tatoos & piercings, part 2

[amoLucia]

There's another current thread right now about tats & piercings. And I've responded. But I had another thought.

Nursing is complaining about the lack of professional recognition. And altho I will probably get slammed, I can't help but ask - How professional is the picture of ourselves with extensive tattoos and body piercings present???

Thinking about it - none of my healthcare providers have any - not my PMP or his staff. Nor my dentists. Any priests, ministers, rabbis, etc? And any of the good Sisters?

I don't think lawyers showoff any - sheesh, they all seem to wear black clothes.

For as sleeveless as Michele Obama is, has anyone seen any tats? Any politicians with visible piercings other than maybe an earring? (And I'm talking about the females.) Caroline Kennedy, the newly appointed ambassador to Japan - anything?

Now I'm not talking about body art that's hidden under clothing. But when I watched the basketball playoffs, one player had such extensively tattooed arms that I thought he was wearing sleeves. Why is it that nursing schools and employers of nurses must now have dress code/policies that spell out visible body art?

Does med school, law school, divinity school?

I support individuality, but I think we may have crossed a line of decorum/good taste that reflects on the image we wish to impart.

Just my 2 pennies.

[HM-8404, BSN, RN]

Often people get inked or pierced to show they are unique. They fail to realize so many people have tatts and piercings now there is nothing unique about it, they are the status quo.

I have 5 tatts, all over 20 years old, that can all be covered with a t-shirt because there are times when I didn't want them showing, ie.. church, meeting a woman's parents for the first time. I regret all of them except one. The tatts that look cool with nice color and great detail will look like a prison tatt after many years.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

PERSONALLY, I do not like tattoos. (I don't care what others choose do to their body). I also personally think that tattoos and visible piercings do not make a good first impression. However, that said, there is more to being professional than visible impressions. If they want to get tattoos etc, that is their business, but they should be aware that for some people, especially the older generation, it will create a bad impression that they will have to work harder to shake off. But with tattoos being more mainstream now, it's not such a huge issue. Despite my dislike for tattoos, I wouldn't care a bit if my doctor, nurse, whatever, was covered in ink. They still passed the training and met the education for their job.

Actually, it is quite common to see elder men with tattoos. Especially those who were in the military. There are a number of service people/former service people who have tattoos. Who are nurses.

There seems to be a undercurrent that from "halter tops" and "stripper shoes" type comments that it is inappropriate and unprofessional for women to have tattoos. That is about as outdated as thinking males should not be nurses.

People get ink for a variety of reasons. It is not the "shock value" as it may have been at one time or another. People have piercings. Are we saying it is "ok" for a woman to wear a pair of earrings but somehow it is less professional for a male?

People present themselves how they would like to. As adults, and especially as nurses--because it is a vital part of our jobs--we really need to see people as people. Not make sweeping assumptions based on how they choose to present their bodies.

What looks unprofessional for nurses is that here we are in 2013 defending a person's right--who happens to be a nurse--to not be judged by what kind of nurse they are, but instead that they have a nose ring or a tattoo. And that as nurses, one of the fundemental parts of the profession is to NOT make judgements, but to critically think based on fact.

At the end of the day, I could care less if the person who is doing chest compressions is covered head to toe in tats. And I am quite sure that the patient involved would be so inclined as well.

[JDZ344]

There seems to be a undercurrent that from "halter tops" and "stripper shoes" type comments that it is inappropriate and unprofessional for women to have tattoos. That is about as outdated as thinking males should not be nurses. >>>

I'm going to risk an outlash here by saying I actually agree tattoos on women are vulgar. (MY opinion... which I have never and will never voice to a tattoo'd woman or anybody else)

People get ink for a variety of reasons. It is not the "shock value" as it may have been at one time or another. People have piercings. Are we saying it is "ok" for a woman to wear a pair of earrings but somehow it is less professional for a male?

People present themselves how they would like to. As adults, and especially as nurses--because it is a vital part of our jobs--we really need to see people as people. Not make sweeping assumptions based on how they choose to present their bodies.

