Tattoos and nursing

[PrincessJessica]

Ok so I have a question. I am going to be starting school soon to be a LPN. My question is I have a pretty good sized tattoo on my left wrist. It isnt offensive, its very pretty. It is a dragonfly. Do you all think I will have problems with employment and people taking me seriously after school is done. I want honest opinions. I will not get offended by anyhting any of you have to say. I am just trying to get all info I can. Thank You!

[Cherish]

Wow. 1st, I'd like to see the research proving that which I bolded--I call BS. Same with the city fire fighter faux "swim test"-every single nyc fire fighter I've ever known (all 16 or so of them) has had at least one tattoo-either the badge with the ladder number, or something fire-fighting related, or related to their wife/kids (name on a rose, tatted baby footprint or portrait, etc).

2nd, it is not a legitimate fear Re: Hep C, because all tattoo parlors are required to use new needles and sterilized equipment, so the risk is actually extremely low.

3rd, you can fish slap people all you want, but I have a visible tattoo and I've been offered leadership positions (turned them down) and have been accepted into Midwifery School. I've already exceeded my expected potential. An ER nurse where I work is covered in tats and recently won employee of the month. He's often the charge nurse.

4th, Your advice to lie about or hide my tattoos? Thanks but no thanks. And I plan on adding to my collection.

:yeahthat:

[classy gal]

Wow. 1st, I'd like to see the research proving that which I bolded--I call BS. Same with the city fire fighter faux "swim test"-every single nyc fire fighter I've ever known (all 16 or so of them) has had at least one tattoo-either the badge with the ladder number, or something fire-fighting related, or related to their wife/kids (name on a rose, tatted baby footprint or portrait, etc).

2nd, it is not a legitimate fear Re: Hep C, because all tattoo parlors are required to use new needles and sterilized equipment, so the risk is actually extremely low.

3rd, you can fish slap people all you want, but I have a visible tattoo and I've been offered leadership positions (turned them down) and have been accepted into Midwifery School. I've already exceeded my expected potential. An ER nurse where I work is covered in tats and recently won employee of the month. He's often the charge nurse.

4th, Your advice to lie about or hide my tattoos? Thanks but no thanks. And I plan on adding to my collection.

Ok lets try this, As I want to warn prospective nursing students against getting tattoos(expecialy on their hand/arms). Let me retort.

1st. Perhaps NYC does allow tattoos, but many do not. Why make your self less valuable and limit your arena of employability just because you like 'body art'.

2nd. Tell that to popular media star pamela anderson. She contracted HEP C from an reputable tattoo parlor in Hollywood. It is so prevalent that you can not even donate blood for 6 months after a tattoo. Not so extremely low as you suggest as there are known statistics against your argument.

3rd. There are many professional positions in life in which a visible tattoo will precluded you from holding. Why limit yourself for the sake of 'body art'? Surely CNAs and janitorial services are riddled with tattoos. Why make like harder for yourself?

You can live in your own world, believing that modern tattoos are the mark of a free spirit and good employee. But the fact is there are legit reasons for discriminating against tattoos. Even the courts back the tattoo discrimination position.

[classy gal]

For first responders, your employer can require you to list ALL scars or tattoos. It is a felony to lie. Often times for fire fighters they use a polygraph during the interview. In the extreme case of some city fire fighters they have a "swim test" where the point is not to test your swimming ability but to see if you have a disqualifying tattoo.

If i know about 'tattoo swim tests' then it is more common that you would think. I have a nephew who was disqualified to be city fire fighter during a pre-interview. They asked with-out a polygraph if he had ever smoked marijuana. Knowing that in the real interview later they would use a polygraph, so he admitted that in high school and in college (he has a B.S.) to trying marijuana. They told him that he was permanently excluded from employment in their city.

I would imagine that everyone wants their best chance to excel. Why would you limit yourself by doing something that could preclude you from lifetime employment?

Please who ever reads this.....

DON'T GET ANY VISIBLE TATTOOS. And that I mean no NECK / HAND / LOWER ARM TATTOOS. You WILL experience discrimination. And it is legal to do so.

[KellNY, RN]

1st. Perhaps NYC does allow tattoos, but many do not. Why make your self less valuable and limit your arena of employability just because you like 'body art'.

I have no idea about NYC as I've never worked there.

2nd. Tell that to popular media star pamela anderson. She contracted HEP C from an reputable tattoo parlor in Hollywood. It is so prevalent that you can not even donate blood for 6 months after a tattoo. Not so extremely low as you suggest as there are known statistics against your argument.

I'd rather tell it to the millions of others who don't contract hepatitis. And there really isn't much proof as to where Pamela Anderson contracted her Hep-could have been from unprotected sex or a number of other things. And not once did I say that it never happens--I'm not debating that it does (but rarely) so there haven't been any "known statistics" brought against my argument yet.

3rd. There are many professional positions in life in which a visible tattoo will precluded you from holding. Why limit yourself for the sake of 'body art'? Surely CNAs and janitorial services are riddled with tattoos. Why make like harder for yourself?

Yes...that's why they're janitors...because they have tattoos.

You can live in your own world, believing that modern tattoos are the mark of a free spirit and good employee.

The mark of a good employee? No. I never said that-that's just silly. My positive evaluations, job offers and satified patients are my mark. My tattoos don't prove or disprove my value as a registered nurse. They are just ink under my skin.

[KellNY, RN]

If anyone is interested in FACTS instead of scare tactics, the most recent CDC report states

About hepatitis: Of the 13,387 annual cases of hepatitis detailed in the most recent CDC report, 12 are associated with tattoo studios. By comparison, 43 cases -- or better than 300% more -- are associated with dental offices [2].

This can be found on www.cdc.gov

I think we can all agree that the CDC is a pretty reputable organization. 12 out of 13,387. What is that roughly.... 0.09%--a little less than that, actually? I'd say the risk is pretty low.

[MOOSEMAN]

As a prior mgr. If your not able to cover up your tattoo while at work. You won't be hired. It's not you who determines what is offensive, it's your co-workers and future pts.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

this just gives me more reason to get my favorite saying tattooed somewhere ....the "f" word followed by off

if i know about 'tattoo swim tests' then it is more common that you would think. i have a nephew who was disqualified to be city fire fighter during a pre-interview. they asked with-out a polygraph if he had ever smoked marijuana. knowing that in the real interview later they would use a polygraph, so he admitted that in high school and in college (he has a b.s.) to trying marijuana. they told him that he was permanently excluded from employment in their city.

i would imagine that everyone wants their best chance to excel. why would you limit yourself by doing something that could preclude you from lifetime employment?

please who ever reads this.....

don't get any visible tattoos. and that i mean no neck / hand / lower arm tattoos. you will experience discrimination. and it is legal to do so.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i disagree ...if you have a tattoo and its covered ....big deal. the kind of work i do i assure you they only care if you have a nursing license ...

i am viewed as a social deviant already and i don't have any tattoos yet...but it's only because i haven't got the right tattoo plan yet. so when i do get them i guess i am automatically a criminal!!! my husband got all his tattoos in jail/prison...i love my bad boy, he is an engineer. my best friend works for the dept of corrections..carries a big gun, rides a harley and has about 10 tattoos...

if i have them i ain't lying about them either... if ya don't want me cause of my nursing skills and intelligence then i'll just move on.... there are to many nurses needed to petty crap like this to get in the way...

as an experienced professional i want to give a warning against getting or showing any tattoos.

it is 100% legal to discriminate against people with tattoos. currently there are lawsuits in the works in the area of religious tattoos but so far the courts have not overruled previous decisions.

for first responders, your employer can require you to list all scars or tattoos. it is a felony to lie. often times for fire fighters they use a polygraph during the interview. in the extreme case of some city fire fighters they have a "swim test" where the point is not to test your swimming ability but to see if you have a disqualifying tattoo.

having a tattoo is more than a form of self expression, their meanings go back much longer. the word "stigma" has the latin base of tattoo or to permanently stain. only slaves or known criminals had tattoos and where given tattoos against their will. in todays society a majority of people do associate tattoos with criminal behavior and social deviance. it is a legitimate fear of a patient of contracting hep c from a worker.

having a visible tattoo can and will probably preclude you from achieving your potential as far as you career goes. so to all you in the lower echelons of nursing with visible arm/neck tattoos who dream of achieving more:trout:.

my advice is to not get any. if you all ready have them, hide them and lie about them.

[Feathers]

I'll be starting LPN classes later this year & I have 6 tats (1 on each shoulder blade, lower back, pelvic/hip area, ankle & foot), all can be 'hidden' so I am not worried.

Regarding piercings: I used to have my tongue & eyebrow done (both are long gone now) about 5-6 years when I was looking for customer service work, I interviewed at a place & had the job on lock. I only needed to come back and speak with the big manager. I forgot to take my tongue piercing out, I had it for so long, I'd forget about it.

Well, I didn't get the job. The agency that sent me in there was able to confirm that it was because of my piercing. I felt horrible-but also felt that if he was so judgemental, I did not want to work for him either. Even the panel of 3 that I had first interviewed with tried to change his decision, he said he had 3 young daughters (1 about my age) & couldn't imagine...

Just wanted to share my experience w/anyone who maybe be thinking it won't affect their chances. Not everyone is so open minded.

[prettyrio]

4 me having a tattoo is d way of expressing the feeling of certain individual! It's fine 2 have a tattoo but be careful on the circumstances of it like having hepa-b/AIDS...

I don't have tattoo but 4 those hu hv it!!!YOU ROCK...

[kimmie518]

As an experienced professional I want to give a warning against getting or showing any tattoos.

It is 100% legal to discriminate against people with tattoos. Currently there are lawsuits in the works in the area of religious tattoos but so far the courts have not overruled previous decisions.

For first responders, your employer can require you to list ALL scars or tattoos. It is a felony to lie. Often times for fire fighters they use a polygraph during the interview. In the extreme case of some city fire fighters they have a "swim test" where the point is not to test your swimming ability but to see if you have a disqualifying tattoo.

Having a tattoo is more than a form of self expression, their meanings go back much longer. The word "stigma" has the Latin base of tattoo or to permanently stain. Only slaves or known criminals had tattoos and where given tattoos against their will. In todays society a majority of people do associate tattoos with criminal behavior and social deviance. It is a legitimate fear of a patient of contracting hep C from a worker.

Having a visible tattoo can and will probably preclude you from achieving your potential as far as you career goes. So to all you in the lower echelons of nursing with visible arm/neck tattoos who dream of achieving more:trout:.

My advice is to not get any. If you all ready have them, hide them and lie about them.

Wow, just wow. I think you need to do this :trout: to yourself.

Since you are an "experience professional" I was hoping that your argument would have some validity towards it, but it doesn't. All it has is a bunch of biased words in the midst of an air of superiority.

I highly doubt that a patient is concerned about contracting Hep C from their health care worker. I highly doubt that it even crosses their minds. The comment about tattoo's being associated with criminals is outdated, as well as it being socially deviant.

I personally have a visible arm tattoo and I've done pretty well for myself and will continue to do so.

And I think it's completely ignorant to think that it's wrong to have tattoo's, but it's okay to lie. Now what shows more of a persons character?

[classy gal]

Wow, just wow. I think you need to do this :trout: to yourself.

Since you are an "experience professional" I was hoping that your argument would have some validity towards it, but it doesn't. All it has is a bunch of biased words in the midst of an air of superiority.

I highly doubt that a patient is concerned about contracting Hep C from their health care worker. I highly doubt that it even crosses their minds. The comment about tattoo's being associated with criminals is outdated, as well as it being socially deviant.

I personally have a visible arm tattoo and I've done pretty well for myself and will continue to do so.

And I think it's completely ignorant to think that it's wrong to have tattoo's, but it's okay to lie. Now what shows more of a persons character?

There is a strong legal basis for discriminating against the tattooed, especially if the employers fears that having tattooed employees might hurt their professional image:

In the landmark court case

Pik-Wik Stores, Inc. v. CHRO

, the Connecticut Supreme Court established the standard for reviewing dress codes under the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act.

In Pik-Wik, an employee complained about a grooming standard that required men to wear their hair "off the collar and above the ears." The employee argued that the policy discriminated against him on the basis of gender because women were not subject to the same standard. The court rejected the argument concluding that the grooming standard was non-discriminatory because it did not deny equal employment opportunities on the basis of an immutable characteristic, e.g., sex, race, national origin, disability or religion.

This Kentucky case verified that employers can fire employees who have exposed tattoos:

A dress code that required tucked-in shirts and covered tattoos for Kentucky State Parks employees did not violate the civil rights of three fired maintenance workers, a federal appeals court ruled.

However, regardless of the legalities and rights of people to look like a convict, many states have "at will" laws. These statutes allow you to quit at any time, for any reason, and fives allows corporations to fire employees at any time, for any reason, or no reason at all.