Peircings

LydiaGreen · Apr 25, 2004

HI I was wondering what every one thought of the idea of peircings in the nursing proffession. I've never really seen a nurse with a facial peircing. I start my clinicals in the fall, and curantly have an eyebrow ring, which i will probly change to a barbell in the summer

Check with your college or university's dresscode for clinicals - my school allowed only one ear piercing in each ear lobe. NO other piercings. Our clinical instructor was fine with those who had two piercings in their lobes but enforced anything beyond that. Tatts had to be covered. We had one student who had to wear a long sleeved shirt under his uniform because he had tattoos on both forearms - they were tasteful, nothing offensive but, this was enforced. Tongue rings and eyebrows rings had to be removed. So, check the dresscode for clinicals at your school. Our's even had a code for the length of necklaces (to prevent confused or violent patients from grabbing them).

rollingstone · Apr 25, 2004

HI I was wondering what every one thought of the idea of peircings in the nursing proffession. I've never really seen a nurse with a facial peircing. I start my clinicals in the fall, and curantly have an eyebrow ring, which i will probly change to a barbell in the summer so that my empoyer (I'm a server in a restorant for the summers) can have their way, (barbells are easier to take in and out, the ball screws on and off, whereas a ring you need plyers)
I only got the peircing for fun, something temperary and harmless to do in first year University, I only want it for a year or two. Just wondering if there are any other nurses out their with facial peircings, and what you do about them while at work. and if anyone has an opinion they feel like adding too.

Kids today! I must be getting old.

rollingstone · Apr 25, 2004

HI I was wondering what every one thought of the idea of peircings in the nursing proffession. I've never really seen a nurse with a facial peircing. I start my clinicals in the fall, and curantly have an eyebrow ring, which i will probly change to a barbell in the summer so that my empoyer (I'm a server in a restorant for the summers) can have their way, (barbells are easier to take in and out, the ball screws on and off, whereas a ring you need plyers)
I only got the peircing for fun, something temperary and harmless to do in first year University, I only want it for a year or two. Just wondering if there are any other nurses out their with facial peircings, and what you do about them while at work. and if anyone has an opinion they feel like adding too.

Kids today! I must be getting old.

J_W, DNP, APRN, CNS · Apr 25, 2004

I personally do not think it is professional for health care providers to have body piercings showing, especially eybrows, tongues, noses, lips...Ears are fine as long as it is tasteful no big hoops long dangly ones...I would not ask for another nurse if I had one that had all this stuff, I would just not think of her/him as being professional...I have nothing against them I think they look pretty cool...My neice has her navel pierced....Body piercings and tatoos can be very tasteful...

I have tatoos, I make sure they are covered and not visible when I do patient care...I am in the process of getting my third tatoo soon in a couple of weeks....

just my 2 cents worth....

J_W, DNP, APRN, CNS · Apr 25, 2004

I personally do not think it is professional for health care providers to have body piercings showing, especially eybrows, tongues, noses, lips...Ears are fine as long as it is tasteful no big hoops long dangly ones...I would not ask for another nurse if I had one that had all this stuff, I would just not think of her/him as being professional...I have nothing against them I think they look pretty cool...My neice has her navel pierced....Body piercings and tatoos can be very tasteful...

I have tatoos, I make sure they are covered and not visible when I do patient care...I am in the process of getting my third tatoo soon in a couple of weeks....

just my 2 cents worth....

Trauma Columnist · Apr 25, 2004

Our hospital doesn't permit facial piercings except two in each ear and it is enforced. tattoos must also be covered. I'm fine with this. Since nursing is a profession, once should act and look professional. What is going on under your clothes is your business.

Trauma Columnist · Apr 25, 2004

Our hospital doesn't permit facial piercings except two in each ear and it is enforced. tattoos must also be covered. I'm fine with this. Since nursing is a profession, once should act and look professional. What is going on under your clothes is your business.

IMustBeCrazy · Apr 26, 2004

Bear in mind that while you may hang around with social peers that think body piercings are great, you care for people that may not share your enthusiasm. Many older people in my area are shocked and disgusted by body piercings/tattoos. And, since they ultimately pay our wages, I think it's a good idea to be humble.

On a health note, I really hope all people with a fetish for piercings and tattoos are getting screened for Hep C regularly.

critcarenurse16 · Apr 26, 2004

My facility has a dress code that is very strict about piercings-they are not allowed where they can be seen (except ears). Ear rings are not allowed to have hoops or anything that can get caught on anything.

nursemary9, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2004

Sorry, but I think anything but ear piercing is terribly unprofessional!

I also think tatoos should be covered.

itsme · Apr 26, 2004

I have my navel peirced, 2 in one ear and 3 in the other. The first place I walked into to get my navel done had a sign hanging up that said "if you wash it, we can peirce it". they even had a photo album of what they have peirced- it was then that i realized I lead a very sheltered life!! Needless to say, I didnt get my peircing there, the place i went to was actually a clinic like setting, and after I Informed them I was a nurse and checked out how they steralize everything, then I got it done!! I have never had a problem with it and have had it about 5 years.