RN school and tattoos?

OB_or_NICU_hopeful · Sep 18, 2006

deleted.

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · Sep 18, 2006

I have said it once, and it bears repeating...a tattoo is a personal choice for the person...it has NO bearing on the abilities of a nurse or any other profession! I mean, do people get hired to be in healthcare if they have large moles or discolorations on places seen by pts? NO! This is a perm discoloration of skin too...just chosen by the individual at some point in their lives~!

I have a tattoo...on my scapula (so never seen in scrubs), and plan on getting more that may be seen once in a while (like ankle). SO be it...that is my choice as a human being and individual! Does it effect my abilities..NO!

In this day and age where you have to depend on the kindness of others, people need to realize that you must take people of all different shapes, sizes, and other things...so, tattoos...I see them to be on the lower end of acceptance than other areas that need much more work for the general public to accept!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Sep 19, 2006

Wow, this thread has expanded since I last popped in! All I think I care to say at this point is an observation I've made: by and large, (for the most part), those who support their right to have tattoos and piercings showing do so out of a belief that if it's good for them, that's good enough, the rest of society will just have to deal with it. Their primary concern is their own rights of self-expression. Those who put forth the opinion that they are more concerned with the patient's comfort than their own "rights" tend not to be the tattooed folk. The talk of the importance of having a professional appearance currently accepted by mainstream society is mostly one-sided. Remember, I said "for the most part". But there does seem to be a pattern of 'if I have a tat I want to show off, that's my business and the patient be dam*ed.'

Interesting. And a little disturbing coming from nurses, IMHO.

Edited to add something I meant to address and forgot: When the people in favor of not openly displaying tattoos ask that the patient's comfort be considered in that decision, to consider beyond themselves, those in favor of openly displaying say the first group is "closed minded". Seems the term is being misused.

ladyinred667 · Sep 19, 2006

I'm a first semester RN student, and we were told that all tattoos have to be covered. If it's on your arm, you have to wear long sleeves, on your neck and you have to wear a turtleneck. As far as being accepted into the program in the first place, well, it's not like you attach a photo of yourself to your application (here, anyway!). I don't mind being told to cover up my tattoos. I have to do the same when I'm working as an office temp as well. It is about looking professional. (I try to keep my tongue piercing in until I'm called out on it though )

CuriousMe · Sep 19, 2006

An example: I'm pagan and will often wear a small pentacle around my neck. It affirms my faith and it was also a present from a loved one. It's very tasteful. Now, we all know that there is a fair amount of ignorance still about pagan religions and I come from a state that's about 60% Catholic. I'm sure there would be some little old lady somewhere that would think I was a devil worshiper, because like I said, there are still plenty of misconceptions about my faith. Am I not supposed to wear my necklace because someone might be offended by my choice in religion? I still say that as long as the tattoos aren't obscene or violent, they shouldn't be a problem. My hospital doesn't really have a policy on tattoos-there is a tech with a nose piercing that she wears a bandaid over, but that's so it won't come out and land in someone's abdomen. There is a PACU nurse that has one and she doesn't have to cover hers. Both of these nose piercings are small so I think that's why no one has said anything..Thankfully, it seems as though my hospital judges it's nurses on how they perform, not on how they look(as long as you're hygenic!) Just my 2 cents and I think I'm bored with this thread now... I brought up the necklace example because there are plenty of nurses who will wear a cross around their neck or a Star of David etc. Technically, this should be a no-no according to many of these posts because you may "offend" someone who doesn't agree with your choices.

WOAH there....I haven't seen anyone say that tats are offensive. I've only seen folks say that having them displayed at work doesn't look professional. Not looking professional may put patients ill at ease, since looking professionally attired is one way to communicate that you take your job seriously. When folks are sick and vulnerable....they really want their nurses to take their job seriously :)

Wearing a piece of jewelry that is a gift and represents your faith is a completely different issue (assuming it falls within hospital guidelines....I have a cross made of out of real nails, tied with leather on a leather necklace....I can't see a hospital allowing that....but it's got nothing to do with my faith....just the necklace). I can't see why you believing in something different than a patient should be offensive.

