Shocked by facial piercings at work

Nurses Professionalism

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So occassionally I'll see a nurse or doc with a nose ring, or tongue ring. If it is not for cultural purposes, I personally find that it truly takes away from the professional look we are supposed to have while at work.

I'm a fan of nose rings, I think they are cute and I thought about getting one however I thought it wouldn't be a good look for work. I also would not was to bother taking it in and out.

Anyway, during my share time at a hospital yesterday I was shocked to see that a nurse midwife was allowed to wear a facial piercing at work. She had a piercing above her upper lip.

Is this becoming more common in your work places? How do you all feel about facial piercings in the health care setting?

Specializes in NICU.
I'm sorry. "Rights" was the wrong word. I'm well aware of our constitutionally protected rights, and I wasn't going there. I'm just saying that a person expressed an unpopular opinion, explained her rationale in a non-confrontational way, and was attacked for it. I was also saying if she had said something in a similar way but in favor of the popular opinion, she would have been treated differently. It feels a bit hypocritical, and I knew I would take a few hits for posting my feelings about it. I'm over it, and I'll keep that in mind for the future. I'm not taking this any further because it's going nowhere and coming close to hijacking the thread.

Actually, I found it pretty confrontational and judgemental. If she had of expressed her opinion without all of the ridiculous judgements..i wouldnt have thought twice.

I think thw definition of "professional" has changed with the times. It no longer means straight and narrow, suit and tie blah blah. Our culture has changed whether we want to acknowledge it or not. Theres no way a tattoo or peircing would prevent someone from performi g there job or distract others bc as soon as you step out of your house you see It. I dont have piercings or tattoo but im thinking about tattoos but I would hate tobbe judged by them as to whether I would be a good employee. Also I dont understand the hair color issue...I would love to go in the "red" family..not blood red but reddish and id hate to think that would prevent me from getting a job ( student)

Actually, I found it pretty confrontational and judgemental. If she had of expressed her opinion without all of the ridiculous judgements..i wouldnt have thought twice.

This. Exactly.

Piercings and tattoos just show that you want to fit in and be trendy, don't waste your time or money. If you want to change your appearance go to the gym (if you don't already). My first reaction when I see tattoos and peircings as well as wild haircuts is that the person has issues and desires attention. It's also not very professional and speaks to the lowest common denominator. These people want to be part of a certain group or tribe and get their identity from the images they surround themselves with, few people think for themselves anymore.

^ I concur with that. If you make yourself a billboard, Folks, then BE PREPARED for a good number of people to flat-out tell you that we don't like your message, and you will be discriminated against at least some of the time. If you want to go out on a limb and make a statement, YOU have opened yourself up to whatever comes next.

You're actually joking right? I hope you're never my patient...i wouldnt be "Competent" to care for you due to my 2 arm tattoos and nose stud. The shock! The horror! Your comment offends ME, because my tatts have deep personal meaning to me, they were carefully thought out for many months to years...not just a passing fad.

Nope, I am very serious about that. And I have quite excellent health, as well as two self sufficient parents who are in their 80s in excellent health, so it's not usually necessary for me or my relatives to require any hospital services. But you can rest assured that my dissatisfaction at having yet another unnecessary body-art-show experience at any place of business that should be clean, sanitary, neutral, and conservative in appearance WILL be duly noted on my customer satisfaction survey.

It is your right to do whatever you want with your own body. But it is in your best personal and professional interests to not shove your personal taste in other people's faces in the workplace. The workplace is for work, not personal expression. Save that for your off-the-job time.

You may attack me all you want. I have worked in a man's world for years. I can take it without batting an eye.

Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

So, a man's world is defined as a place of attacks, eh? Doesn't seem there's an end to the list of people of whom you disapprove.

Specializes in NICU.

Nope, I am very serious about that. And I have quite excellent health, as well as two self sufficient parents who are in their 80s in excellent health, so it's not usually necessary for me or my relatives to require any hospital services. But you can rest assured that my dissatisfaction at having yet another unnecessary body-art-show experience at any place of business that should be clean, sanitary, neutral, and conservative in appearance WILL be duly noted on my customer satisfaction survey.

It is your right to do whatever you want with your own body. But it is in your best personal and professional interests to not shove your personal taste in other people's faces in the workplace. The workplace is for work, not personal expression. Save that for your off-the-job time.

You may attack me all you want. I have worked in a man's world for years. I can take it without batting an eye.

Wow. You are just unbelievable. I have no further comments.

So, a man's world is defined as a place of attacks, eh? Doesn't seem there's an end to the list of people of whom you disapprove.

It's funny....DH works in a "man's world" and you know what they don't care about? Tattoos. How their coworkers look. Anything not directly related to competence and work ethic.

Specializes in Med Surg.

Does anyone worry about going through the hiring process with piercings, or do people just take them out for interview then reinsert them after. Serious question.

Visible Tattoos And Other Corporate No-Nos - Forbes

Does anyone worry about going through the hiring process with piercings, or do people just take them out for interview then reinsert them after. Serious question.

Visible Tattoos And Other Corporate No-Nos - Forbes

Everyone I know keeps them hidden during the hiring process and all of their shifts. They have very different work looks and normal looks. People at work have no idea how they normally look off the clock!

Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.
Are you telling me Marilyn Monroe, screen icon who died in 1962, had a lip piercing?!?

SMH.. Lol. I'd have probably Googled this before asking.

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