Tattoos in Nursing

Published

What do you think about Nurses with tattoos?

Do you have tattoos?

Should tattoos be shown during work as a Nurse?

There is no right or wrong answers. Thank you.

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

OK, I am going to reopen this thread. Many posts have been deleted for totally de-railing the thread. Please keep to topic. Further posts on Dr Who and discussing the various doctors and companions will be moved to the 'Blue' side

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/181021900/ivory-round-antique-bronze-wrap-watch

My first tattoo is a rather bold wrist tattoo. (Go big, or go home, right?) It isn't supposed to be visible at work, so I bought this watch off etsy.

Administration doesn't like tattoos, but it is a rare patient on my unit who doesn't have one. I find having it, and discussing tattoos with my patients is helpful when building rapport and trust. Obviously, trust is important with all patients, but I have found with suicidal, paranoid, or psychotic patients it can be more difficult to earn that trust.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
OK, I am going to reopen this thread. Many posts have been deleted for totally de-railing the thread. Please keep to topic. Further posts on Dr Who and discussing the various doctors and companions will be moved to the 'Blue' side

Thank you. I did manage to figure out how to use the Blue Side and am happily using it re: Doctor Who.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
https://www.etsy.com/listing/181021900/ivory-round-antique-bronze-wrap-watch

My first tattoo is a rather bold wrist tattoo. (Go big, or go home, right?) It isn't supposed to be visible at work, so I bought this watch off etsy.

Administration doesn't like tattoos, but it is a rare patient on my unit who doesn't have one. I find having it, and discussing tattoos with my patients is helpful when building rapport and trust. Obviously, trust is important with all patients, but I have found with suicidal, paranoid, or psychotic patients it can be more difficult to earn that trust.

Love the watch. And I love wrist tats.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/181021900/ivory-round-antique-bronze-wrap-watch

My first tattoo is a rather bold wrist tattoo. (Go big, or go home, right?) It isn't supposed to be visible at work, so I bought this watch off etsy.

Administration doesn't like tattoos, but it is a rare patient on my unit who doesn't have one. I find having it, and discussing tattoos with my patients is helpful when building rapport and trust. Obviously, trust is important with all patients, but I have found with suicidal, paranoid, or psychotic patients it can be more difficult to earn that trust.

Interesting watch, but doesn't it get soggy when you wash your hands?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
OK, I am going to reopen this thread...

Why?? This thread was CTD when ActualNurse came in and euthanized it.

Anyway, here's my take on tats. I don't care if nurses have tats, but I don't like them on strippers.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I think having a tattoo is a non-issue in relation to providing good and safe patient care. Having a tattoo is not an indication of your professionalism or your morality/ethics in nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.
Interesting watch, but doesn't it get soggy when you wash your hands?

No, because it's really stretchy. I can take it off easily, or push it up my arm. It's one long loop of stretchy fabric that wraps around the wrist until it's comfortable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.
Ok, this thread is about tattoos in nursing, not how posters perceive their feelings are hurt because people don't agree with them.

Now, on topic. I've seen some beautiful ink, and I've seen some that made me wonder "WHAT were you thinking??"

I'm officially a COB (36 years in, just turned 59 this month). Tats don't really bother me, I have flirted with getting one for 20 years. Now I'm wondering if I'm too old, or if I should just go ahead and get it done already.

Go ahead and get it done, I did just before I turned 59 this year.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice.
No, because it's really stretchy. I can take it off easily, or push it up my arm. It's one long loop of stretchy fabric that wraps around the wrist until it's comfortable.

Very interesting, thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
https://www.etsy.com/listing/181021900/ivory-round-antique-bronze-wrap-watch

My first tattoo is a rather bold wrist tattoo. (Go big, or go home, right?) It isn't supposed to be visible at work, so I bought this watch off etsy.

Administration doesn't like tattoos, but it is a rare patient on my unit who doesn't have one. I find having it, and discussing tattoos with my patients is helpful when building rapport and trust. Obviously, trust is important with all patients, but I have found with suicidal, paranoid, or psychotic patients it can be more difficult to earn that trust.

Love the watch-but it doesn't seem like a good idea if you are in a patient care area. It will be collecting germs, seen and unseen, and when you push it up to wash, the germs are just following the watch.

I'd rather just see the tattoo. Granted this doesn't solve the problem of tats being required to be unseen for you :(

I wonder if it'd be a good project for you to submit for your unit :) How it can be used to build rapport with your patient population. Win win.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Love the watch. And I love wrist tats.

Right on. Totally agree with you. I have been a patient with a caregiver with bold tattoos. And it is a conversation piece. What I learned about my caregiver was that he was a caring, competent individual who just happened to have some awesome body art. He shared me with his journey to the tattoo and the meaning it has for him.

I have also had other caregivers who told me the same thing. It seems getting a tattoo is a well-thought decision and the choice of designs usually carries great meaning for the individual.

I personally would never get one unless it is a transient henna tattoo. But I fully support those who chose to get them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion