Nursing and tattoos

Nurses General Nursing

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 ER/AMS/OPD/UC.

I have three tatoo's but they are covered by scrubs, my tat's mean alot to me and I love them!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in geriatrics, pediatrics.

I have a small one of a heart and a daisy with the stem winding out of the heart. Concealed by a bathing suit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have a four leaf clover between my sholderblades, I love it. but no more for me thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

Going with my sister in Feb to get my 3rd tat! :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

I have a heart with my husband's name tattoed on my lower back. It's not quite as pretty as it was when I was younger, and sixty pounds lighter. :rotfl:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in jack of all trades.

I have an ankle tat of leather twist, beads, feathers and a rose. Plan to finish my back hopefully within the next year but that is taking lots of $ as it's full back muriel with american indian theme. Of course that's easily covered by scrubs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics.

In nursing school they said you couldn't have tattoos unless they were covered... I thought It was only for school, but the first thing they stressed in my new job -- no tattoos or piercings (except ears, of course). Although I have no tattoos, there are a number of people I know with tattoos that are more than acceptable. I feel its just another 'make others feel comfortable' rule that is unfair... of course, as a male nurse I get that a lot :p

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

We have a great ER RN (he just got employee of the month, which is no small honor in this HUGE teaching hospital). He's got tribal work from his neck down both arms, and who knows where else.

:p

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ob high risk, labor and delivery, postp.

I would NEVER. For one thing the Bible is against it, I know its the old testament but still. And yes, I do try to follow the Bible teachings old fashioned as that may be. Secondly, I can't imagine wanting to have something so permanant. Its not like you can take it off when you're tired of it. I change my hairstyle (not the color although its trying to change itself to gray), I change my makeup, I wear different clothes,....why would I want to wear anything for the rest of my life? And especially if it hurts to do it.Third, I just don't get it at all. Especially ones with names (of boyfriends and stuff that you could end up hating), or crude ones (like the member and stuff), or trendy things (like tribal tatoos,) that go out of style, or chinese characters(when you don't really know chinese and it sometimes turns out that what is says is not what you meant it too...if you want to say something like courage..just write courage in plain english!!) And why is it that people seem to be addicted to them..like if they have one they have to get more?

I also don't understand the whole piercing thing, but usually that is temporary, although I have seen people with permanant ear cartilage damage who later had to have plastic surgery when it didn't fit with their professional image. And it is pretty amusing, when after childbirth, that belly button ring is no where near the umbilicus!

But hey, if its not hurting anyone, whatever floats your boat, honey!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
And why is it that people seem to be addicted to them..like if they have one they have to get more?

Because a lot of people who get them, like them.

I wanted something permanent, not something that can be changed or "taken off' like hair color or makeup. I've had my 1st one since I was 18 and not for a second do I regret it.

I have two right now a name (lol) on my arm and a heart kind of thing with Kanji writing in it (commonly called "Chinese letters", lol) on my hip. I didn't get it written in plain English for 2 main reasons-#1 It's meaning is personal to me and I don't want anyone who sees it to know what it means. I pick and choose who I explain it to. #2 There was no room to write the meaning. One character takes up less space and holds up better in a smaller area than does a full word.

Getting my 3rd next month, and will get my 4th (in what you might consider a crude area-my pubic bone under where the pubic hair would be) in about a year. I'll also get one of my son's zodia sign or something, as well as for any future children I have. I also have my nose pierced.

I respect that you don't want a tattoo, just trying to help you understand why others would.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Got mine while in the Navy (don't all sailors?) On my right thigh, where the skin doesn't sag as much, and it can be covered easily. BTW- it is a heart with wings

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I LOVE my tattoos. They are hidden when on duty. I feel having a tattoo allows me to relate to my teen patients when the topic comes up because I'm speaking from experience!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment