Piercings as a CRNA

piratenurse0226 · Jun 20, 2013

Hey there, that's awesome that you have a stellar GPA and you are eager to become a CRNA. In regards to your inquiry, just remember, a lot of the managers, instructors, senior personnel, and program directors have a certain view on individuals they choose to represent their hospital, school, program, etc. They want someone who presents themselves in a professional manner to those they want them to care for, especially the baby boomers, who are the ones that judge you and may have a negative image of you right off the get. I say this because I have full sleeves and a full chest piece tattoo (no, nothing is offense and a lot of it is very colorful and has meaning to me). Because of this, I have to wear Long sleeves even in the summer to hide them. Not because it's policy to keep them covered, but if it wasn't, I would still wear them because I want to promote a positive image to my patients and senior staff. No matter where you go, people are going to have a view on you. You can still keep your personality and the piercings, and people will tell you to be yourself and if individuals won't accept you that's their loss, but lets get real. If you want to climb the ladder to one day become a CRNA, your image is the first thing they see. Would you want to take a chance and risk missing out to be different? You can always change after you get accepted

naptime14 · Jun 21, 2013

Hi,

Once you start your clinicals in nursing school, they will not allow facial piercings. They are pretty strict on uniform policy and professional appearance. We weren't even allowed to wear any earrings that would hang down. They had to be small stud earrings and we were only allowed one in each ear.

hopefuladolescent · Jun 21, 2013

So what should I do about my plugs? should i get them snipped and sewn up?

piratenurse0226 · Jun 21, 2013

Your call. Your gauges are pretty large so thy may be an option.

PMFB-RN, RN · Jun 21, 2013

To the OP. In my experience in nursing your body modifications would not be allowed in any hospital I have ever worked in. The bottle neck for wannabe CRNAs is getting that ICU job. Many others are in completion for those jobs. The impression you make with your appearance WILL MATTER.

I am curious, when you made the choice to have your body modified in such a way, did you consider at all the impact it would have on your future employment prospects?

My advice is to get rid o everything than can be seen when dressed normally. Have your ears repaired. The huge openings look terrible.

naptime14 · Jun 21, 2013

I honestly don't think any employer would hire someone with facial piercings unless you are working at a pizza place or tattoo shop. Nurses and CRNA's are a group of professionals (not saying people with piercings aren't professional, but it just doesn't look good to patients and employers). Really though, you have a while to think about the CRNA part (atleast 5+ years). It's great that you are thinking ahead, but I would focus on your undergrad first and getting a job as a nurse in an ICU.

Yuppers21 · Jun 21, 2013

Yes, get your ears repaired and remove all the other piercings. I do not believe skin toned plugs will be an option, particularly with how large yours are. I'd be surprised if there is a nursing program out there that would allow you to keep them in, much less finding a hospital that will hire someone in contact with patients, and even lesser still, a CRNA program who would consider giving you spot with that kind of image. Good for you for thinkng ahead.

readyforachangenow · Jun 22, 2013

I have the same thoughts about my tragus piercing and whether or not it would be acceptable.