Pierced ears; need advice

manusko · Jan 9, 2014

Please read the last two sentences of my post. Also, a side note.. what "values" come into play here? The word 'value' gets thrown around a lot. A 'value' is like "we do not tolerate disrespectful language", nothing to do with physical appearances or accessories unless it has to do with religion I guess.

They hve different standards than you. Whatever you want to call it. Don't like their rules then don't go there. Find a school that shares your standards. Or go there and complain about equal rights and sexism to women who have been paid less and treated worse bc of their sex.

Guests · Jan 9, 2014

Were I in your position, I'd hold off.

The reality is that some people may be turned off by 'em and this is not the time that you want to be alienating people, even for trivial and silly reasons based upon their own biases.

sjalv · Jan 10, 2014

They hve different standards than you. Whatever you want to call it. Don't like their rules then don't go there. Find a school that shares your standards. Or go there and complain about equal rights and sexism to women who have been paid less and treated worse bc of their sex.

So our argument for equal rights is less valid because women have suffered more from sexism than men? That doesn't matter. It's a case of "reverse sexism", if you will. If a school said "white women can wear earrings but black women cannot" it wouldn't last a week.

manusko · Jan 10, 2014

So our argument for equal rights is less valid because women have suffered more from sexism than men? That doesn't matter. It's a case of "reverse sexism", if you will. If a school said "white women can wear earrings but black women cannot" it wouldn't last a week.

You're exactly right but your argument for men wearing earrings wouldn't. That alone Should tell you how unimportant the fight for equal earring wearing rights is. Should men be allowed to wear scrub dresses?

sjalv · Jan 10, 2014

You're exactly right but your argument for men wearing earrings wouldn't. That alone Should tell you how unimportant the fight for equal earring wearing rights is. Should men be allowed to wear scrub dresses?

Actually, yes, I think they should be if women can.

manusko · Jan 10, 2014

Actually, yes, I think they should be if women can.

Well I would include that into your Supreme Court battle for equal rights in nursing.

sjalv · Jan 10, 2014

Well I would include that into your Supreme Court battle for equal rights in nursing.

Your sarcasm contributes much to the discussion. Please continue.

manusko · Jan 10, 2014

Your sarcasm contributes much to the discussion. Please continue.

You compared racism and sexism to a man not being able to wear earrings. If you truly believe that this is sexist and comparable to levels of racism then you should file a lawsuit. Protest at your school and demand equal rights.

Earrings are personal choices but some schools and some hospitals will have rules about these things. If you don't like the rules then you should go to a place that is less restrictive. When you go to college you spend a lot of money to receive your education. If I was spending my money I would want to go to a place that shares my views on those things most important to me.

manusko · Jan 10, 2014

I've been looking to get my ears pierced for a while now. I decided to wait until the end of my first semester, to get a feel for how others may perceive a male nurse with pierced ears. I actually have clinical with a male nurse that has, you guessed it, pierced ears. It doesn't seem to be that big of a deal in my area.
What do you guys think? Would it be best to leave them un-pierced, or possibly try it out and just take them off if it becomes an issue?

You can also put spacers in during shifts. If allowed anyway.

Burno · Jan 12, 2014

You can also put spacers in during shifts. If allowed anyway.

The plan was to space my ears (quite small) over the summer, and simply put in flesh-tone plugs during clinicals.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2014

can't you wait until you are finished with school and have a job? Why take the chance?

I think body modifications are fine...ONCE you are established. What's the rush?

TrevyRN, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2014

My question: Why would the males be punished if the females are permitted to wear pierced ears?

People just have ideas about what is 'professional' and 'clean'...and it is not uniformly applied. As many have mentioned, it may have to do with appeasing or abiding by the rules of clinical sites.

There was an Asian girl at our school that dyed her hair blonde. She was told it was "unnatural" and she had to dye it back to a darker color. Girls that blonde "looked natural" on got away with dying their hair blonde and no higher ups cared. Meanwhile, a girl with a buzzed low hair gets flack for being a punk while it's totally normal for guys to have short, buzzed hair.

(best if read in a surfer, stoner voice) It's like... society and stuff man... the syyyyyssstem.... chaaaaa....it's like.... wooooaaaaaah man....

Anywaaaaays...pick the battles that matter. If you feel strongly about wanting the earrings, then you can bring it up or try wearing them. If you don't really care, screw it. My philosophy is just do what you've got to ta get what you want and need regarding employment and education. For instance, I always grow my hair out longer for interviews and ditch the earrings, then after I'm accepted and established at work, I kinda punk out with my hair and scrubs and stuff. It has worked for me. Once people know you're competent, hard-working, kind, etc then the superficial stuff isn't as critical.

Take it easy!