Peace,

Cathie

Patti 2nd gen RN · Sep 19, 2006

The definition of what looks professional will change depending on where you are and when you are practicing. Having tattoos or peircings, wearing scrubs with a variety of patterns, wearing perfume or cologne--all these things can be changed, and who you work for has the right to set the rules depending on their perception of that population. Ex--when I was an officer in the military--no way could I have been promoted as a nurse with a visible tattoo. And then there is the saftey issue--do you work with patients that are psyhotic and will see you tat come alive and attack them--or think that the skull on your arm represents something important about who you are and how you care for people. Do you work with a patient that may pull on a hanging earring and rip you ear?? These are different issues than discrimination dependent of racism or sexim--we have patients who refuse male aides--but are OK with male doctors--when I approach administration with the difficulty catering to these people creates, they blow me off. what if a male patient refused to have females take care of him--???Sorry about the side track--For me--tat's need to be non-offensive if they show--no foul language, no swatstikas, no demons--but ultimately, it is relationships that will define whether or not a particular staff person is acceptable.

Kiren · Sep 19, 2006

My nursing school says all tats from the wrist to the neck must be covered in a way that it does not interfere with asepsis. Our clinical instructor said long sleeved white shirts are permissable under your uniform but only to cover tats. Personally, I do not like tats and I think they look unprofessional for nurses. However, I do not feel they should have to be covered unless the likelyhood of offending or scaring a pt. is great. In other words I names, pets, flowers etc. are ok curse words, Mediaographic or demonic looking tats are not something which should be seen on a professional nurse IMHO.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · Sep 19, 2006

A tattoo should never keep you from being a nurse. Some of the most competent and kindest nurses I know have tattoos. That said, it seems compassionate to understand that some people come from cultures, and backgrounds where people sporting tattoos might initially appear scarey to them. Since we are in the "compassion" business I would hope we would all take and moment and put ourselves in the patients shoes.

I feel that when we are at work it needs to be all about the patients and not about us although it is cool if we do get some personal interaction.

I ride a harley and when I am taking care of someone that shows an interest in bikes I will share that with them. Some of these patients think it is cool that a "girl" rides a harley and some don't. If I pick up vibes that they don't think it is "cool" then I change the subject, because it is all about them when they are the patient, and not about me.

PedsNurse322 · Sep 19, 2006

I have lots of tats, some of which are on my arms, and my nose is pierced. At work (city ER) it's no big deal, a lot of staff have tats and nose piercings, but for clinicals, I have to take the nose stud out and wear a long sleeve tshirt under my scrub top. Since I'm always freezing, it's no big deal to me. Dermablend is good for small tats, but if you have a large tat on your arm, long sleeves is the way to go.

:) Laurie

UnchainedFever · Sep 21, 2006

I have been a LPN for about 5 yrs . . . I toy with the idea of going back for my RN or getting out of nursing completely. I recently got a large tattoo that goes from my shoulder to my elbow. The sleeve of my scrubs cover all but the tip (most of the time). Administration does not have policies about tattoos at my facility and I have received many compliments on it. My dilema is that a co-worker made the statement "I guess you won't be going back for your RN now. They'll never accept you with that tattoo showing through white scrubs." I was taken back by this, obviously I hadn't thought about the affects of my new tattoo when applying to a RN program in rural southern oklahoma, lol. I've thought that I could just wear long sleeves when I apply and interview and it would probably mean covering it with bandages or such while in clinicals . . . . Any how, just wanted to see what others think . . . whether or not it will be a big deal and maybe warn others BECAUSE I honestly didn't think about this before hand.

Don't be distressed... I was quite shocked by what most of we nurses found when going to California. There are nurses there, that have bull rings in their noses. They wear the motorcycle boots that that wore when coming to work and take off their riding clothes and put on a scrub dress... this nurse in particular, as I have mentioned also has tattoos of skeletons going up both arms. and her hair is red and black checked. If I was shot, as I have seen, (more in a 6 week contract) than I have in my whole 25 years...of nursing... I would want this nurse to save my life. Forget the small stuff honey... Just be good at what you do and really mean it. Good luck...

P.S. I don't have any tattoos, piercings or any other thing that they warned about in nursing school...Do what you need to do to get through.

hogan4736, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2006

our hospital outlawed nose rings because "they are bacteria traps"

ILoveMyBeanie · Sep 21, 2006

i have wondered about this topic myself. i am currently in nursing school and will begin clinicals in january. i have two tats and a belly ring and a tongue ring. the two tats and the belly ring don't show but the tongue occasionally does. they haven't got to the clinical rules yet but i wonder what they will say about mine! any suggestions from those who have a tongue ring? i am afraid they will make me take it out and it will close up. do you think they would allow a clear plastic one? all suggestions welcome!