Tattoos!

[mmbucklerky]

Just wondering how common Tattoos are in the nursing field. Random- I know. :)

[Purple_roses]

I have 6. They have to be covered during clinicals and some lab teachers want them covered as well.

Awe even lab? No fun.

[Farawyn]

Everyone I work or worked with has tattoos. The only problem was a facial tattoo once that didn't fly.

[AJJKRN]

Please do your research here on AN because you will find that employers, right or wrong, have the right to terminate or not even consider someone with visible tattoos anymore. My employer recently (about 2 years ago) just sent out a house-wide email one day about visible tattoos not being acceptable anymore which left some people that had put many years into the company, without a job in moments...I like tattoos but I like having a job even more!

[Tumbler]

I love my tattoos! And I make darn sure they can be completely covered by a basic, short-sleeved scrub top. During school, they had to be. And although I saw many nurses who had them, hospital policies can change, and just because my first job allows them doesn't mean my next one will. Err on the side of caution.

[Purple_roses]

Please do your research here on AN because you will find that employers, right or wrong, have the right to terminate or not even consider someone with visible tattoos anymore. My employer recently (about 2 years ago) just sent out a house-wide email one day about visible tattoos not being acceptable anymore which left some people that had put many years into the company, without a job in moments...I like tattoos but I like having a job even more!

Oh wow!! They were fired! Couldn't they have just covered them up?

[Adele_Michal7, ASN, RN]

They are so common. The place I work at now is the only place I've worked where no one has any.

I mean, unless they're all well hidden. :)

[AJJKRN]

Oh wow!! They were fired! Couldn't they have just covered them up?

If the tattoo couldn't be reasonably covered up, then yep, they were fired!

[Purple_roses]

If the tattoo couldn't be reasonably covered up, then yep, they were fired!

Geez. I think it's insane to fire perfectly good and safe nurses for something like that.

[Dogen]

Another reason I love the west coast. One of my hospitals here recently changed their dress code so only offensive tattoos had to be covered, which was kind of officially allowing what everyone did anyway. My other hospital, a religious organization, still technically says you're supposed to cover them, but I don't know anyone who does.

I invite anyone who's got tats that are hard to cover to come to the west coast, where we worry more about your skills than your skin art. :)

[autolink]

tattoos are no longer as taboo as they once were; however, if your employer has a policy and procedure on it I would be careful.

[n.igmatic1]

I love my 2 tattoos, and they are easily covered by my scrubs. People are surprised when they learn I have ink. I guess I still give off the good little catholic girl vibe. Ha!

[Dranger]

They aren't my thing (saw too many garbage ones in the military) but a lot of hospitals do not care. Nursing school was the only entity to enforce covering up.