Tattoos and nursing school NCCC

christina731 · Jan 4, 2015

I can't tell you how your particular school is but my school in Las Vegas, NV would require you to wear a long sleeve shirt under your scrub top to cover the tattoo. However many RN's where I did rotations had numerous visible tattoos.

ThatBigGuy · Jan 4, 2015

Most schools have much more strict dress code policies than the hospitals because the schools are guests in the hospitals for clinicals. If students show up less-than-professionally put together, it reflects poorly on the school and the clinical site, because guests can't readily tell the different between staff and students. That means students are held to a higher standard than hospital employees.

You can go about this three ways.

1. You can suck it up, follow the dress code, and cover your tattoo. This is obviously the one most likely to result in a drama free educational experience for you. Nursing programs are pretty tight knit communities, and you don't want to rock the boat in your first semester.

2. Use the appropriate channels to open a discussion on changing the policies. Done properly, this can be a professional and mature experience. If you manage to change the policy, congrats. However, you are fighting an uphill battle and must be ready to accept that you'll likely not change the policy.

3. Quit, and find a school that has less strict policies regarding this matter. I would advise against this option, because you'll find it difficult to find a school with such relaxed policies on appearance.

I would strongly advise you to invest in a few Under Armor type long sleeve sports wear, mostly because they wick away moisture and are skin tight. You don't want to be sweaty all the time, and you definitely don't want your shirt sleeves dragging through poop. The NBA-type sleeves are popular, and there were several students at my school that loved them.

Just remember that an overwhelming majority of school and medical administration members are from previous generations, and tattoos are considered, at the very least, quite unprofessional. Is it right? Probably not, but that's life in healthcare.

nlitened · Jan 4, 2015

They have sleeve covers, and since your tattoo is just a half sleeve that should be easy to cover. Google tattoo sleeve cover. Just slide it on over your arm and it stays put. I am assuming your half sleeve is from elbow up? If it is elbow down, then a sleeve cover there might pose an infection control issue, and would just suggest a tattoo cover up...makeup. It is pricey, but will hide your tats for clinical. Sephora sells 3 different kinds, but you can sometimes also find them on Amazon.

TLizS · Jan 4, 2015

In our program you are required to wear long sleeves/keep them covered during clinicals. I know my brothe in law bought one of the sleeves to cover his when he was in the EMT program

lisserluvy · Jan 6, 2015

Thanks everyone! I definitely want to follow all of the school's rules and guidelines. I think I will look into the tattoo cover up sleeves. :) I'd rather just cover it up and not even take a chance on it causing a problem.

lisserluvy · Jan 6, 2015

I definitely don't want to rock the boat. I would rather cover it up and not even ask any questions about it. :)

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jan 6, 2015

Most schools are very picky. We have girls who have small tattoos on the inside of their wrists and they have to be covered. It's only for a couple of years until you graduate and get a job. And anymore, most hospitals are more lenient on the tattoo thing. I have a cousin who has a sleeve though and she works in L&D and she has to wear a long sleeved shirt under her scrub top. It really just depends anymore, but I am sure on your first day the instructors will tell the class so you won't even have to ask.

queserasera, RN · Jan 6, 2015

Hi there! I had similar concerns with starting clinicals. My fiancÃ©e is a professional tattoo artist, and needless to say, with free tattoos at my disposal, I have become quite covered. A full sleeve on both my left arm and both legs as well as a small one behind my ear. My school is strict. No visible tattoos is the policy.

That being said, I knew early on I would have to find ways to cover them. Tattoos, at this point in time, are not considered "professional" and I strive to be as professional as possible when it comes to my career. In fact, my goal is to never let anyone at nursing school see my tattoos. period. I don't want people's closed-minded ideas about tattoos to ever affect my learning opportunities. I would hate to, for example, be working at a nursing home, and offend a patient with my choice of body art. I understand it's not everyones cup of tea.

By far the best product out there, in my opinion, is the tat2x sleeves. They are similar to tatjackets, but way more comfortable & lightweight. They cover from armpit to wrist in my case, or they also make ones that are specifically for half sleeves. They come in skin tones and colors.

I like this option more than long sleeves because I get hot and having the added weight of a long sleeve shirt didn't seem appealing to me.

Also for the tattoo behind my ear I purchased some "Amazing Cosmetics" brand concealer. It goes on thick and holds up to heat and movement if you set it with a light finishing powder. I think that is way better option for me than the band-aid one.

Good luck to you in your program. Tattooed nursing students, unite!

blah_blah_blah · Feb 6, 2015

NCCC grad here. You will have to cover any visible tattoos with a white long sleeve shirt. Only students covering tattoos are allowed to wear long sleeves under their scrub tops.

KStudentNurse70 · May 16, 2015

I'm also at NCCC, going into my 3rd semester of nursing this fall. As for clinical you do have to cover them up, they will just make you wear a long white sleeve shirt under your uniform. Best of luck to you as you start!

Cakelady1 · May 16, 2015

Just echoing everyone else. My program also requires a tattoo be covered. No piercings other than ears are allowed, either.