Piercings & Tattoos?

allnurses Guide · Oct 1, 2012

It totally depends on the policy of where you work.

Some places are stricter than others.

Most places want them covered.

windsurfer8, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2012

As a psych nurse first off...what do you mean a "mental health nursing degree"?? We are nurses. I have worked psych for many years, but I am a nurse. And the degree you get is a BSN. So you will be a nurse working on a psych unit. You need good assessment skills that you acquire over time. So I would say "do you want to be a nurse???" Hiring is cut back. WAY back. I would say going into an interview with some bizarre piercing that shows wouldn't be the best move. On the unit I work no visible tattoos/piercings other than your ears. HOWEVER...who knows..maybe you will find a place that doesn't care.

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2012

normally it is ok as long as you can cover them up somehow. you really would have to check with the place you plan on working at.. i would be concerned about working in mental health with piercings, as some of the patients can be violent and may attempt to rip them out. :x3:

ashleyisawesome, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2012

As a psych nurse first off...what do you mean a "mental health nursing degree"?? We are nurses. I have worked psych for many years, but I am a nurse. And the degree you get is a BSN. So you will be a nurse working on a psych unit. You need good assessment skills that you acquire over time. So I would say "do you want to be a nurse???" Hiring is cut back. WAY back. I would say going into an interview with some bizarre piercing that shows wouldn't be the best move. On the unit I work no visible tattoos/piercings other than your ears. HOWEVER...who knows..maybe you will find a place that doesn't care.

OP might be from canada, or another country, where mental health nursing is a totally different degree than general nursing.

Asystole RN · Oct 2, 2012

Psychology degree=no jobs and no money.

Any profession in healthcare, that is a profession, will require to you dress and act as such.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Oct 2, 2012

I wouldnt want those in fear of getting them ripped out by a pt that is less than friendly. I am assuming they are dermals. Oww.

daimere · Oct 2, 2012

I'd say check your facility but I'm sure that piercings are a no-no, especially with mental patients that may be combative. I have a wrist tattoo and just waiting for it to heal on a total care unit was awful/scary. I had to change how I took care of residents to prevent it getting hit. I can't imagine a piercing. I've had girls have their earlobes almost ripped out with our combative residents. In my facility, no facial piercings are allowed.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Oct 2, 2012

I am not a psych nurse and have a microdermal on my wrist as well. No one knows its there unless they know me from outside of work. For work, I take the top off and wear a watch over the anchor.

I also have several tattoos all in easy to cover areas and no one knows they are there. You can have both and be a great nurse. Cover them up and no one will ever have to know :)

I also have a tiny nose stud. I put a clear retainer to keep the hole patent. Not a problem at all. Good luck

westieluv · Oct 2, 2012

No piercings or visible tattoos were permitted anywhere that I have worked as a nurse. One of my co-workers used to have a wrist tattoo that looked like a bracelet of barbed wire and she covered it up with a wide banded wristwatch. Always.

If you do go for it and get to the interview stage, definitely cover up or remove all of your piercings. Nursing jobs are just about as competitive as any other field these days, and most managers will pass on someone who is already breaking dress code, even if you plan to cover them later while working. With all of the people who apply for nursing positions, they can just pass you over for someone who doesn't have this issue to deal with.

MInurse.st · Oct 2, 2012

I have my nose pierced (I wear a small stud) and a tattoo on each wrist. I work in a large university teaching hospital and this has never been an issue.There is an aide on my unit with several visible tattoos and his nose pierced w/ a ring. Patients absolutely ADORE this guy, as does management and the rest of the staff. He's the best aide we have.

mclennan, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2012

Some parts of the country and different employers and environments are all going to vary on this issue. Two things to remember: patient's needs are your priority, that should always come first over your vanity. And, in this market, if you are lucky enough to land any job, you had better be open and prepared to just cover up, conceal or hide whatever they ask you to, and keep your lip zipped about it.

I work in a very conservative office/cubicle environment, doing case management for a large HMO. We are required to wear business clothing and cover all ink & piercings. I am COVERED in tattoos but for what they're paying me, I'd wear a dang clown suit to work if they asked. I don't care, the job and patients are more important than my indulgent skin art!