Self harm and NICU

[guest894451]

I've applied to have my practicum in the NICU, so far I've only had the chance to be in the NICU once and it was amazing and I could really see myself working there one day. But the thing is they don't let you wear long sleeves for infection control reasons. And I have a long history of self harm. I no longer self harm but I have a lot of scars and they are noticable (they are white but they are plentiful and thick). Normally in clinical I wear a long sleeve shirt underneath and roll it up for patient care but they don't allow it in the NICU. Do you think I could still be a NICU nurse? I am worried parents and mangers will think I am too mentally unstable for the job.

[jennylee321]

Don't let your scars stop you from following your dream if your dream is NICU. You may get some comments from parents who are rude enough to comment, but if you feel like you can hold your own against there comments you'll be alright. As far as employers go, it would be discrimination/inappropriate for them to comment on your ability to care for patients and calling you mentally unstable.

to be honest the most comments you will probably get are from fellow nurses. My partner has a large surgical scar, and I swear the only people who ever ask about it are nurses. I guess because of their medical curiosity and their unconscious assessing.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

If they are old scars, then I don't see management having an issue with them. If you have healing scars, they may ask about them. Many nurses have healed emotional scars. Unfortunately, yours are visible.

[fulitarn, BSN, RN]

I have self harm scars as well and work in the NICU. I am able to wear a 3/4 length shirt under my scrubs which covers most of them. I work with a devout Muslim who wears the same thing. Your management should be willing to work with you. As for the judging you, it's possible that they will.; YOu just have to work hard and show that you are a good nurse so they don't care.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

I've noticed a couple of coworkers with self-harm scars. It isn't something I'd ever bring up with them, nor do I judge them negatively. If anything, I admire that they've overcome their past experiences to become such awesome, kind, well-adjusted colleagues. You'll likely notice your scars more than anybody else does. As long as you don't draw any additional attention to them, I don't think it would be an issue.

Within a specific NICU, you may be allowed to wear long sleeves under your scrubs then just roll them up to your elbows during cares (that's been totally acceptable in the NICUs where I've worked). Your arms would be exposed during cares, but covered the rest of the time. However, I wouldn't personally ask management to make an exception to the dress code for you (as a PP suggested); your managers may not care about your medical history, but they might get annoyed if you ask to be excluded from infection control procedures.

Did your clinical instructor tell you 'no sleeves'? Nursing schools tend to be obsessive about dress code enforcement. If you do your clinical practicum on the unit, you may see a handful of nurses with long-sleeved shirts under their scrubs, even if you're not allowed to wear them. Maybe you could bring your concerns up with your clinical instructor.