Nurses with tattoos?

Nurses General Nursing

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Does your facility have a policy on tattoos? Where I work the policy states that you can't have any tattoos visible that are "offensive". That's kind of vague wording to me lol. I have a small set of cherries on the back of my neck and no one has said anything so I guess that's not offensive. ;)

I also got a new tattoo this weekend. Here's a pic. I just had it done yesterday (it's my graduation/new job present to myself :redbeathe ). I had about 3 hours worth of work done and still have about 1-2 hours left. It's on my right calf which isn't visible at all at work which is good because I could see how someone might be offended by it even though I think it's beautiful :redpinkhe

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It's a beautiful tattoo and very nicely done. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I have a problem with nurses being presented as sex kittens, so I'd not get one like it for myself but it is beautiful tattoo, in itself.

I have 3 tattoos, none of which are visible (except one tends to peek out of the edge of socks as it is around my inner left ankle). My hospital does have a policy but it is not strictly enforced. I'm a nurse manager and one of my staff nurses has a bouquet of roses on her forearm. Technically, I should make her cover it up but I don't.

Oh I totally respect your opinion. It's just not an opinion I've come across where I am, kwim. Plus, I don't mind being looked at as sexy. grrrr. LOL ;)

first of all BEAUTIFUL tattoo! cant wait to see pics!! what else are you adding??

they are not strict at my workplace. kinda throws me, a strict cath hospital and dont matter. i am awaiting my board results today!!! and i am going to be getting my nursing tattoo on wed if all goes well. i will have to post a pic when i get it!

cadeus with RN in it and really colorful!

i cannot wait!!

-H-

Definitely post a pic when you gets your done! I was thinking of doing the Cadeus but I'm a huge Bettie Page fan and this one just fits me so well!

She is going to add white and shading to the clothes, white nylons with garters on the legs, and some little details. :D

Specializes in Cardiac, Adolescent/Child Mental Health.

Very nice work!! I have a few tattoos, but none nursing related. I love pin-ups, but if I were going to get one nursing related it would be a Sailor Jerry-style "Rose of No-Man's Land".:smokin:

I'm sure my facility's policy on tattoos is in the handbook somewhere, but I see a lot of staff with tattoos exposed. I choose to keep mine covered though, because I don't necessarily like having to answer the question, "What does that mean?"

Your tattoo is great!!!!! I've been saying for years that I want to get a tat. Guess I'm just a big chicken. Maybe someday. . . .

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, Emergency, SAFE.

I can not being to tell you how GORGEOUS that is. Ive always wanted to get a pin-up and yours is awesome.

Arent tattoos addicting? :D lol

They ARE addicting! This was number 7 for me! LOL I have plans for a few more big ones too!

i think it's absolutley stunning! but then, i'm a huge page fan myself so....let's give it up for the tennessee girl! unfortunately, not everyone 'approves' of some of the things she came to represent. as long as it's not visible then what's the big deal?

Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.

Your tattoo is well done, but I think it makes nurses look like sex objects. It's a good thing it will be hidden, IMO.

I have one, too but it's small. It's also hidden by my pants (it's on my leg). But if you like it, that's all that matters

Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

I love it- and honestly I love the whole sex kitten nurse thing as well. Growing up I always viewed most nurses as older, overweight, and crabby. I love that I can be young and sexy, and STILL be trusted to care for the many lives that are put in my hands.

Women can be both intelligent AND sexy...and I think we should embrace that!

I LOVE IT!! Is it inspired by Olivia DeBerardinis' Bettie Page drawings?

Specializes in Future Peds Nurse.
Women can be both intelligent AND sexy...and I think we should embrace that!

Well said. I definitely think being intelligent is starting to be looked at as sexy. Smart men are realize that external beauty only last as long as their breasts are perky; however, brains will actually last throughout the relationship.

Anyways, back to the OP. I have one tattoo on my hip and one on my lower back. The one on my lower back is of a breast cancer ribbon and I am going to add onto it with some ink from the Ford Cares breast cancer awareness images. Anyways, the lower back one sometimes, but rarely peaks out from under my scrub top if I am doing some funky bending, but no one cares. :yeah:

Specializes in OR, ICU, Med-Surg.

I have tattoos from the Navy prior to nursing (12 to be exact, and large). Does your hospital have a bad hair or mustache on women policy? I find those offensive! :) Little Devil's advocate for you. My tattoos are excellent ice-breakers and my biggest fans are little old ladies. Being a young guy helps too in that dept. I'm sure.. ;)

I wear long sleave layering shirts under my scrubs though as I am socially competent enough to realize that they COULD offend someone. In another 20 years when my generation, with all our tattoos, writes the hospital policy and changes things to suit our needs mine will be giant masses of indistinguishable ink anyway...:(

"What is that grandpa?"

"Well it used to be a sexy naked lady."

"Well it looks like Jaba the Hut now."

Seriously though. These kinds of 'appearance' policies are generationally implemented. When our generation (I am 29 end of August) get into those policy-making positions we will view tattoos with much more familiar and tolerant eyes. So far each generation of the last 100 years has become more tolerant than the last of others personal choices and lifestyles.

I am not saying hope for speedy deaths of the intolerant elderly, but lets face it...our children's generation will have things that shock us like our tattoos shock our current silver-hairs.

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