Tattoos and nursing

soontobe_RN · May 13, 2005

I have also done research on this topic. I have 4 tattoos and I am in school to be a RN. All my tattoos are in places that are convered by my scrubs. 3 are butterflies, one on my breast, above my belly button and the biggest is on my lower back. Yes, I do have a thing with butterflies. The other is my initials on my ankle. When my school sent out the information about our clinicals, they included info. on all this type of stuff. Now , my college is very stricted when it comes to do with saftey and presentation. For example, I can not where any rings except my wedding band, only ear-rings in one sent of holes, no necklaces, no nail pollish except clear, no fake nails, no visible body peircing, tattoos, hair is to be worn up, ect. For a long time I have wanted to get a tatto on the back of my neck, but b/c I want to be a nurse, I know that I can't. Of course, if I can find a way to get the tattoo and be able to cover it up, I will. I don't have any body peircings, anymore. Ever since I had my first son, I took them all (eyebrow ring, which I wish I never got the first place, and tongue ring) out.

My suggestion would be to find out what your schools policy is. You can also see what the policies are at the places you want to work. Some places are more strict than others on this topic.

Good Luck,

Jennifer

crjnursewarrior · May 13, 2005

I wasn't even allowed to wear my engagement ring. No necklace, no rings, and minimal make-up. I had to have my hair up and not touching my shoulders. Hopefully your school isn't like a military institution like mine.

My school was the same way...no jewelry, hair up, no elaborate makeup or painted nails. In fact the school I attended has been nicknamed "the bootcamp of nursing"!!One girl had a tattoo on her hand, though, it extended from her index finger down to thumb, there was no way to cover it up, so they really didn't give her too much grief about that, since there was no way to cover it. One girl did get her eyebrow pierced while in school, and they made her cover it with a bandaid while in clinical. Couple girls had tongues pierced, but they were discreet with them and teachers really never knew they had them. So, that, I think is part of it, if you don't make a big issue of it, they probably won't either. :)

jdkaos · May 13, 2005

I have 1 tattoo and 11 piercings and have no plans to get rid of any of them for school. However,I don't know the policy at my school for ear rings but I'm not going to be happy if I have to take out my helix, rook, and my BRAND NEW CONCH, which will close up. I'll remove them for school if I have to but I wont like it!:angryfire

I am with you on that!!!! Just watch the policies, I had to take out my cartilage and put in a retainer at work. Funny how they don't notice my daith, the worst part about that one is that I sometimes hook it on steph. I plan on getting more, someday. Right now I am focusing on getting my ink done. Gone are the days of judging because of tattoos :balloons:

Antikigirl, ASN, RN · May 13, 2005

Tats and piercings (ear has several, belly ring too) here too..and I am 35! Mine are easily hidden from view, and people are shocked when I tell them I have them. I don't wear anything but one set of earrings in my ear if that (well clothes of course..LOL!), and I wear the smaller of my belly rings so they don't get caught up in my scrubs.

But let me loose from work..they all go back in :)!

Most of the staff have piercings and tattoos, you have to hide facial piercings (not ear, but only one set), and if you have wrist tats..you have to at least try to cover them (up to managment if you suceeded though..LOL!). No non natural color hair dyes...but red is natural isn't it..LOL! (we have a few gals (wait staff not nursing or CNA) dye it black and blonde...looks like a skunk really, but funny as heck...they are natural colors! LOL!).

safewaygreenbox · May 14, 2005

Looks like a skunk hey - cool to brighten the day up - where do you work? I love it when people don't look 'convential' probably cos thats how I want to look but carn't seem to do it :chuckle

Kay the 2nd :)

Tats and piercings (ear has several, belly ring too) here too..and I am 35! Mine are easily hidden from view, and people are shocked when I tell them I have them. I don't wear anything but one set of earrings in my ear if that (well clothes of course..LOL!), and I wear the smaller of my belly rings so they don't get caught up in my scrubs.
But let me loose from work..they all go back in :)!
Most of the staff have piercings and tattoos, you have to hide facial piercings (not ear, but only one set), and if you have wrist tats..you have to at least try to cover them (up to managment if you suceeded though..LOL!). No non natural color hair dyes...but red is natural isn't it..LOL! (we have a few gals (wait staff not nursing or CNA) dye it black and blonde...looks like a skunk really, but funny as heck...they are natural colors! LOL!).

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jun 16, 2005

I have 5 myself, all covered up though. I do not want to run the risk of having my feelings hurt or anyones comments, so no one even knows I have them.

Jessica

Chaoticdreams33, MSN, RN · Jun 26, 2005

I'm starting nursing school this fall and I have a five inch circular black tattoo on my forearm, any suggestions on covering it up? long sleeves are always an option, but it seems like it would be so hot to wear them all the time.

Abbys, RN · Jun 26, 2005

. . . . . . Right now I am focusing on getting my ink done. Gone are the days of judging because of tattoos :balloons:

:eek:

Many of my patients and their family members would have to disagree with you on that point. Many of them find it frightening. Others, just plain disrespectful and unprofessional.

Chaoticdreams33, MSN, RN · Jun 26, 2005

while tattoos are much more mainstream than they have been in the past, i hardly think that people don't judge others by them. And even though I love my tattoos, i do think that it is rather unprofessional for them to be showing. I got this huge one on my forearm as soon as I turned 18 and i love it to death, i think it's beautiful, but i do wish that I had gotten it in an easier to conceal place...

Roy Fokker, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2005

If you check out my gallery, I have my big *** tattoo posted.

I plan on getting four more

nickola · Jul 12, 2005

Many of my patients and their family members would have to disagree with you on that point. Many of them find it frightening. Others, just plain disrespectful and unprofessional.

although IMO tatoos/piercings are personal choices, many patients find them unsanitary looking. I have had several people tell me that they don't like to see their healthcare providers sporting nose studs b/c they think they harbor bacteria- as for tatoos, I don't see the problem, other than several pts have told me they thought their nurse looked "dirty & unwashed". I have never worked in a facility that ALLOWED visible tatoos or facial piercings until NOW- and even our director of nursing has a nose stud- which I might add looks disgusting. I do think there is a limit to what you can do to your body & still look professional. I have found that some people find it appalling & unsanitary, even unprofessional looking- depending on the demographics of the area you work in. I think you have to consider the image you portray, and the last hospital I worked at considered your overall neatness/appearance when yearly evals came up.

pie123 · Jul 12, 2005

I have 14 piercings and 2 tattoos and have no plans of getting rid of any of them. I just had my nose pierced and all comments from staff and patients have been positive, they think it is cute. I love it when patients ask me how many holes I have in my head. One of my tattoos is on the back of my neck and visible. I have never heard any negatives about it either. I like being different and unique, and it doesn't mean I am a bad nurse or your a bad nurse. Don't let anyone tell you different. :chuckle

I agree with you! I have 10 tattoos & 2 piercings--one in the tragus & of course, the belly button. My tattoos can all be concealed, except one on my neck, which is a flower. My only regret is that I didn't go to someone who could have done a better job.