Nursing and tattoos

Published

  1. Do you have any tattoos?

    • 716
      No, never would
    • 525
      No, but would like to
    • 712
      Yes, but only one in a discreet area
    • 83
      Yes, but I wish I didn't
    • 990
      Yes, I have more than one, but less than ten
    • 132
      Yes, my body is a living canvas

1,962 members have participated

:D Just thought we needed a new poll...
Specializes in SNF-LTC; Gero-psych.

The reason I took my earrings out is because i work in a LTC facility and some of the elderly ladies (who have a hard time with a "male" nurse) have a problem with you having piercings as well they think you are a "hoodlem" or the like.. I kept my tongue ring in because its harder to notice.. In general I don't think its a problem personally for nurses to have piercings or tattoos male or female. I just think it puts some of the patients at ease to not have them.

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I have 7. I have a dolphin bracelet on my left wrist, a dolphin inter-looped with a quarter moon on my left calf, I have a heart with a dolphin on the top of my sternum, a dolphin across my lower back, I have a heart with a rose going through it on my right upper arm with my grandma's name, I have a baby grumpy care bear with my son's name under it on my left upper chest, and I have my best friends initals on my right upper chest...she took her own life at the age of 14. I am in Nursing school and I am able to cover up the bracelet tattoo with a watch, and nobody says anything about the one on my neck. And I work at a hospital and most pt's seem to like them.

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I have always wanted to get one but when I see elders that have them and they are all deformed and you can't tell what they are it stops me from getting one.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
I have always wanted to get one but when I see elders that have them and they are all deformed and you can't tell what they are it stops me from getting one.

Try to remember that the equipment they used "back in the day" was a primitive version of what they have now. Especially military tats. Those were often done on a ship or over seas with horrible equipment, low quality ink, and a less than trained "artist".

All these "I see what it's like at the nursing home" and "I don't want to be the talk of the nurses if/when I'm in LTC" comments kinda bug me. Shoot, if I'm 96 years old, in LTC, and my biggest worry is what people think of my tats....well, lets just say, I must be one lucky SOB!

Kelly

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Specializes in Geriatric, Rehab, Hospital.

I almost got a Batman tatoo, but chickened out @ the last minute

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Had one on my finger, then had it removed years ago. Wasn't one to keep. I've been thinking about the idea of getting something more professionally done on my lower back, but can't seem to come up with something I would want to have and enjoy for the rest of my life.

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I have a rose tat. on right shoulder and rose tat. on left ankle. I would like another tat. on my lower back. I also have a belly-button piercing.

Cheryl

RN in 2008

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I thought I had replied to this post - I guess not.

I have a John Lennon tattoo on my right shoulder blade area. It's covered most of the time, but I love it.

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I have an tropical flowers and frogs on my ankles, gotten a few years ago, now I wish I hadn't. I plan on having an excision done to remove once I find some one to do....:o

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Specializes in ICU.

I just got mine last week. It's my children's names written in pretty script with hibiscus flowers around it. I LOVE IT!!! but it is on my lower back so no one sees it unless I want them to. As for when I'm 80, well I can't see it that easily so I really won't care what it looks like.

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Specializes in Education, Acute, Med/Surg, Tele, etc.

I have a caduces on my left scapula covered by scrubs (heck only if I wear a tank top can you see it). It was given to me from my fellow nursing students because I did not attend graduation...I got married instead that day!

I also have 5 piercings in each ear, navel ring, nose ring...but you would never know it at work since I don't wear any jewlery at work except for the navel ring that is hidden. I am done with piercings..LOL, but more tattoos are certainly an option!!! But in areas covered by scrubs only!!!

Yeah I have thought about the old lady thing when my tattoos reach the floor...but hey, most people I know have them already and kinda the trend...so I suppose we will all have them that way...LOL!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Case Management, OR.

i have permanent eyeliner.

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