So here's a question for all you fresh new nurses out there living and learning along beside me...
While I was in nursing school, i always promised myself that when I got licensed I would get a tattoo on my lower back of the cadeuseus and the letters RN on either side. And now that I am an RN, the tattoo loving part of me still wants it, but I am still new and there is this thought in the back of my mind that I'm going to somehow lose my license and then what? I would have this tattoo forever. Am I just being a freak? And most importantly, do any of you have any freaky thoughts along these lines?
Do what you want but think long and hard about it. I have one small tattoo on my ankle (music notes) and a pretty big one on my back. I thought about getting it for some time before I promised myself that I would wait until graduation (a year away) to get it. I still wanted it when I graduated so I got it, crossed the stage with my brand new tattoo.
Next month will be a year that I've had it and I don't regret it one bit. I'm well aware that when I'm 80-something it'll all look like a bunch of blobs on wrinkled skin but I really don't care. It looks good now (better in person than in the picture) and I think it's beautiful. If people don't want to see it, look away!
Go for it!! I am graduating in 11 days,:yelclap: and with a portion (albeit a tiny portion) of my RN sign on bonus, I am getting a tatoo as well. Mine will be the Chinese symbol for "healing"- I thought it was appropriate and symbolic to celebrate the profession without outright saying "I'M A NURSE". Three girls I am graduating with are threatening to get tatoos of bandaids on their, well... cheek.
I always wanted to get something medical or nursing related, this was before I dropped out of nursing school and decided to be an EMT, I have decided if I get another tattoo that it will be the chinese symbol for the word "ouch". Its not specific to one job or another and it just seems to fit my personality.
My next tattoo (once I have a job and therefore income) is probably going to be a double armband - I've picked several words and translated them into both Gaelic script and Hebrew - they'll go around my bicep. I know the Jewish tradition forbids tattooing, but I'm not a religious Jew - just cultural heritage.
I am very anti-tattoo. I have one I got when I was 13 and it is horrible. When I was 13 I thought it was great. If you get one now, what if you are a completely different person in 15 years. A tattoo is forever, why not reward yourself with something less permanent. Get pens with your name and RN on it or something! If I could only begin to express to you the agony of having a tattoo that my husband and I both HATE, how many times I have looked at it and felt my stomach drop to realize it is there forever. Eventualy I will have it removed when I can afford it, but then I will still have an ugly scar.
If you do get one, get one that has something to do with you as a person, something more eternal. You may decide you hate nursing after a few years. Many do!
Thanks for all the advice guys, I already have one tatto of a butterfly {my very favorite thing in the world because it symbolizes change} and we will just say that it is somewhere that no one ever sees it. I love tattoos and I like the suggestions about getting soemthing related to the healing aspect of nursing without specifically saying RN. Lots of things to think about. Thanks aain. When I finally decide on something cool I will show u guys a pic. PS..not now, u freaking rock baby. I love your back.
If you do get one, get one that has something to do with you as a person, something more eternal. You may decide you hate nursing after a few years. Many do!
This is pretty key - although I feel a little differently about it. I have a large fairy on my arm that I got when I was 18 and really into fairies and magic and stuff. Not so much into that kind of thing now. However, I feel like it reminds me of a time when I was a little more innocent and believed in magic. So even though I wouldn't get it again, I'm not sorry I have it. Same with the triple moons on my neck.
I was wanting to get a tattoo to symbolize my graduation as well. I am going to get one but I am getting one that symbolizes this phase in my life. I am getting celctic heart that means motherhood. Maybe one day I will get a nursing one too, but I wouldn't want it to be too overtly "nursey."
i graduated on may 11th~ and had my very first tattoo done on may30th!!!
i designed a cute white nurse's cap with my name in scriptina across the top. it looks awsome!!! i took the nclex yesterday and if it turns out the way i plan... may get another one~~ who knows!!! i say go for it!!!
not now, RN
495 Posts
Do what you want but think long and hard about it. I have one small tattoo on my ankle (music notes) and a pretty big one on my back. I thought about getting it for some time before I promised myself that I would wait until graduation (a year away) to get it. I still wanted it when I graduated so I got it, crossed the stage with my brand new tattoo.
Next month will be a year that I've had it and I don't regret it one bit. I'm well aware that when I'm 80-something it'll all look like a bunch of blobs on wrinkled skin but I really don't care. It looks good now (better in person than in the picture) and I think it's beautiful. If people don't want to see it, look away!