African American Hair Problems in Nursing

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 19, 2015

Hmm...

As someone who has been on interviews with a myriad of hairstyles, but is all too aware of the employer's market, I would say to get the braids once you get the position..hope you get the position!

SaltyLPN · Jan 19, 2015

I had twists put in my hair 5 days before I took my Nclex in October. Then I found out I passed and then thought of the same question you asked. I kept them in for 7 weeks while waiting for my actual license. BF was mad cuz he paid for them but I thought to myself my first impression for my first ever nursing job interview has to be damn near perfect. Plus 7 weeks is a long enough time anyway. My opinion, hold off until after you get the job. You never know, the person interviewing might have an issue with it. Here I am still waiting for an interview.ðŸ˜

Gooselady, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2015

Box braids are beautiful, very elegant. They don't look 'alternative', really. I suppose it matters where you live though In Seattle I had a nose fob and a two tone rather butchy (in retrospect) hair cut and no one even blinked, but when I moved to San Diego, I had to take out my nose fob and an African American fellow nurse (male) got a low-key pattern shaved into his hair and was ordered to get it 'fixed' for professional purposes.

gcupid · Jan 19, 2015

Relax the hair and get the braids after landing the job and finishing orientation.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2015

I agree with the respondents who have advised the OP to relax the hair for the interview, then get the hair braided after a position is secured.

It's unfortunate that many people in the professional world still hold bias against styles such as braids, twists, dreads, naturals and afros in 2015, but it is true.

Red Kryptonite · Jan 19, 2015

It's unfortunate that many people in the professional world still hold bias against styles such as braids, twists, dreads, naturals and afros in 2015, but it is true.

It's mother-flippin ridiculous is what it is, and we should be ashamed of ourselves that overt racism like this still prevents people from getting jobs.

desertstar6 · Jan 19, 2015

The job I want is in the OR so my head would be covered most the time . I'll just keep my hair relax till I get the job -sign-

desertstar6 · Jan 19, 2015

I had twists put in my hair 5 days before I took my Nclex in October. Then I found out I passed and then thought of the same question you asked. I kept them in for 7 weeks while waiting for my actual license. BF was mad cuz he paid for them but I thought to myself my first impression for my first ever nursing job interview has to be damn near perfect. Plus 7 weeks is a long enough time anyway. My opinion, hold off until after you get the job. You never know, the person interviewing might have an issue with it. Here I am still waiting for an interview.ðŸ˜

That sucks that you have to wait for an interview. My advice is to just apply everywhere. Google hospitals in your city and just apply

Not_A_Hat_Person, RN · Jan 19, 2015

I have natural hair. I put it into a low, tight bun for job interviews.

dudette10, MSN, RN · Jan 19, 2015

I'll let the AA members make recs, but a lot of the female docs where I work have box braids up in a ponytail, and I think it looks professional.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2015

It's mother-flippin ridiculous is what it is, and we should be ashamed of ourselves that overt racism like this still prevents people from getting jobs.

Sometimes it is overt racism and sometimes it is subconscious social conditioning on the part of the individuals who dislike natural hairstyles.

I am a black female and I do not have enough fingers to count the times I've heard other black people make negative remarks about natural AA hairstyles. Hair is one of those touchy topics in the AA community.