tatted up and in nursing school

justiceforjoy · Apr 5, 2009

I have a few tattoos. One of which is visible if I have my hair in a ponytail.

So long as you can cover them up somehow, it shouldn't be an issue. My tattoo is on the back of my neck and I just have to keep my haircut short enough to be able to pull the front parts back and keep the back hair down without it coming towards my face when I lean over (If that makes sense). If I need it in a ponytail, I just wear a turtleneck under my scrubs.

vashtee, RN · Apr 5, 2009

I think it depends on your program. I knew a couple of students with tattoos, but they definitely kept them covered. Some of your more conservative nursing instructors won't take kindly to them, and you will see that it is infinitely smarter to keep on the good side of your instructors.

Also, depending on community standards, you may find it hard to land a job after nursing school. My hospital doesn't allow visible tattoos.

newlpn_chic · Apr 5, 2009

I have several tattoos two of which are on my arm the others are in locations where you really wont see like my foot, thigh, back.

All my past jobs I tend to have kept them covered(depending on the shirt), my last job I worked there for ten years I think people in the office just started to see them about 2 years ago they was like wow you have tattoos? (it happen to be a day the AC broke)

Starting nursing school in June I will also be covering them up as well. I personally love all of the tattoos but I also believe its a time and a place for everything. And no matter what people will always have an opinion, its the nature of the beast. So to keep the focus on me and my work I keep them covered. If we meet up after work/school then we can talk tattoos and piercing because I have those two.

Just my two cents.

Vito Andolini · Apr 5, 2009

Don't ask for trouble. Either don't get the tattoo or get it placed somewhere private so you never have to worry about what some employer or patient or coworker will think. Best wishes to you.

nuwbee25 · Apr 5, 2009

I have 11 tattoos including a half arm sleeve and sometimes it is frustrating to not be able to wear a short sleeved scrub top or t shirt but in the end I can still cover every single one of my tats up. There was a girl in my class who's arms and wrists were covered with tats and also had neck tattoos...she was our class president and also a great student and friend. However during clinical she had to cover them all up...I believe when you are a nurse they are not as strict as covering up tattoos but that also depends on the hospital. I have seen many nurses with tattoos on their arms but I myself have been given the "eye" when my tattoos become visible...administration, old school nurses, and some patients maybe offended by them so with that in mind, I would suggest choosing a different location or getting a very small non offensive one where you want. I do believe that if tattoos are visible during the interview process you may miss out on an opportunity.

ps....our class president was given a hard time by some nurses on floors where her clincals were.

HippyGreenPeaceChick · Apr 5, 2009

All good advice given thus far.

I had visible tats going into nursing school. That didn't hinder anything in the least. It has not slowed me down in getting a job. But I will say my visible tattoos reflect my time in the Fleet Marines as a Corpsman. In this day and political age. Hardly anyone takes offense with the military. Now my unseen tats are just that at work, they are unseen. Now at the beach though.

Good luck to you

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Apr 5, 2009

Our NS doesn't have anything about no tats, but in the handbook for clinicals it says you may only have one set of small post earrings, one ring and if people have the ear spacers (can't remember the name but the things that extend your lobe) they must be covered with a skin toned cover. But it says nothing about tats.

I will never understand all the judgments people have against people with tats, my best friend has full arm sleeves of tats. It's not a choice I would make, but it was her choice and her body and she is one of the most caring nicest people I know. When we worked together though she got so much crap and was gossiped about and so many judgments made. I think about once a week I had to set someone straight from them now knowing we were friends and they would start talking crap about her because of her tats. Absurd!

She also had one of the funnest and most unique weddings I have ever been in

kellyc034 · Apr 5, 2009

I have 9 tattoos. A couple small ones you can see if I don't wear a long sleeve tee shirt under my scrub top. I work in a hospital and I'm almost done with nursing school. To say tattoos are not allowed in nursing school is completely untrue. There are regulations that state if you have them, cover as best as you can, or if you have piercings they have to be removed for clinicals. That being said, I would hold off on a tattoo until you have made a firm decision that it is 100% what you want to do. And I definitely don't recommend getting any where you can't cover them if necessary (I have a rose on my hand). Just my :twocents:

Indy, LPN, LVN · Apr 5, 2009

I work with a visible tattoo, but I would definitely recommend to the OP to save it for after graduation. You may change your mind many times during school. You may also run up against crazy people with your future in their hands (nurses in clinical, who are buddybuddy with your instructor, or your instructor even) and why give them any ammunition?

allnurses Guide · Apr 5, 2009

I'm with Indy, save it for after graduation. Where I teach, students are required to cover their tats. The hospital I work in doesn't seem to care, 2 of my techs are heavily tatooed on hands and arms. One is much classier than the other.

Like it or not, many people have preconceived notions about people who wear tats, so why invite trouble? On the other hand, I've tried to raise my kids not to allow others to rule their lives (good old peer pressure).

My two cents: wait.

prisicruz · Apr 6, 2009

I dont think you should get a tattoo, especially if your hair is that short. Rihanna's tattoo behind her ear is clearly seen without even having to look for it. Her tattoo is pretty big so maybe that's why, but it's also because her hair is so short. If nursing is something you really want to go into, and you're aware ahead of time that a tattoo might put that in jeapordy, then I dont advise getting it done.

That's one of the many cons of getting tattoos. Maybe one in your ankle or something like that won't give you any issues because no one at work or school will see it. So you do have options if it's something you really want to get.

Koyaanisqatsi-RN · Apr 6, 2009

The whole rules of 'no tattoos' in nursing school are just like most rules. They've written it down because they have to have it in there in a worse case scenario, but the reality is that no one really cares as long as you don't have any ridiculously offensive garbage or full sleeves etc.

I have some tattoos on both arms, my back, my feet and behind my ears. The ears and wrist ones are really the only ones visible and not a single person cares at all. Nobody judges me for it because I'm a likeable person who makes people feel comfortable around me. Most of the time if you creep people out or act weird then you may have some issues, but people will use whatever they can against you in that situation. Better to fix the root problem (being creepy or weird or confrontational) rather than change your image just to suit ridiculous notions of what is appropriate.

Granted I used to have a fauxhawk which I've tamed down quite a bit because there's no use pushing my luck. But in general as far as tattoos, seriously no one cares unless you've got OTHER problems.