Tattoos all over!

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hi i'm a nursing student.

i have tattoos all over my arms (just about down to my wrists). do nurses have to cover up their tats while working?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

WOW, you are entering a Professional Profession, it has nothing to do with being open minded it has to do with looking professional. You wouldn't see a female laywer walking into court in a mini skirt and open middrift top. There is a time and place for things... Before you flame me, I too have tat's but take being a nurse very serious.

I am a Nursing student (graduating this year!) and like yourself i am covered in beautiful tattoos! My program and every hospital I have been at requires that i cover them, which is fine. As mature tattoo collectors we need to remember that not everybody (patients and coworkers) have the same open mind that we may have. Even though tattoos have become a bit more acceptable there is a certain stigma attached to those who chose to decorate their bodies in this way. It is not right, it is discrimination, and while you should never judge a book by its cover some folks do and that is unfortunate......
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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.
You wouldn't see a female laywer walking into court in a mini skirt and open middrift top.

Unless you've seen that episode of The Golden Girls where Stan hires a laywer he met at a bar to defend him and Dorothy from slumlord allegations ...

... sorry, couldn't resist ... :D

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tferdaise

I in no way intended to flame you! I too agreee that there is a time and a place for everything...... believe me, while none of my tattoos are offensive in anyway, i cover up out of respect for patients and all around me....I also take being a nurse very seriously, and hope that my comment above wouldn't sway anybody to think otherwise. I simply believe that having tattoos should in no way cause people to doubt ones skill in nursing. Too often i get comments from people ( as I said I cover up) saying "wow....You have alot of tattoos....you dont seem the type." I wonder what that "type" is exactly. Anyways.... I went off on a tangent again......Yes as Tattooed people we should cover up

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Progressive Tele.

Great reply...

tferdaise

I in no way intended to flame you! I too agreee that there is a time and a place for everything...... believe me, while none of my tattoos are offensive in anyway, i cover up out of respect for patients and all around me....I also take being a nurse very seriously, and hope that my comment above wouldn't sway anybody to think otherwise. I simply believe that having tattoos should in no way cause people to doubt ones skill in nursing. Too often i get comments from people ( as I said I cover up) saying "wow....You have alot of tattoos....you dont seem the type." I wonder what that "type" is exactly. Anyways.... I went off on a tangent again......Yes as Tattooed people we should cover up

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They want them covered up at my facility and during clinicals.

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praise the lord for this post, i was just about to start a new thread... i had to wear long sleeved shirts under my scrubs throughout school & while ive seen nurses with small wrist tattoos, etc- my work is fairly extensive... a band aid definitely wouldnt work in my case. ill keep you guys updated when i actually GET a job on their policy. although i think if i was working in a hospital id stay convered up so it didnt effect how i was able to do my job. unfortunately people still hold onto their opinions- ive had some people say TERRIBLE things to me re:my tattoos. apparently if you have ink, youre a scumbag, drug addict, white trash, or devil worshipper? (even though my 1/2 sleeve is butterflies and my unfinished arm is batman? lol) anyway... i think in LTC-where ill likely be working, ill cover up @ first until i develop a relationship with my patients, then not worry so much about it.

my 2cents :)

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First of all, I won't even pretend to try to understand a person's motivation to get an image permanently inked on their skin. I'm not against tattoos, I just don't "get it." That being said, a lot of them I have seen on people are beautiful or fascinating, or both.

I think the healthcare field probably needs to become a little more progressive on this issue. If some nurse has a tattoo of a butterfly on her forearm, or a tattoo of a military branch of service on his arm what's the big deal?

I can see needing to have some sort of line drawn in the sand to address things such as skulls, marijuana leaves, or other things that might be offensive. Obvioiusly that sort of stuff is not appropriate in the healthcare setting.

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Specializes in Psych.

Genuinely curious here, but how are skulls offensive?

BTW, I'm a heavily tattooed female psych nurse. I generally keep my ink covered, mostly because it's easy enough to do, but mostly I have gotten positive reactions when people DO see my tattoos. With younger people, it often serves as a connection.

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Specializes in jack of all trades.
First of all, I won't even pretend to try to understand a person's motivation to get an image permanently inked on their skin. I'm not against tattoos, I just don't "get it." That being said, a lot of them I have seen on people are beautiful or fascinating, or both.

I think the healthcare field probably needs to become a little more progressive on this issue. If some nurse has a tattoo of a butterfly on her forearm, or a tattoo of a military branch of service on his arm what's the big deal?

I can see needing to have some sort of line drawn in the sand to address things such as skulls, marijuana leaves, or other things that might be offensive. Obvioiusly that sort of stuff is not appropriate in the healthcare setting.

As far as people's motivation, everyone of my tats have personal meaning to me in relation to experiences in my lifetime, also my faith and spirituality. They are permanent reminders of what I have lived, endured, overcome and loved. I dont do it for the aesthetics beleive me lol. My artist is just that an "artist" and he is also a quite renowned portrait artist who has painted for presidents, dignitaries, and well known (famous) atheletes. I am fortunate he also can use a tattoo machine!!! Rather than on a canvas or mural it's my skin. I have something no one can reproduce or transfer ownership. It is mine and mine alone. I have seen his art in magazines, airports and galleries so find myself fortunate to have his talent and experience on my skin. It's not like I'm in my 20's again and just picking something off the shop wall to fit in with my buddies. I'm 53, female and a vietnam era veteran. I know what I want to do when I grow up so to speak LOL. Yes I do cover my visible ink when working but I dont hesitate to show them when asked to do so. Many people ask me the story behind a particular piece and some are very personal but some find they understand more about me when they hear the reason behind each. I have "memorial" ink also related to my late father and also 2 celebrating the life of my 2 sons. I'm not expecting people to understand the motivation but to respect it.

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When my kids first mentioned getting tats I told them to picture "Nana" with tats. Everyone of them cringed and retched! LOL! Unfortunately, that didn't stop them from getting inked anyway.

My DD took 2 trips through the sandbox and I would bet you this....not ONE soldier would have given two twits that she had 5 tats....she was "doc" (combat medic) and when you are injured you don't a rats orifice whether or not your 'savior' is inked!

I have to wonder how many of the judgmental leadership had long hair, tie-dyed shirts, elephant bell pants and listened to that sinful "rock" music that came out in the 50's!?!?!?!

BTW....not too long ago nurses has to "be professional" and wear starched WHITE dresses, white stockings, polished white shoes and that cut lil' 'ol nurses "hat".....and then we got realistic! We have already redefined what is "professional".

Just my :twocents:

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I have a flag of Amsterdam on my upper arm, that barely peeks from under my scrub sleeve. Nobody has said anything about it in regards to a professional appearance. I can say I look professional and set a good example by maintaining a healthy/fit weight. How can anyone take me seriously if I don't practice what I preach?

I would laugh if someone preached biblical scripture to me. Yes, the bible might frown on the subject, but doesn't it also frown upon judgmental attitudes?

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I have a flag of Amsterdam on my upper arm, that barely peeks from under my scrub sleeve. Nobody has said anything about it in regards to a professional appearance. I can say I look professional and set a good example by maintaining a healthy/fit weight. How can anyone take me seriously if I don't practice what I preach?

I would laugh if someone preached biblical scripture to me. Yes, the bible might frown on the subject, but doesn't it also frown upon judgmental attitudes?

:coollook: Did you ever notice how many of those judgmental folks are obese? Didn't the bible preach on gluttony?

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