Tattoos in Nursing

Dranger · Oct 22, 2015

I don't have tattoos nor do I have any desire to get any. Enough years in the military has really scarred me. There are some REALLY bad ones and the majority of folks in the service have them.

That being said I really don't care if a nurse has a tattoo or not. It's a non-factor.

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Oct 22, 2015

I have one on my wrist. It can be covered by a watch or not. At work, I have no problem with people seeing it and my residents don't care. My coworkers lover it. It is a teal ribbon representing ovarian cancer and overplayed with the semicolon for depression, both which I have dealt with. I know I surprised a lot of people with it at my age, but have only received favorable comments.

Personally, I don't like sleeves and neck ones. But that is my opinion.

lavenderskies, BSN · Oct 23, 2015

Chiandre said

What do you think about Nurses with tattoos?*
Do you have tattoos?*
Should tattoos be shown during work as a Nurse?

I don't think anything about Nurses with tattoos

I don't have any, mostly because I have a hard time committing to anyone thing and I haven't found one that I feel could last the test of time.

I feel they're ok in the workplace as long as they aren't offensive.

I do think that people that enter nursing with them or decide to get them need to realize that they may come across patients or family that have judgement about them even though that's getting better.

I know after having been out of nursing for a long while and reentering I was concerned enough about being taken seriously that I changed my hair. I cut my dreadlocks off

nlitened · Oct 23, 2015

Because to many people, tattoos, piercings and crazy hair colors are still seen as unprofessional and are likely to be discriminated for it.
I have very short, unnaturally blonde hair and am aware that I may be judged for it especially because of my skin color (being non-white). I plan on keeping my hair like this so I'd rather not be judged even more by having visible tattoos and piercings :)

People are going to judge whether I have tattoos or no tattoos, brown hair or bright red hair, etc. The poor PP cut off their dreads:no: all because it may be perceived as "unprofessional". Come on! Do you and rock that blonde hair! There will always be people out there trying to redefine their opinion of what is appropriate or not. Thankfully I live in an area where tattoos and alternative looks are accepted.

I just don't agree that tattoos=unprofessional.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Oct 23, 2015

Thankfully I live in an area where tattoos and alternative looks are accepted.
I just don't agree that tattoos=unprofessional.

I do too! And I agree with you (unless they're face or neck tattoos- that's not the most professional thing), but I think living in northern Minnesota for a year scarred me because I was exposed to closed minds and the idea of traditionalism. I remember being so scared to start working at the nursing home there because I wasn't sure how the the elderly and coworkers would view my hair and I guess I want to have a good first impression. I don't know, it can be complicated

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Oct 23, 2015

This? Again?

Farawyn · Oct 23, 2015

I have one on my wrist. It can be covered by a watch or not. At work, I have no problem with people seeing it and my residents don't care. My coworkers lover it. It is a teal ribbon representing ovarian cancer and overplayed with the semicolon for depression, both which I have dealt with. I know I surprised a lot of people with it at my age, but have only received favorable comments.
Personally, I don't like sleeves and neck ones. But that is my opinion.

I love wrist tats. I think they look very tender.

Happy you are here to tell the tale of both your illnesses.

Farawyn · Oct 23, 2015

This? Again?

MY only thought when I see a thread like this is...this is not cutting edge anymore. Get your tats.

lavenderskies, BSN · Oct 23, 2015

nlitened said

People are going to judge whether I have tattoos or no tattoos, brown hair or bright red hair, etc. The poor PP cut off their dreads*all because it may be perceived as "unprofessional". Come on! Do you and rock that blonde hair! There will always be people out there trying to redefine their opinion of what is appropriate or not. Thankfully I live in an area where tattoos and alternative looks are accepted.
I just don't agree that tattoos=unprofessional.

Well to be honest I was more concerned about potential employers than patients.

LovelyLocs, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2015

Chiandre said
I don't think anything about Nurses with tattoos
I don't have any, mostly because I have a hard time committing to anyone thing and I haven't found one that I feel could last the test of time.
I feel they're ok in the workplace as long as they aren't offensive.
I do think that people that enter nursing with them or decide to get them need to realize that they may come across patients or family that have judgement about them even though that's getting better.
I know after having been out of nursing for a long while and reentering I was concerned enough about being taken seriously that I changed my hair. I cut my dreadlocks off

:cry:

LovelyLocs, ASN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2015

nlitened said
Well to be honest I was more concerned about potential employers than patients.

This is why I have passed on the idea of free-forming (that, and I enjoy my monthly pampering/re-twist at a salon :smokin: ). As lovely as the hair looks, it takes AWHILE to get there. I am not going to miss out on nursing school and eventual job searching because my locs haven't fully formed. I have tried getting my hair to cooperate before it started to loc... big fail :facepalm: .

lavenderskies, BSN · Oct 23, 2015

Lovelylocs said

This is why I have passed on the idea of free-forming (that, and I enjoy my monthly pampering/re-twist at a salon*). As lovely as the hair looks, it takes AWHILE to get there. I am not going to miss out on nursing school and eventual job searching because my locs haven't fully formed. I have tried getting my hair to cooperate before it started to loc... big fail*.

Mine were waist length and going on 4 years. It's ok....they'll grow back :yes: I hear you though. I did all my own maint. and missed my salon time---glad you have a place to go.:)