Tattoos and Appearance

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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I will be taking the CNA course starting in January and I just realized that having tattoos/more than one ear piercing might be a problem. My mom is a nurse and when she worked at a hospital they only allowed her to have single-hole ear piercings. I have 5 in each ear. I also have a large tattoo on my upper arm and 3 small ones on my forearm. I figured I could just wear a long sleeve shirt under my scrub shirt. Would this work or would it be hard to perform tasks with a long sleeve shirt? I thought that nurses/aides today were not as traditional looking but I want to make sure. But I figure it also could depend on the area and the hospital. Any experience with this?

I think as time passes, tattoos will become less and less of a big deal. It seems like these days, just about everyone is getting them.

Piercings, on the other hand, are a different story. I understand why they are usually banned for infection control reasons.

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Specializes in (Hopefully one day..) neuro/urology ^.^.

I love this thread.

I have 4 tattoos (two are on my inner wrists, one on the back of neck, and one on my ankle).

They aren't vulgar or offensive and they are all pretty easy to cover-up (if need be)

I've been worried about having them once I become a nurse, but I've been hearing a lot that many nurses have them, so it makes me feel better. :D

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i work ith this girl

that has tattoos and so do i but she was all the time pulling up the myspace page to show every emt and paramedic and firman in ed her stinking tats

that is sick !

ihave 3 but they are covered

i think as long as you can cover them it will be ok

if not they have a product called natural cover for tatoos

it covers them and is waterproof

peircings are not allowed in the hospitals

like they used to be

so they wont let you were nose rings or eyebrow rings

or lip rings

it dont look professional

and the hygenic factor is a issue

a confused or angered patient could reach up and RIPPPPPPPPPP it out of your face

and it has happened in the E.D where i work

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The guy who was kicked out of school should seek some legal counsel regarding his departure, especially if there was not a policy. Also, the policy is just to have them covered up, but not to the extent of not having them at all. There are many medical professionals on all levels with tattoos and piercing, so I honestly cannot the problem. There was a previous post that hit it on the button, cover up and lose the piercings for the interview, and then work with what is suitable for the hospital. I have to wear long sleeves in my CNA program because I have tattoos from my hand to my shoulder on both arms, it is not a problem. Just find out what the policy is, and follow it. Good luck to everyone.

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Trini82,

He has one more appt. with them to plead his case. I've told him about the make-up coverup someone mentioned on this blog - perhaps he can work it out with them. Before, he just wore turtleneck & long sleeves but they say this won't work when he has to pull up his sleeves for sterile procedures. Maybe the waterproof make-up will do the trick! I understand now that it's not the school's fault - it's the policies set forth by the clinical sites. The good clinical sites are getting harder to get because there is more competition for them - the school does not want to jeopardize loosing the site. Still, the school should let this be known to students who work so hard to get into the program.

PCCLancer

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I think he has a case. He got into the program and then they wait? And theres no policy? Nope he should be able to get compensation for the semester, the school fees, books ect.

It was probably the clinical sites who got nasty. We were the first students to do clinicals at our ltc. The uniform for the school had been blue scrub top, white pants white shoes. They'd had that forever at many clincal sites. One girl wore a thong, it was white but what an uproar it caused! Why would anyone look that closely anyway? lol Residents, admins. It was kind of silly, none of us oldies wear them and thought it was a bit funny. But they gave our instructor such stuff that all future classes will be in blue tops blue bottoms. Because the school wants to go back there they have to play by the rules.

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i am not a cna yet ( i start class soon ) however i did work at a fire department and on an ambulance for 6 years , i have tatoos on the back of both arms above my elbows , what i did was always kept mine cover during the hireing process and while i was new then once everyone knew me , and that i was a good person and hard worker i would stop covering them . i think once people know you and what your like they have an easier time excepting your differences . good luck:wink2:

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I am an RN student, with a year left. I have a huge chest piece, and being a girl, that is a little more than weird for some. I wear tees under my scrubs, and nobody knows I have them! My classmates where a little shocked the other day when I wore a tanktop to school.. Most of them did not know I had a huge skull on my chest, but I never regret it, and its easy to cover.

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Specializes in PCT/CNA/HHA.
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.:D

Hey! I see youve started an 8 week CNA class! Join our April-March CNA grad thread! :yeah: LOL

https://allnurses.com/cna-nursing-assistant/cnas-graduating-march-367263.html

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

I would probably make it a practice to carry an extra undershirt or two with you each day incase you get them soiled or more wet than what you can stand.

Since they are on your arms, I don't see it being a problem...like you said, they are easily covered with a shirt.

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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.

If you've had it for 8yrs, taking it out for an 8hr shift and putting it back shouldn't be a problem- after that long the risk of it closing in that 8-12-ish hrs I'd think would be exceptionally small.

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I don't necessarily agree or disagree with the findings or the practice, but hiring managers point to studies within Getting inked: tattoos and college students to support some of their occasionally irrational behavior. Note this is a Google search link and some of us students will have access to the full report via school or library credentials. Pick a source.

From the study, "Tattoos have been empirically associated with a several deviant behaviors and criminality." I doubted that it seems like everyone is getting inked these days. I was wrong to doubt. Depending on whom you believe, it really is approaching or surpassing one-third of those under 25 y/o or younger.

Grad students: We need a new study with younger participants.

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