Question About Stretched Ears

grownuprosie · May 8, 2012

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/question-about-gauged-703460.html

You will find some answers here and more if you type into the search bar. unfortunately, it is one of those things that is a big fat, "It depends". Though with how hard it is to get a job, i would not risk alienating an interviewer with 1 inch plugs.

Psychiatrists, I assume that is what you mean by "Phycatrist", would be held to a different standard because they are MDs.

KatieMarie1127 · May 8, 2012

Also I would have no problem sizing down from an inch but I was just wondering how other hospitals felt about it. I plan to go to local hospitals and ask them questions about ear stretching, it would just be nice if I could keep them the way they are because I really like my ears being stretched. Thank you so much for your input.

grownuprosie · May 8, 2012

Good luck!

KatieMarie1127 · May 8, 2012

Thank you! :)

NCRNMDM, ASN, RN · May 8, 2012

I'm a third semester male nursing student with 10 months left until graduation. In my nursing program, girls can have both earlobes pierced, and one other ring in each ear (no more than three per ear). Ears cannot be gauged or stretched at all, and rings have to be small studs (no crazy barbells, or flashy, attention-catching jewelry). Males can have one ear piercing in each ear, but this is strongly discouraged. Facial piercings of any kind are prohibited, as are any visible tattoos. Abnormal hair coloring, artificial fingernails, crazy nail polish colors (black, any neon color, etc), abnormal haircuts, and abnormal-looking highlights are also forbidden.

During clinicals, females can have rings only in the lobes, and males cannot have rings at all. These rings must also be small studs. Our school places great emphasis on professional appearance, and we are expected to keep ourselves to a certain standard.

As far as working as a nurse goes, most hospitals will not hire you if you have stretched lobes. The usual policy is no visible tattoos, no facial piercings, and small rings in the lobes only. You will also find that these same standards apply when you begin trying to get accepted to a MSN program.

MeaganHogg · May 8, 2012

Hey everyone,
I'm currently a senior in high school and I will be in the nursing program this Fall 2012 for my freshmen year. I plan to get my Master's in Nurse Practitioning and I either want to work in pediatrics or labor. One problem I have is that my ears are stretched to one inch. I live in Indiana and stretched ears are actually really common here. My friend's sister is a Phycatrist and her ears are 1 1/2 or close to 2 inches. I just wanted to get some input on some nurses that work at hospitals and was wondering what the requirements were and or if their hospital didn't like ear stretching.

I am about to finish my 2nd semester of nursing school this year and there is a girl in my clinical group who has gauged lobes. She can wear what ever she wants to class, but when we are in lab or clinical she has to either not wear any or wear some solid plugs that are flesh toned. I think the flesh toned ones look much more professional and would be a more appropriate option for any type of interview.

subee, MSN, CRNA · May 8, 2012

Just an observation: Young people striving to be different always end up adopting a custom that ends up being quite common among themselves. So why bother in the first place? If you want to do something different, come up with a radical, helpful idea. In this age where nurses are a dime a dozen, I wouldn't bet on ever getting a job with stretched ears.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · May 8, 2012

Also I would have no problem sizing down from an inch but I was just wondering how other hospitals felt about it. I plan to go to local hospitals and ask them questions about ear stretching, it would just be nice if I could keep them the way they are because I really like my ears being stretched. Thank you so much for your input.

I don't think going to hospitals and asking them if they mind plugs.....you will not be given a straight answer let alone a real one. I will tell you that they are not "considered professional attire" and I think you should think more about the patients that will come to see you as a Nurse Practitioner and their view/comfort level. Yes there are exceptions but........I would do the responsible thing and go for a smaller look.

Flare, ASN, BSN · May 8, 2012

Let's face it, the job market isn't great - even for nurses... and while they can't not hire you because of your stretched lobes, they don't have to hire you for a hundred other reasons.

stretched lobes create a safety hazard - solid plugs may remedy that to some extent, but it till becomes just another thing that a combative patient can grab a hold of and pull... and if you don't think it happens in peds or can't happen in l&d, then you are in for a surprise!

MissBrahmsRN · May 8, 2012

i work with several RNs that have stretched lobes, most of them wear clear glass or plastic plugs to work. none of them are stretched larger than 1.5 inch though. nasal piercings are common, many of my coworkers have a discreet nose stud and most of them have more like 3-5 earlobe piercings! policy says no artificial nails but fake fingernails abound. policy doesnt care about polish color only says "unchipped and no nail jewelry like rhinestones" so you see black, orange, flowers, all sorts of cute nail designs.

PrayToTheUnicorn · May 8, 2012

I think you have to go through school and get a job first, then figure out how to express yourself later.

I am entering a BSN program and have many many tattoos, including a half sleeve and forearm tattoos, but you bet I'll be covering them up not only in clinicals (required) but also in regular classes. I believe the appearance of professionalism extends to your nursing courses and labs too, and I do not want to be unfairly categorized by my teachers or classmates. Just the opposite, I want to be the first person my instructors think of when they are considering recommending someone for a job.

I am who I am, but that doesn't mean I need to flaunt it in any and all situations for some sense of personal satisfaction. I can express myself on my own time, and so can you.