Shocked by facial piercings at work

Nurses Professionalism

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So occassionally I'll see a nurse or doc with a nose ring, or tongue ring. If it is not for cultural purposes, I personally find that it truly takes away from the professional look we are supposed to have while at work.

I'm a fan of nose rings, I think they are cute and I thought about getting one however I thought it wouldn't be a good look for work. I also would not was to bother taking it in and out.

Anyway, during my share time at a hospital yesterday I was shocked to see that a nurse midwife was allowed to wear a facial piercing at work. She had a piercing above her upper lip.

Is this becoming more common in your work places? How do you all feel about facial piercings in the health care setting?

I think you misunderstood me:D. I did not say people who have tattoos, piercings, and wear no makeup are not clean! They probably take a shower 5 times/day! I know piercings, tattoos etc are habits/ passions just like makeup. I said makeup is my other passion, and when I go to work I want to look professional, I make changes to my makeup looks- I don't wear purples, crazy colors! I tone it down by wearing neutrals! People should hide tattoos and remove piercings for 12 hrs, its not the end of the world. I don't think any patient would like to have a nurse with sleeves of tattoos, 10 facial piercings, heavy makeup, messy hair, stained scrubs. She might be the best nurse in the world but people are still judgmental, sad but true. I want my patients and coworkers to remember me by name, and not call me " the purple hair lady, the tattoo lady, makeup lady! I care a lot about the appearance in myself and others! By appearance I do not mean beauty :D

Yet you still group tattoos and facial piercings in with stained scrubs and messy hair, so I don't think I did at all. Myself, I don't care for facial piercings but it does not and should not detract from a person's professionalism. One could also argue that it doesn't hurt a patient to look at a tattoo or piercing for 12 hours as long as they are getting good care.

Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

I hate Monroes! They look like pimples that need to be popped.

I have no issues with piercings. I am a firm believer in being who you are. If the facility allows it, you are free to do as allowed. My place of employment does not allow it. But we are also forced to buy all new scrubs every few months when they change color policies, and we are required to have our hair in ponytails. Stepford if you ask me.

So they are called monroes. Yes, that exactly the piercing I saw. I think they resemble pimples too.

Yet you still group tattoos and facial piercings in with stained scrubs and messy hair, so I don't think I did at all. Myself, I don't care for facial piercings but it does not and should not detract from a person's professionalism. One could also argue that it doesn't hurt a patient to look at a tattoo or piercing for 12 hours as long as they are getting good care.

I agree, some nurses with full sleeve tattoos have made me feel very comfortable simply by the way they spoke to me and made me feel. Physical attributes have nothing to do with the amount of care given. Some people still feel the need to discriminate, whether it be skin color, piercings, or skin color (tattoos). As long as the nurse is clean and showered, they will appear professional. Professionalism is shown by words and actions, not the way someone looks. I think it is a great thing that many hospitals are now allowing nurses to display their tattoos and piercings, it lets them express their individuality while still being able to provide great care.

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

I do not have any piercings other than my ears. Or any tattoos. I am old :geek: but I don't see anything wrong with either. It is what our culture is now.

I just changed jobs from a small community setting with very a strict dress code and now i am in a large teaching hospital and just about anything goes. I have not seen anyone abuse it. It is nice to have the diversity and have others respect one another.

I think you misunderstood me:D. I did not say people who have tattoos, piercings, and wear no makeup are not clean! They probably take a shower 5 times/day! I know piercings, tattoos etc are habits/ passions just like makeup. I said makeup is my other passion, and when I go to work I want to look professional, I make changes to my makeup looks- I don't wear purples, crazy colors! I tone it down by wearing neutrals! People should hide tattoos and remove piercings for 12 hrs, its not the end of the world. I don't think any patient would like to have a nurse with sleeves of tattoos, 10 facial piercings, heavy makeup, messy hair, stained scrubs. She might be the best nurse in the world but people are still judgmental, sad but true. I want my patients and coworkers to remember me by name, and not call me " the purple hair lady, the tattoo lady, makeup lady! I care a lot about the appearance in myself and others! By appearance I do not mean beauty :D

You seem like you're in denial about what you really think, as per the bolded bits above. I don't think it's up to you to decide what patients want to see, and if you really think that piercings don't automatically make a person dirty, why are you lumping it in with, well, being dirty?

Though I don't have any facial piercings or tattoos myself, I absolutely support the rights of people to wear them visibly as nurses. If hospitals allow that, good for them! I think it's mainly a lot of the older generation that still thinks that you're somehow unprofessional if you have a facial piercing or tattoo showing, and it's just not true. I'm hoping to eventually move to Northern California and be a nurse out there, and I'd hope that people there would be a bit less likely to get their panties twisted over such trivial things.

Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

Our medical assistant at my clinic has purple hair, piercings, and is covered in ink. I wouldn't trade her for anything and anyone who has an issue with her appearance is summarily dealt with. I've been cared for by nurses who were almost pierced shut, had full sleeves, and all manner of hair color. Couldn't care less as long as they're good at what they do.

I agree, its a lack of professionalism.but i have very conservative values.

My vote is unprofessional . I haven't seen any since '90's except on some Indian girls.

I'm in NJ, a very liberal state.

It wouldn't effect my work habits around some one who has it, that would be childish.

As a patient, I wouldn't request another nurse.

Ask your direct boss. That's all the approval you need.

I was just at a deli and the guy serving had a medical mask, with many holes, coughed and sneezed onto his sleeve , then used same sleeve to tape the bag label. That was disturbing and I left without the order.

Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.

I often find myself staring at upper lip, chin, and nose piercings because they look like zits at first glance.

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

I dont care what people do to their body, but im kinda tired of the old refrain of "i wanna show my individuality, so im going to get the same piercing and tattoo as those other 5000000 people! Stop stifling my individuality!!!"

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