Tattoo??

[beff]

I'm taking my pre-reqs for the nursing program. I switched over from the BFA art program. When I was still there, I got this tattoo on my forearm. I wasn't thinking about what it would mean professionally because I wasn't looking to be any sort of professional at the time. Oops. It's greyscale, its probably nine inches long and goes up to about two or three inches from my wrist. It's of Saint Anthony of Padua. It's very simple, it's just very big! NINE INCHES!! The question is, is this at all acceptable? Will I have to get this removed in the future, do you think, in order to get a job? I'm going for my RN, and after that, CNM. I am 21 years old. What else, what else.... I am thinking of getting CNA certified so I can be a CNA for the last 2 years of college. I guess that's it. Please tell me what you think. I'd like to keep it, but if it's not an option, I need to know!

[leenak]

From the comments I've seen previously, you'll just have to keep it covered at work. Seems fairly simple to do since you can always wear a long sleeve shirt.

[Waiting for rain]

I'm just starting nursing school, and I have quite a few tattoos. They aren't a problem as long as I keep them covered. I only have to cover them in uniform (lab, and clinicals), our lecture class is dress code free.

I just wear a long sleeve white shirt under my uniform. I have one of the "moisture-wicking" ones and it's super comfortable, and the sleeves are tight enough that I don't push them up without thinking about it.

I've heard from many people that nursing school is usually more strict about tattoos than some hospitals. You go to lots of different locations with clinicals, and the school will usually use the location with the most strict guidelines for their program dress code to avoid confusion. I've heard some hospitals want them covered, some don't mind them visible as long as they aren't offensive.

I know removal is expensive and doesn't even always work fully, so definitely think about it long and hard before pursuing it.

Good luck!

[Backtoyou2011]

I started in the NICU recently, and one of my fellow co workers had a tattoo in a similar location. It is again our hospital policy to have visible tattoos and also against our policy to wear long sleeves while doing infant care. Since she was unable to comply with the dress code, she did not start on our unit.

[Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN]

When you apply to nursing schools, be sure to ask about their uniform policy and if long sleeves are permitted (just tell them you're very cold natured, lol). Some schools do not allow long sleeves, but have policies that tattoos must be covered. As long as your school allows long sleeves under scrub tops, you should be fine. Same goes once you are in the work force. I suggest some tighter fitting l/s tops like UnderArmor.

[Tinman1017]

Thats a sweet tat. I've seen nurses with alot more tattoos then that.

[beff]

This is all actually really helpful. I always figure if I run into a situation where the tattoo is a determining factor for whether or not I get a job, I would get it removed in a hot second... But I would rather keep it. School's not an issue. Nobody says anything about tattoos and lots of girls have them on the backs of their necks, etc. etc. My newest advisor said that as long as I keep up my A's, it shouldn't be a problem. But he didn't seem very convinced of himself...

[♑ Capricorn ♑]

@ beff

keep it, but cover it when working. nice tat, btw.

[LiveIrishRN]

I have a tattoo on the back of my neck, when I started nusring school, they made us wear our hair off the collars. When they saw that I had a tattoo on the back of my neck they made me cover it daily and at clinicals. I have noticed every hospital is different. Some places have policies that as long as it is not offending or gang related then they are fine. Where I work now they don't care about tattoos as long as it is "tastful". Other places that I have been to have said no way.... good luck! Nice tat!!

[heathert_kc]

cover it! and be sure to opt for long sleeves for your interview.

[EMT-newbie]

Laser removal works best with dark ink so those grays may be a problem, plus you stand a real chance of scarring so my personal recommendation to anyone is that unless it's gang related and you're divorcing yourself from that lifestyle... be aware.

Cover-up cosmetics are available that are purposed specially for tattoos in the off cases where long sleeves like a jacket or t-shirt under scrubs isn't an option, and that's advice for any field and not just nursing.

[Dezy]

I think it would be silly for you to scar your body just because you had a tattoo from awhile ago. IMO if a place is crazy enough to turn down a nurse because of a mark on your body then they wouldn't be worth working for! Cover it up if you need to.