What looks unprofessional for nurses is that here we are in 2013 defending a person's right--who happens to be a nurse--to not be judged by what kind of nurse they are, but instead that they have a nose ring or a tattoo. And that as nurses, one of the fundemental parts of the profession is to NOT make judgements, but to critically think based on fact.

At the end of the day, I could care less if the person who is doing chest compressions is covered head to toe in tats. And I am quite sure that the patient involved would be so inclined as well.

I think we are agreeing but I am just pointing out that some people WILL judge. I don't care if my doctor, nurse, lawyer, store clerk or anybody has a full body of tattoos. That's their choice. I would never judge them for it. But some people will.

[Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN]

Last I checked that generation grew up in a time when it was okay to call African-American the "bad word" and it was okay for men to tell their "little women" what to do and when to do it. Guess what? Times and acceptable behavior and styles change. Change with them or keep your opinions to yourself.

I thought this was a forum for open discussion. I am offended. How open-minded of you.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

My daughter (almost 24) has many tats; one she really regrets because she let a friend do it - it is a parrot with XX's for eyes. We call him Petey and she wants to have him "fixed" somehow one day. I'm not a fan of the style of art that goes into tats and wouldn't have it on my wall. But I've come to realize that this is a trend and I bought her a book for Christmas about scientists and tats. There are many folks who have them but we just don't realize it. Some of these tattoos are gorgeous and inventive. Here is the link - it is a great book by Carl Zimmer with a forward written by Mary Roach:

Amazon.com: Science Ink: Tattoos of the Science Obsessed (9781402783609): Carl Zimmer, Mary Roach: Books

One of my sons has a tat of a star on his calf. The other son doesn't like tats. The 3rd son is only 12.

edited to add: I don't think simply having a tattoo means something sinister or irresponsible. My daughter is a hard-working young woman whose goal is to become a chef. My son with the tat is also a hard-working young man as is the son who doesn't want one.

I will say though that I have a niece who has a tat of a martini glass on her neck that is simply hideous. And she's not a hard-working productive person. But that's not because of the tattoo.

[manusko]

The hospitals that my wife and I have worked for had rules to govern professional appearance. One earring per ear and no visible piercings anywhere else. Also tattoos had to be covered. It's may just be a matter of where you work. I'm not against tattoos but I wouldn't suggest highly visible ones because they could severely limit your options.

[manusko]

Last I checked that generation grew up in a time when it was okay to call African-American the "bad word" and it was okay for men to tell their "little women" what to do and when to do it. Guess what? Times and acceptable behavior and styles change. Change with them or keep your opinions to yourself.

Racist and sexism is not the same. People for the most part do not choose their sex or race.

[mongo73]

I think tattoos are ok, I know the general public has verying views on this topic. I think once patients get to know their provider ie Nurse, Doctor, PA they are less likely to pass judgment and make judgement about the provider based on skill and personality.

[sealford]

I am a fully sleeved nurse..and I can work uncovered.. No judgement.. I provide care to my residents..and you know what..the world is changing... lets be ourselves..we are all human..people...lets love and be loved. I work FT days at a nursing home..I love it. I wouldnt change a thing about me. and these tattoos do NOT affect how I care for them... think before you judge

I love it! I only have 3, but I hear ya.:)

[norlns24]

Love both pics above.

[mongo73]

Sealford,

Nice I like your work. I like the pomp too. I could not agree more with your comments more, live and let live...

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

. But I've come to realize that this is a trend and I bought her a book for Christmas about scientists and tats. There are many folks who have them but we just don't realize it. Some of these tattoos are gorgeous and inventive. Here is the link - it is a great book by Carl Zimmer with a forward written by Mary Roach:

Amazon.com: Science Ink: Tattoos of the Science Obsessed (9781402783609): Carl Zimmer, Mary Roach: Books

My daughter tried to pluck my tattoo off my breast when she nursed; both she and her later sibling learned pretty quickly it wasn't possible to pick it up. :)

Now she has a PhD and has a tatt on her belly with some design that has to do with her dissertation topic and current field of study. I don't understand it but I don't have to. :) Now her babies try to pick it up...and can't. Son in seagoing field doesn't have one and says he never will. Maybe because in his family it's only women? :)