Tattoos!

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

I didn't plan on being anything fantastic when I was young and stupid and got my tattoo on my wrist. Everything else can be covered by a regular scrub to but that one requires a long sleeve undershirt.

BIG watch...?

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BIG watch...?

Maybe...

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

I know several people with big watches that are covering tattoos.

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I have 9 tattoos, 7 of which are covered by scrubs/shoes. The remaining two are small; one on my wrist, hidden by my watch, and one on the back of my neck. Only 1 other nurse in my unit has visible ink, but it's a full sleeve so he covers it with an undershirt. My manager saw the one on my neck a few weeks into my orientation and just told me that it's pretty. She had more of an issue with my daith earring during my initial interview. "That thing in your ear comes out, right?" I took it out before my second interview, and I regret it. Another nurse has a stud in her tragus and no one seems to care. I think times are changing and people are more accepting. At least I hope so...

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
No tatts over here, but had rad purple and hot pink hair. Everyone was fine with that - in fact the boss loved it :)

Tatts are becoming more and more commonplace, and as such all healthcare facilities need to be more open-minded and accepting of this beautiful artwork.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and not all tattoos are beautiful. Some of them are downright ugly. Even some of the people who HAVE the ink think some of their tattoos are ugly. A recent hire has an enormous Minnie Mouse covering her upper arm -- she said "I was young and stupid when I got that. I HATE it now."

Perhaps in another generation, "healthcare facilities" will be more accepting of ink -- after all, management staff are people, and people have tattoos. But come to think of it, I have never seen a manager with any visible ink. I have seen people apply to management jobs who have visible ink . . . but they don't seem to get hired. So maybe the takeaway is that your beautiful artwork needs to be not visible.

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Specializes in Aged mental health.

Whilst I have to agree with your point, Ruby that some tattoos are ugly, that does not detract from the main point. That acceptance and tolerance should prevail over discrimination and/or judgement based on what a person chooses to place on their body.

I have worked with many a nurse who has had ink, and there have rarely been any occasions that patients found them offensive or requested that they be covered. In fact, working in psych it is quite the rapport builder.

Maybe it is just you, Ruby who is conservative in nature. This is not meant as a snide comment or with snarkiness, but a mere observation from your response. Alas, the times are a changing and more and more people are getting ink as a form of self-expression; at the end of the day it doesn't make you any better or any worse of a nurse.

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I feel as my generation( the twenty something's) get's older tattoos will be more generally accepted and it really won't matter if you're covered from head to toe. I have one tattoo on my chest and cannot wait to get more.

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

My manager doesn't, but two other managers in my hospital have visible tattoos. Both are men. I'd guess one in his 50s the other is maybe 40.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I feel as my generation( the twenty something's) get's older tattoos will be more generally accepted and it really won't matter if you're covered from head to toe. I have one tattoo on my chest and cannot wait to get more.

You may have a window where tattoos are generally accepted and it won't matter; but I'm betting your kids take one look at your tattoos and decide "That's nasty. I'm never doing THAT." And the next generation, tattoo parlors will be going out of business everywhere. Your kids hae to have something to rebel against.

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Hey there! I have a half sleeve and my school made wear long sleeves, I work in the county hospital as a CNA and they have no issues in fact I've seen many nurses with tats.

I worked with a guy in pediatrics who had them all over except his face. 👌. Patients parents could be judgmental but not more than usual.

I say as long as it does not affect your job. Who cares! I love them

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.
You may have a window where tattoos are generally accepted and it won't matter; but I'm betting your kids take one look at your tattoos and decide "That's nasty. I'm never doing THAT." And the next generation, tattoo parlors will be going out of business everywhere. Your kids hae to have something to rebel against.

Lol my mom was with me for my first one and she has quite a few herself. I guess I never felt the need to rebel.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
You may have a window where tattoos are generally accepted and it won't matter; but I'm betting your kids take one look at your tattoos and decide "That's nasty. I'm never doing THAT." And the next generation, tattoo parlors will be going out of business everywhere. Your kids hae to have something to rebel against.

I'm gonna go with no.

My dad has a huge back piece & my mom was talking about getting a tattoo. Tattoos have been around forever & I don't see them going anywhere.

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