Nurses with ear piercings

Nurses Professionalism

Published

Hello,

I want to be a nurse when I finish college. I'm currently a senior in high school. I have 5 more years until I graduate college/ become a nurse. I already have 4 piercings on my ears. I want 3 more (second lobes and 1 more cartilage (helix)). Is it frown upon that I will have 7 piercings or should I stop? I also want a tattoo on my finger (not sure about it, but the size will be smaller than a quarter). But is it acceptable tho?

thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MDS/ UR.

No problem at all!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ambulatory Care-Family Medicine.

You may have to remove the earrings and keep the tat covered during clinicals and at some jobs. My workplace allows tattoos at "managers discretion". My manager doesn't care as long as it's not excessive and nothing offensive or racist. Our earring policy is only two studs per ear but again my manger won't say anything as long as it's not too excessive. Clinical was all tattoos covered and only one stud earring per ear.

Note: it probably depends on the area you live in also. I'm in Texas so we might be more conservative than some of the more liberal states.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It probably depends on where you are. At my school you must cover all tattoos and remove visible piercings for clinicals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I live in NJ. But going to college in PA. I will either work in NJ or PA or DE or NY. Does that affect my concern?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nursing school (in NJ) had a policy that only 1 pair of stud earrings was allowed and all tattoos had to be covered. The hospital we did our clinicals at has a policy that all tattoos must be covered. Covering a tattoo on your finger can be difficult... can't really put a bandaid there since you constantly need to wash your hands. I have a friend with a tat on the inside of her finger and it hasn't stopped her from getting a job in the area. I don't think hospitals care so much about multiple ear piercings, maybe more so with the hole stretching. In any case, having lots of piercings and visible tattoos certainly won't help you get a job. And job seeking is rough in the NJ/PA region.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Nursing school (in NJ) had a policy that only 1 pair of stud earrings was allowed and all tattoos had to be covered. The hospital we did our clinicals at has a policy that all tattoos must be covered. Covering a tattoo on your finger can be difficult... can't really put a bandaid there since you constantly need to wash your hands. I have a friend with a tat on the inside of her finger and it hasn't stopped her from getting a job in the area. I don't think hospitals care so much about multiple ear piercings, maybe more so with the hole stretching. In any case, having lots of piercings and visible tattoos certainly won't help you get a job. And job seeking is rough in the NJ/PA region.

Definitely no hole stretching just regular normal earrings. so tattoo is a bad idea?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I would wait until you graduate to get a tattoo. I have co workers that have visible tattoos and most places they are fine. Regular normal earrings are fine just don't wear big hoops or anything dangling.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a curved barbell in my daith when I went on an interview. While talking with the nurse manager, she looked at me and said "That thing in your ear comes out, right?" So I took it out for my second interview and was offered the job. I'm willing to sacrifice a piercing for my career. They have yet to see the small tattoo on the back of my neck though. All of my other tattoos can be hidden with scrubs/shoes/and a watch. (I have 9 in total). And now I have 3 piercings in each ear (2 in each lobe, 1 per cartilage).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I had a curved barbell in my daith when I went on an interview. While talking with the nurse manager, she looked at me and said "That thing in your ear comes out, right?" So I took it out for my second interview and was offered the job. I'm willing to sacrifice a piercing for my career. They have yet to see the small tattoo on the back of my neck though. All of my other tattoos can be hidden with scrubs/shoes/and a watch. (I have 9 in total). And now I have 3 piercings in each ear (2 in each lobe, 1 per cartilage).

i have five more years to go. i think i can take mine out if i have an interview. thank you for your response. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Two lobe and a single helix in each ear here, with the first hole stretched to 6g. I wear plugs that look like studs in the stretched holes for clinical.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Depends on your school and where you do your clinicals. I have one kid in a nursing program and I told her to hold off on all the above mentioned. She puts a

clear plug in her nose. I have another in ROTC so she can have nothing, not even clear plugs, so she let her nose and cartilage close.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment