Tattoos and piercings

soon2bRN516 · Dec 22, 2008

I know at my school they are not really that concerned with earrings but you can only have

to be one set and only studs. The nose ring is a no no, but not just because of the patients

being offended, its due to hospital policy and school policy....The tattoo, it really just depends on

the size of it, they may ask you to where a long white shirt under your scrubs or a bandaide

but as far as I know I don't think anyone has really had to cover their tattoos.....Good luck to you.

smartin13 · Dec 22, 2008

For clinicals we are only allowed to have one earing in each ear, and only a stud. No other piercings are allowed. Tattoos are not allowed they have to be covered up, shirts, bandages, large watch bands whatever it takes. From what I have heard some schools are more strict others are less, so check up with your school.

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Dec 22, 2008

I've read about this issues here on the boards (about having to cover up visible tatts)...and I was just wondering what the rationale was behind this?

My tatt is easily covered by my clothing, but it would be a real bummer for me to have to cover it if it were not.

AmericanRN · Dec 23, 2008

It depends on the school's policy and what hospitals they are working with and what those policies are.

In my school no eyebrow rings on the clinical floors, nose piercings must be a small stud (no rings) just like ear piercings must be studs. Tongue piercings cannot have a color or be metal, that is the only piercing that they require a clear, acrylic type thing be used.

If there is a visible tattoo that the scrubs can't cover then it's just ignored because the hospitals we are at are allowing it. 90% of my class is either pierced or tattooed somewhere and we have a number of people w/neck tattoos that can't be covered easily.

For lecture end portion any & all body jewelry is okay.

NSALVADORE · Dec 23, 2008

My school doesn't have us cover our tattoos. They do however have a rule about having any visible body piercings taken out and only one pair of stud earrings in our ears.

lsm332 · Dec 23, 2008

i have a tattoo on my wrist, and i have pretty much always worn long sleeves to my clinicals.

as far as the nostril piercing, i had one too and switched it out to a clear glass retainer for clinicals..if that isn't acceptable to your clinical instructors, you're just going to have to deal with it and get it pierced when you're done nursing school.

Diary/Dairy, RN · Dec 23, 2008

Every place I have been employed as a nurse has had a dress policy that tattoos must be covered while at work... for professionalism... (you never see a tattooed accountant or executive, right?) I did not have them in school though.... I would ask your instructors what they want you to do.

sbostonRN · Dec 23, 2008

I had a tragus ring before nursing school, and my instructor told me I couldn't wear it to clinical. For a week or two, I took it out and put it back in each day, but I got sick of it really fast, and eventually let it close up. It was sad to let it go, since I've had it since the day I turned 18, but being a nurse is more important to me.

Hopefully you won't have any issues. Good Luck!

melmarie23, MSN, RN · Dec 23, 2008

We are not allowed to wear long sleeves under our scrub tops. But we did have the option of purchasing a lab coat that has long sleeves and could be worn so I guess that will work for those encountering this problem.

sailornurse · Dec 23, 2008

At the school I teach at we follow the policies of the hospitals that our students go to, since we are there as "guests". No facial piercings, nose piercings have to be removed, only 2 small studs in earlobes, no tongue piercings. All tatts must be covered, either with long sleeves. Neck and other facial tatts must be covered with fleshtone makeup or bandaids.

lovehospital · Dec 23, 2008

Hey guys,
I'm about to start taking my prereqs for NS, and I was just wondering how tattoos and piercings are dealt with in nursing school and on the job.
I have a small tattoo on the inside of my left wrist, and I have a small nose stud. Both are very tasteful and not at all "in your face". (I also have my ears pierced, just one hole in each lobe.. I figure those are typical enough these days that as long as you're not wearing crazy big hoop earrings or dangly ones, it's fine to wear small ones there). Other than those, really, I'm your everyday typical girl next door.
Now, the tattoo I can see myself covering up with a wide bandaid. (Although I don't want my patients thinking I recently attempted suicide....) The nose piercing though.... It's not the kind of nose piercing that you can just take out yourself. I would have to go and have it professionally removed, and, if I wanted to get it back in, I'd have to go and have it professionally put in. Again. I *really* like my nose piercing, I feel as though it's a part of me, and I don't feel like it's offensive or a health risk. Obviously if my nursing school or job requires me to remove it, I will... I'm not *that* much of a stickler. But still.... =(
Just wondering how jobs, and nursing schools in particular deal with this kind of thing. Any stories? Thanks in advance =)

There is a girl in my group who has a small tattoo on the inside of her wrist,it is hardly visible yet it can be noticed and I haven't seen her getting in trouble with the teacher,I dont think they care but each school is different and so are instructors...