Piercings in the nursing field

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Nov 14, 2004

I wouldn't wear any piercing (other than ears, of course) during job interviews, even though yours sounds like it's in perfectly good taste........the rule is, the more conservative your dress, the better when you're looking for work!

That said.....there are several nurses where I work who have small studs in their noses or eyebrows, and nobody objects to it. Personally, I don't care much for facial piercings, but they don't hurt anyone.......except, of course, when a confused and/or combative patient yanks one out!!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 14, 2004

Policy at my facility is no visible piercings, except for ears.

Trauma Columnist · Nov 14, 2004

Yep - that's the policy at my place too - only two earrings in each ear - no visible tattoos, no visible piercings.

RedSox33RN · Nov 14, 2004

My school's policy is only earrings, no lip, eyebrow, nose, tongue or ear-cartilage piercings. But I've noticed they do NOT enforce it. A friend of mine in my clinical group has a cartilage piercing that she leaves in (it's small).

There are also MANY tattooed people. One guy in clinical has one on his upper arm that show quite a bit from beneath his scrub top, and one woman has one on the back of her neck - quite big and colorful. Since we have to have our hair up, it's pretty visible. Not much she can do about it though. Either hair is up for cleanliness and tat shows, or hair is down and in the way of procedures, etc, and tat is covered.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with a small nose stud. I would have a problem with a lip ring or eyebrow or especially tongue piercing, but nose studs just seem more........I don't know the right word here, without offending anyone! LOL But that JMHO!

Truly_Blessed · Nov 14, 2004

My school says no jewelry except for a smooth surface wedding band and a plastic watch, anything else is unacceptable. I am all for piercings. I have even had some myself. But when it comes to work, especially in a healthcare factlity, I would never wear one. That tiny little "insignificant" diamond can harbor pathogens which can be transferred to pt.s. I care about the ppl I am taking care of, therefore I will always choose to not wear jewelry even if jewelry is ok w/the healtcare facility I am working at. I am not there to impress anyways, I am there to work. #2 I don't think it looks professional, but that's just for me personally. Some others can pull it off beautifully.:)

celticqueen · Nov 17, 2004

I am a SN that will be graduating Dec 05. I wanted to get my nose pierced with a tiny, very small, teeny weeny insignificant diamond. Do you think this will affect me being able to get a job?

I've got my nose pierced, but I wear a tiny stud. Nobody (so far!!!) has questioned me about it - even the stereotypical straight laced stern ward sisters that you sometimes come across. However, I have been reminded about wearing rings which I think is understandable due to infection control reasons. One of the others on the course has got her tongue pierced.

Emma

Still Riding · Nov 17, 2004

I have my eyebrow peirced and hav efor the past year while in nursing school, i take out the barbell and but in a clear retainer for clinicals.

I've also seen some claear retainers that no one can see for noses. no one sees it and my prof knows about and didn't care.

Robb1978 · Nov 23, 2004

WOW what a topic could get a heated one! I have one tattoo on my calf so that it is easy enough to conceal for work and as far as peircings I have two nipples rings and one navel ring no one can see them but I know they are they but you would be amazed how quicky a resident out of their right mind and not real sure of what is going on around them can grab ahold of those and send you to the floor so as far as it goes I wouldnt wear more visable ones at least not at work

shape0fmyheart · Nov 23, 2004

When I started school I had 7 piercings in my ears, my tongue, and my nose pierced (I wore VERY tiny colored stones that were hardly visible). They told us we could not have any visible facial piercings for clinical so I had to take my nose ring out, and I am only allowed to wear one post earring in each ear. I left my tongue ring in for a while because I figured, hey this isn't visible. I took it out over the summer because I chipped my tooth with it :rolleyes: ... I was warned. Anyway, I really don't see anything wrong with the tiny nose rings that people wear, I think they're cute and very flattering on some people. I have thought about getting mine done again after I graduate and get a job. My aunt is a radiology tech in a hospital and says she works with a woman who has one of those beauty mark piercings - you know the ones that are just randomly on your face, usually above your lip where people like to put the fake beauty marks. She also works with people who have eyebrow piercings... apparently they get no slack for it. I guess if you want things like this it's a risk you have to take with combative patients and germs. I really don't see how a tiny, insignificant nose ring would harbor germs that you could pass to your patients though...

youngRNstudent · Nov 23, 2004

WOW my nursing school has NO rules (I just have my naval pierced)

student_girl · Nov 23, 2004

At my school, the rules are no jewels on clinicals, except for watches and earings. I had to take my nosering out, but it didn't bother me. But I understand why my teacher made me do it. My clinical was in extended care, and elderly people might not accept that, and I've seen the reactions they can have. Have it pierced, but take it out during clinicals. It's no big deal. When you'll be out of school, you will be able to do what you want. Peace.