Nursing school and tattoos...

[cannolis]

Well, I have been accepted into a nursing program and my last worry seems to be if anyone can tell me while I'm in nursing school, I can't finish the program because I have tattoos. I've seen many tattooed nurses and have even seen tattooed doctors, so I know that's not true.

Then I thought about religious people who are also nurses and wear long sleeves, and I wonder if they have ever had a problem?

I have no problems keeping my colorful self covered, and I prefer to anyway because I do not like being asked about them or talk about them. (It gets a little repetitive.) If anyone who has done nursing programs in GA and knows anything that would help shed some light, that would be great!

[Alfi_srq]

I am not in GA. I am in FL. You may want to search your school's website for nursing student handbook. It would have dress code, tattoos, piercings, hair, nails addressed. Or call and ask for one mailed to you. Out school required tattoos to be covered. So does the hospital where I work now.

[milesamelia]

What I have read into it is that they prefer you not have visible tattoos...obviously there are plenty of nurses out there who have them, so my guess is they just expect you to cover them up...even if it is just with concealer. Just my 2 cents, but I am pretty sure it won't keep you from being able to go to school!

[cannolis]

Thank you for your input. :)

[Concrete Rose]

You'll need to cover it but whether that is enforced is dependent on the school. It will definitely be outlined in the nursing handbook. Most schools allow you to wear long sleeve white shirts under the uniform. Definitely gpc and I think Gwinnett tech. I see it every week while they do clinicals. Concealer is a good recommendation for a tiny hand tat but for a full sleeve, not so much in my opinion. I wouldn't use it if the scrubs are white. Girl, this is the least of your worries. You will be fine and it won't affect your progression in the program. Let me know if you have questions.

[cannolis]

You'll need to cover it but whether that is enforced is dependent on the school. It will definitely be outlined in the nursing handbook. Most schools allow you to wear long sleeve white shirts under the uniform. Definitely gpc and I think Gwinnett tech. I see it every week while they do clinicals. Concealer is a good recommendation for a tiny hand tat but for a full sleeve not so much in my opinion. I wouldn't use it if the scrubs are white. Girl, this is the least of your worries. You will be fine and it won't affect your progression in the program. Let me know if you have questions.[/quote']

Thanks so much!

I remember in Gwinnett Tech's orientation said tattoos must be covered, but that could mean anything! I want to make sure I could cover up using clothing. I am definitely not against covering them at all. I prefer to! But yeah, concealer isn't a reasonable option for me, especially since the uniforms are typically white.

[keepmovingrn]

You aren't the only student to have tattoos in nursing school. I seen students with (sleeve tats) in the program. U just wear a long sleeve white shirt under your uniform that's all. Heck, there's physicians with tats. Relax.

[msygrnbw]

I have three visible tattoos. They are small and none of them are offensive, and I never covered them up even in school. Though our school officially had a policy that all tattoos must be covered, no one ever said anything. That being said, I have heard of other programs that are more strict in which you have to have them covered at all times. I would have to cover one in a thick base makeup or bandage to make that happen - so I'm glad no one minded. The others would be easily coverable with long sleeves. My hospital's policy is that as long as they are not offending patients, they do not need to be covered.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

When I was in nursing school - in TX - they made anyone with visible tattoos cover them up. No one had offensive tattoos but that's the policy.

[amoLucia]

Sometimes it may not be your school, but rather the facility where you will be doing clinical rotations. They may have restrictions, not the school itself. Just FYI.

[cannolis]

Sometimes it may not be your school but rather the facility where you will be doing clinical rotations. They may have restrictions, not the school itself. Just FYI.[/quote']

Yeah, that's my main concern; I do not know the facilities the schools choose so that I can call and ask. :-S

[Concrete Rose]

I've been to most of the hospitals in the area you are concerned about and again, if it's covered, there's no issue. (Emory, Emory midtown, choa, dekalb med, Grady, gwinnett med, atlanta med, Georgia regional). The hospital won't typically address the student. They advise the nursing program of the limitations and that's how the policy is usually determined. Also if it's covered the how can anyone comment on something they can't see?