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 2 yrs as CNS then ortho, psych, nephro.

everyone makes a big deal about them being covered with scrubs...i have a tattoo on my left lower inner arm and its never been a big deal...only one patient in my 7 years of nursing has commented negatively on it and she was a retired old skool nurse. whats the big deal?

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Specializes in 2 yrs as CNS then ortho, psych, nephro.
I hope I'm not being rude when I say I just don't understand why so many people want to be looked at because of their tatoos. In a way it seems to be a mild way of provoking others? Some people think they look neat and others think they look demented. I just don't know why a person wants to be stared at in the first place I guess. In any case a person with lots of tatoos sure is an attention getter:weathersunsmall:.

yea ok...people get tattoos for various reason....not just to get attention...dont we teach in our hospitals to our nurses to have cultural awareness and tolerance for our patients? why dont we have it for eachother?

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Specializes in ICC.

i have a chinese symbol on my thigh that says east coast(at least thats what they told me it said) it could say kill a nurse for all i know! but i was young and it was cute and different. maybe i need to get it read by a chinese person one day? but do i really wanna know at this point? i think not. anyway, i have several other ones in descrete locations. what i dont like to see is people with tatoos on their neck. it makes me wanna ask them why.... why the neck?

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Specializes in Acute Care.

I got my rod of asclepius tattoo three weeks ago. :) It has finally stopped intching! Of course, now I want a second one on the opposite shoulder. I guess that thing about not being able to just get one is true....

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Specializes in ER and Home Health.

I have a Caduceus on my right shoulder from when I was in and I was corpsman or should I say Corpswoman. I just had it re inked and added an scripted RN to it that really looks good. I am proud of my history.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, APU/PACU, Peds, Flight.

i think tattoos are fine to have as long as they can all be covered by your scrubs.

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Specializes in PACU,Geriatrics,ICU.

I have 3 and they are not anywhere that would sag or be seen when I'm dressed for work :) Ankles and right hip......

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Behavioral Health.

You would be surprised how many of my co-students hip tattoos I have seen when they are doing patient care. This is why I tend to wear an undershirt that is tucked in under my scrub top. I really do not want the dad or the grandparents staring at thumper on my bumper while I am trying to position the mom so she is comfortable...the only time we can't wear an undershirt is when we go in the OR

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Behavioral Health.

I was going to get that on my foot after graduation

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Specializes in PACU,Geriatrics,ICU.
You would be surprised how many of my co-students hip tattoos I have seen when they are doing patient care. This is why I tend to wear an undershirt that is tucked in under my scrub top. I really do not want the dad or the grandparents staring at thumper on my bumper while I am trying to position the mom so she is comfortable...the only time we can't wear an undershirt is when we go in the OR

I'd have to have my undies off for you to see my hip tattoo...When I worked in PACU and ICU you realize how many ppl have ink now...more than not...

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Specializes in Medical Surgical & Behavioral Health.

ha ha then you have a very strategically placed tattoo! Good, on of my friends who is rather short, was reaching up for an IV bag check and her top came up, her pants were loose and you could see her tattoo just above her scrub pants.

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Specializes in LTC & MDS Coordinator.

I have 2 tattoos, neither of which you can see while in my scrubs. I have a dragonfly on my ® hip, which is only visible in a bikini and I have roman numerals on my upper mid back, (right below where your tags are). The roman numerals are my wedding anniv. I want to get another, they say they're addictive...lol.

I totally think tattoos are perfectly fine, as long as they are well placed in order to maintain the professionalism that comes with being a nurse.

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