Tattoos and nursing

[ryanna112]

:uhoh3:I have a tattoo of a lotus flower below my collar bone and am going to school for my associates in nursing. I am worried that finding a job will be hard.

[GiantJerk]

It's under your collar bone too, so it shouldn't show right?

[JSlovex2]

To the OP: Pay no heed to the doomsayers.

Be discreet. Cover your tattoo. Wear sensible clothing.

There's a German saying that says: "Arbeit ist arbeit und Schnapps ist Schnapps" (Work means work and pleasure means pleasure). Meaning: don't mix the two...

cheers,

who is the doomsayer? the one with a tattoo on her wrist?

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

To the OP: Pay no heed to the doomsayers.

Be discreet. Cover your tattoo. Wear sensible clothing.

There's a German saying that says: "Arbeit ist arbeit und Schnapps ist Schnapps" (Work means work and pleasure means pleasure). Meaning: don't mix the two...

cheers,

[GiantJerk]

Doomsayer would be a good metal band name. I work with a bunch of nurses with tattoos... I wouldn't worry.

[Roy Fokker, BSN, RN]

When Sandra Day O'Connor, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Hillary Clinton, Kathleen Sebelius, Carly Fiorina, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Patricia Horoho and Queen Elizabeth II start sporting visible tats, I'll consider a different stance. Until then, professional women don't, period.

I just found it interesting that amongst all the women in that list, the only woman who has my respect is Ms. Patricia Horoho.

The rest are either lying politicians (who don't give a **** about guttin' the Constitution), conniving 'business CEO lady', a couple of "Supremes" who don't mind playing 'fast and loose' with the Law AND a "professional Royal" ... a blessed "Queen" no less....

Yeah. What a "list of luminaries to live up to" right there....

[ErinBSN]

Honestly, like I said I have a cross on the back of my neck, I don't view it as any different than those who wear religious necklaces. You wear your cross your way, I wear mine the way I chose. Mine is just inked in so I remember how my faith drives my career.

I actually have had some very elderly patients compliment me on it, and say it's so nice that I dont' hide my faith. They also say it's bold that i'm willing to commit to something permanent not something that comes off and goes in a jewlery box.

So i guess it depends. The lady with the jail house tattoos. Maybe they are a reminder of where she's been so she doesn't go back?

We all have tattoos whether visible or not. Some are inked into our skin, some are inked into our souls.

[mesixfuture]

I have two tattoos, both that I got after I became a nurse, they are both on my back and always covered when I go to work. I don't think they should have to be, but I made a concious decision to have them placed there because I understand that there is a stigma with them and professionalism is important to me. Now that being said I also have a tongue ring that I don't take out when I go to work, its small, not highly visible and is rarely noticed by patients and I work in a high volume ER. But my work ethic, clinical skills and nursing judgement stand out way above my tongue ring and if anybody chose not to hire me based on the tongue ring alone, they would be missing out on a great nurse.

[JSlovex2]

Honestly, like I said I have a cross on the back of my neck, I don't view it as any different than those who wear religious necklaces. You wear your cross your way, I wear mine the way I chose. Mine is just inked in so I remember how my faith drives my career.

I actually have had some very elderly patients compliment me on it, and say it's so nice that I dont' hide my faith. They also say it's bold that i'm willing to commit to something permanent not something that comes off and goes in a jewlery box.

So i guess it depends. The lady with the jail house tattoos. Maybe they are a reminder of where she's been so she doesn't go back?

We all have tattoos whether visible or not. Some are inked into our skin, some are inked into our souls.

you're exactly right. my father who isn't my biological father is the one who gave me my one and only tattoo. it's a symbol that stands for our bond and it means a lot to me. however, i know that people judge tattoos - ESPECIALLY on women and especially on "professional women" in places that are visible. for that reason, i cover mine up. it would be nice if people weren't judgemental, but until that happens (never), we have to conform.

[TrailRunnerRN, ASN, BSN, RN]

I have a celtic dog paw on my left forearm... It's part of me, but in the workplace I respect the dress code. Thankfully, I'm always cold, so putting on a long sleeve tee under my scrubs isn't an issue. I also had clinical instructors who had full tattoo sleeves, but you'd never know it.

[nep1980]

JSlovex2 are you for or against tattoos?? I can't follow your posts you seem confused??? Do you like your tattoos or regret them? I have 9 most are not visible, but my hospital is pro tattoo;)

[JSlovex2]

JSlovex2 are you for or against tattoos?? I can't follow your posts you seem confused??? Do you like your tattoos or regret them? I have 9 most are not visible, but my hospital is pro tattoo;)

nep, my tattoo has a lot of meaning for me and it did at the time that i got it. now that i'm older and have had PROFESSIONS as opposed to "jobs" i have questioned whether or not it was a good idea for the simple fact that i always have to hide it. if you're forced to hide something, what's to be proud of? it's more of a burden than anything. i'm not ashamed of what it stands for, but it sure is a ***** when i'm in the parking lot and realize i forgot my watch or bracelet. ideally, tattoos wouldn't be a big deal and it wouldn't matter, but since it DOES matter, i would have to say it would've been in my best interest not to have gotten it.

[Reno1978, BSN, RN]

I don't know what you wear to work, but I don't think I've ever exposed my collar bones. LOL