I have a question. I have 4 tattoo's any of which could possibly show in scrubs. None of which would show fully.
1 is on the back of my neck and I have long hair, but even with my hair pulled up my shirt covers most of it.
The other 3 are on my upper arm area where my sleeve would cover it unless my sleeves came all the way up like a tank top almost. Like, if I wear a top with cap sleeves you can see a little of it.
The one on my neck is a sun, moon and stars.
The ones on my arm are 3 Kanji symbols.
So, finally, here's my question, is this something that a hospital will flat out not hire a nurse over?
In all my hospital stays I've never seen a nurse with a visible tattoo, or at least never noticed it.
I am cuurently an lna and have a tat on my back between my shoulder blades occasionally it is noticeable but I have not gotten anf flack about it. Just shock that I have one. I work in a private hospital in NH and have worked agency. No one has ever complained, as long as it is tastefull and not offensive. ie foul language, nudity
If I were an administrator, I wouldn't want to get into defining what it "tastefull and not offensive." That way lies lots of headaches and probably a lawsuit sooner or later.
So, the policy I think works best is no tats showing. Simple, easy to understand and follow/enforce.
I really... really hate to dig up an old post, but it is better than taking up new rows in the database with another post .
I have two sleeves. Full sleeves, and chest tattoos. None that are entirely TOO distasteful (I'm into horror movies, so very expensive, very elaborate, very good iconic horror scenes, characters, directors etc..). I have a friend who is a surgeon. He's got a Japanese body suit, head to toe basically.
So, with that said, I should technically be okay to work as a nurse, granted I just cover my arms at all times correct? I mean it's slightly ridiculous, I'm not a criminal, I scored high 1400s/1600 on my SAT, I'm a software engineer and part time body piercer now. But I've always wanted to be a doctor. The tattoos, definitely won't allow that dream to come to fruition, so nursing is another good way for me to help people on a regular basis.
I can keep them covered, or am I screwed? Thanks in advance :)
Edit: Oh and if the tattoo stigma has any sort of geographic orientation, I'm in San Diego, CA if that aids anyone in their advice.
I am a Nursing student considering getting a tattoo. I wanted it on my wrist but have now decided a more private area, mainly because I think it would be more professional not having the tattoo showing. I know a lot of people can be intimidated or have preconceived notions about tattoos.
However, that being said, it's about your life and what you feel comfortable with!
I have several tattoos, pleasantly located, that to me I enjoy them, having them, and showing them when appropriate. At work they dont show unless you are trying to look where you should not be looking.
I really detest and despise the sexist term tramp stamp. To me that is just blatant stereotyping sexual discrimination. As it only refers to women.
Men who get similar tattoos are never referred to in this way.
im a student who will be applying to nursing school in the coming fall/winter and i am heavily into tattooing because its got meaning to me and my life. i already have an ankle to knee pant leg covered and i hope to get more work done( other leg, chest piece, back piece and sleeves) but now im doing some more thinking about the sleeves because of future employment opportunities. i know as individuals we have rights to freedom of speech/expression but career choices and personal interests don't usually comply to one another.
As tattoos are becoming more accepted these days, i would assume a hospital would be lenient enough to at least tell the person to cover up rather than firing or not hiring someone due to their appearances.
Specializes in Neuroscience/Neuro-surgery/Med-Surgical/.
Even at 36, I guess I am old fashioned when it comes to piercings....
I believe tongue,nose, eyebrow, chin piercings just don't have a place in the hospital. I can't help but stare into my co-workers face and wonder....'who finds this attractive? I find it distractive'.
I am amazed at the number of employees that have piercings, and get away with it.
But i do have a tattoo that in NOT visible, and on my back. I did this after completing nursing school, and after reading the hospital's policy.
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tddowney
162 Posts
If I were an administrator, I wouldn't want to get into defining what it "tastefull and not offensive." That way lies lots of headaches and probably a lawsuit sooner or later.
So, the policy I think works best is no tats showing. Simple, easy to understand and follow/enforce.