So 4 weeks ago I started my first semester of nursing school. I got accepted into the program in November and had orientation on December 16. The head of the nursing department was the one holding the orientation. Now, I have tattoos on my left wrist- 2 small black Kanji tattoos that are close to my hand on my inner wrist and the second is a floral band that wraps all around my wrist above the Kanji tattoos. I was very nervous to show her them, because I knew they have a strict no visible tattoo policy. I showed her my tattoos and she said to cover the floral one with a watch that has a wide, stretchy band and cover the other ones with Dermablend for clinicals. She made me feel better about the tattoos so I registered for classes and paid my tuition. I bought my books, supplies, and uniform. I bought Dermablend to cover my tattoos. Spent about $3,000 for the semester all in all, not to mention all the money I spent on pre-req's. All I had to do was wait for classes to start.
Fast forward to Week 3 of NS and we have our first skills test, and there is a major problem with covering my tattoos. The Dermablend did NOT work. Neither did any of the other products I bought to cover my tattoos. My instructors wouldn't even let me test for hand washing. After my second attempt at trying to cover the tattoos and take the test, my instructor took me to the head of the nursing department. She didn't remember me at first, but then she remembered seeing my tattoos at orientation. She insisted that Dermabland has worked for other students in the past, so it should work for me. I told her I have tried everything I could to cover them and nothing worked. She wouldn't let me use a band-aid for the smaller tattoos, wear long sleeves, wear a lab coat, nothing. Just make-up and if I couldn't cover up my tattoos with make up then I couldn't continue in the program. She said it's the clinical site's policy to not allow visible tattoos, not the college's. So I cannot continue in the program and I'm out.
Now, I believe she should have told me when she saw my tattoos that were going to be a problem. She also never told me I had to cover them during testing, only at clinical. Should I just let the matter drop and take a loss or fight back and try to get some of my tuition money back? Any thoughts, suggestions? I know there are nurses out there that have tattoos, even if they are covered under long sleeves.
I would be outraged. It seems like the school is changing it's policy just to appease it's instructors. If I was told that they needed to be covered up for clinicals then, fine, but to cover them while in class for a skill test that's annoying, and being marched up to the "principle's office" as if you were a bad child is unnecessary. I would have serious words with the instructor and dean of nursing.
i didnt read any posts but i think they are being a little overly dramatic about it. i have a tattoo in each of my inner wrists and my teacher said just put a band aid on it. i bring extras just in case one falls off.
we wash our hands alot, so i cant imagine makeup even being worth trying. also, theres a girl in my class that has a whole sleeve. but we are allowed to wear undershirts so she is fine too.
at my clinical site, ive seen a few cnas with tattoos exposed too.
i would definately fight it!! go to the dean or whoever higher up, as high as you have to go
newRNstudent02
245 Posts
I would be outraged. It seems like the school is changing it's policy just to appease it's instructors. If I was told that they needed to be covered up for clinicals then, fine, but to cover them while in class for a skill test that's annoying, and being marched up to the "principle's office" as if you were a bad child is unnecessary. I would have serious words with the instructor and dean of nursing.