentalhealthRN]

we are getting there slowly.......I think it depends on a lot. The part of the country. The setting. etc. Me personally--I have tatoos and really the only one that is visible at work might be the one on my wrist. No one has had an issue with it yet. I think unless it's really over the top then what's the big deal?? Lord knows we have much bigger problems. Shoot one nursing home I worked in made me write up staff for hoop earrings and nose piercings. I was like--really? Let work on getting them to actually WORK first!!! lol If they do their jobs and take good care of the residents then I could care less about whats in their ears or nose!!! lol

[INLPN93]

Til that psych/behavior pt rips that dangling earring right out!

Seen it happen, I don't care what people wear in their noses or ears but in some settings it just isn't a good idea.

Only a new tatoo would pose the risk for contracting an infection, otherwise who cares? As long as its in good tatse- no vulgar language or nudie pics. Again, its a setting issue for me. Not a way to discriminate.

[JDZ344]

We're allowed piercings. I have lots. We're just allowed to have earrings etc that could be ripped out.

Tattoos has never come up in our workplace. Hardly anyone has them. I'm considering getting a visible tattoo, and need to consider that if I change jobs, the person who interviews me might have pre-existing judgements about tattoos that would prevent me from being hired. I don't think my current employer would care, but I have to consider the future.

[systoly]

Eventually, but not in our life time. Some people will judge you based on cliches. I'm on the opposite side of it. I have a crew cut, often use a little starch and have large tattoos on my shoulders and upper body. I wish I had a dollar for every time I got, " Look at those tattoos, I didn't think you were the type".

[freemirini]

I think workplaces are more tolerant and are getting more tolerant. I think piercings can pose a risk as other folks have suggested. Myself --I don't wear any jewelry to work ---nothing to get grabbed or caught (e.g., dangling earring)....nothing to remove when washing hands...

I don't mind others' decorative body art. I think tattoos are okay if visible in the workplace, but not if they might be offensive to the general pt population. (...that's hard to define...so maybe that's why many facilities just say a blanket "no.") I think piercings are fine --but don't think some of the jewelry should be worn on the job in healthcare if it may pose a risk to the wearer.

[Newby'sWife07]

I don't have an issue with tattoos, but never get a new tattoo and work within the next few days. The skin will flake off and bleed for a few days (mine did for a whole week). Plus, you have to stop what you are doing every hour or so to wash the area. Not alot of employers would be understanding of that dilemma. It's best to wait for an off week. I got mine on my shoulder so that it can be hidden when it needs to be, and shown when I want it to, but I have still had rude comments.

[mskate]

I'm very, very heavily tattooed. Full sleeves, chest piece, knuckle tattoos... Unless I work a long sleeved, turtle neck with gloves, my tattoos are visible. I have had mixed reactions from various hospitals. Generally, I wear a hoodie or a long sleeved tshirt to try to limit the run-ins. My knuckles are always visible. I can't properly wash my hands with band-aids on them, so people have to deal with it. haha

Honestly, most hospitals have been totally fine with it, a few have had issues, 1 hospital didn't have a tattoo policy in place UNTIL they met me and then created one.... hahaha

As long as you are understanding and have enough options that allow you to vet the hospital and their attitudes towards tattoos and piercings, you should be fine. :)

[klone, MSN, RN]

My hospital allows a small nose stud, as well as three piercings in each ear. I would say 1/3 of our nurses and a few of our docs have their noses pierced.

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

I think, in 10-20 years, no one will be care about your tats and piercings, and people will be posting here about the unfairness of whatever fad is currently being persecuted.

[RescueNinja]

I have 2 tattoos...one (on my foot) is completely hidden obviously and the other (under my ear) is hidden as long as I keep my hair down. I generally do keep it down, but there have been times that I've been in too much of a rush to fix my hair so up it goes.

I had my nose pierced and I was forced to take it out for clinical in school

[lillymom]

When I was in school my instructor had anyone that had face piercings or tats cover them up and we could only wear wedding bands/engagement rings and post earings. Her reasoning for each were because the places where we did our clinicals would send us back if we had them showing, rings are germ magnets, and kids love dangling objects. As a side note we went on a school trip to a student nursing convention and half of us, including the instructor and myself, got tats in places that can be covered.