Tattoos and Appearance

mari12345 · Dec 19, 2008

When I took my CNA class,there were women in the class that had tattoos and piercings.

the piercings weren't allowed,but they did wear a long sleeve shirt under the scrub top.

Hausfrau · Dec 19, 2008

I have a large upper arm tatto and 3 holes in my ear.. actually.. 5.. but the extra two have closed up but the hole is still visible. Not really pretty, lol.

I have seen a ton of nurses with tats and piercings.. I don't think it matters.

My ex had a neck tattoo, two full sleeves, and worked as a CNA.

yousoldtheworld · Dec 19, 2008

I have a tattoo on my upper arm that goes down to my elbow...it shows under some tops. Where I work now, it's not a problem, you only have to cover your tattoos if they are "offensive" or "excessive".

I've worked places where they m ust be covered, no matter what.

It just depends on the place you work, I guess.

rancelumsden · Dec 19, 2008

Being a 58 year old male, don't have that issue. But, I've seen it addressed in various settings.

It seems (in my experience, cannot generalize the country) that piercings are an issue. Some hiring managers simply won't hire you (unless they need people and don't have other candidates). So, it can keep you from being hired in the first place --- I've seen that, first hand.

2nd, they are considered a health hazard. Patients/residents grabbing at them (a hazard to you) and a possible source of contamination. The hospital I worked at would not let you on the med-surg/oncology floor I worked on. You're a liability (their view, regardless of your agreement or not).

Tats were mixed. Some people are more tolerant than others. Small, inconspicuous ones seemed to be ok. Again, it depends on how much need there is for CNA's at the place your looking to work at. The hospital I worked in was in the Chicago burbs, and in an affluent area. They were obsessed with customer service. Large, visible tats, you will not be hired.

Downstate, in more rural areas, don't know if anyone cares......

brella · Dec 19, 2008

I forgot to mention my nostril stud. Would this be an issue? I totally forgot I even have one because its so not a big deal to me. I've had this for 8 years and it would be horrible to take it out.

sonomala · Dec 19, 2008

We had a girl in our class with a nose ring. Durring clinicals she had to put a band aid over it. She forgot one time and the instructor was not happy. Said she could have sent her home. We weren't even allowed to wear earrings at all. Not even tiny studs. We didn't have tatoos but if we had she would have made us cover them with long sleeves.

I think you have to look at it from the perspective of the age group you'll most likely be caring for. Its a stereotype thats changed with more recent generations but for the older ones they see a ton of piercings and tatoos they get afraid and it means, to them, bad person. Your not a bad person your just expressing yourself, but the last thing you want is to get a patient/resident upset before you've even started. And in every facility/hospital there will be those that get upset and your piercings spell trouble for them and you.

We had one lady that liked to throw her fists around, can't imagine if she caught an earring or a nose ring by accident. Ouch for her and you!

Ninja Nurse, ASN · Dec 19, 2008

I LOVE threads like this:D. I, myself, have BOTH of my forearms covered in tats! I was a hardcore, late night Bartender in my "past life" and never imagined that I would one day part of a profession that dictated how I looked. BUT, little did I know, even I would have a change of heart and realize that in this industry of helping people that are sick or aged, our #1 priority is making the patient "feel better" even if that means covering ALL my tattoos to ensure a "safe" appearance.

So as I embark on my new journey, I wear long sleeves under my school scrubs. And I look at it as part of the deal. I also, might I add, wear long sleeves to family events, job interviews, and anywhere else where I feel they might be a distraction. Don't get me wrong, though:nono:, I will NEVER regret my tattoos, just maybe where I have placed them;).

Just remember that the patients and coworkers that you amy come across may be uncomfortable with tattoos and piercing's in non-traditional places. That's just a fact of the matter.

adorblepuppy · Dec 20, 2008

Someone gave me some great advice one time. He told me anything you get as far as a tattoo. To get it where it can be covered up. He had one across his neck. It was like a dotted line and had cut here right below it. He said it has been a factor every sense he has tried to get "real jobs".

casi, ASN, RN · Dec 20, 2008

The only time I can see all of this being an issue is during interviewing. Drop your ear piercings down to two, wear long sleeves, and take out the nose stud for a couple of hours.

Once you get a job things are a lot less strict. Keep the nose stud small and many people wont notice, don't wear dangly earrings, and if your comfortable with it wear long sleeved shirts.

More to Learn · Dec 21, 2008

A fellow student has just been kicked out of RN school after finishing 1st semester because of his tattoos - both arms with full sleeves peaking out on the top of his hands plus neck tats. He's been wearing long sleeves & turtleneck all semester. I can see how some hospitials might not hire him but wouldn't that be his problem once he graduated from nursing school? There is no school policy on tattoos...and why would they wait until he went through the whole semester before dropping the bomb? He would make a great nurse & he's such a smart guy!

brella · Dec 21, 2008

That is crazy! I would be furious.

I do think that he might be able to get away with working in the medical field of some sort. Maybe EMT??