Tattoos?

[heronurse]

Hi guys im planning to cross of my bucketlist and its having a tattoo. Thinking of getting a sleeve one(whole arm). Wondering if I get fired or maybe have a hard time getting a job for this? I know the responsibility of it by covering during work hours, maybe wearing sleeves or wearing thermal and stuff to cover it. Any insights and opinions? Thanks!

[Ackeem, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

I don't get this. If you like art, you put it up in your house. Your skin is the same thing, why not decorate the walls?

Don't get me wrong i actually like seeing tattoos, just not on professionals for some reason (sounds shallow right?).

[heinz57]

What do you want for your future?

Are you positive you will work to the same organization?

Are you certain you will always have the same manager?

Are you going to limit yourself to only areas which allow long sleeves to cover up the tattoos? Many NICUs and PICUs as well as some adult surgical units do not allow long sleeves and many are limiting in visible tattoos.

Would you have to turn down a lucrative job with a hospital that does not allow visible tattoos? (This might be one of the big religious based hospitals - Adventist, Providence, Catholic)

Will your ambitions never change to where you might take a more visible position with the public such as education or management?

Are you certain tattoos will always be fashionable?

Have you never changed your hair style as you have matured or saw another more stylish look?

Are you going to be an embarrassment to your kids someday when tattoos are no longer in style or be that old tattooed lady they have for a mother when your skin starts showing its age? (Take it from someone who has seen a lot of naked bodies, tattoos rarely hold their shape).

Tattoos are permanent or very, very expensive to remove when (not if) your fashion sense and hopefully goals change.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

Don't get me wrong i actually like seeing tattoos, just not on professionals for some reason (sounds shallow right?).

Yes, very shallow.

[Ackeem, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Yes, very shallow.

Yeah like i said to each his own.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I have bilateral sleeves and lots of degrees, and I am aware of negative opinions and closed minds; people can think what they like, that's their right. I keep my tattoos covered at work even if it's not required because I don't need my life choices complicating patient care, and my tattoos are for me. In my off time I don't cover them, I love my tattoos — they are beautiful in my opinion. :) Tattoos aren't for everyone.

[heinz57]

I have to chuckle at those who call others closed minded, 60's attitude or negative. How about experienced? Do you think you are the first person or the first generation to buck the norm? Ever hear a little song calls "Signs"? "Long haired freaky people need not apply". How about the mohawks, purple hair,the Mullet, Grunge, Punk, Goth and tons of piercings in the 80s which made a come back in recent times? Those of us who began our professional careers saw how our "lifestyle" preferences influenced our lives. We also lived long enough to see how our "damn right entitlements" changed as our lives, likes and responsibilities changed. You can blame us for you covering up your tattoos but you probably are already a little uneasy about your choices whether you want to admit it or not.

I bet some of you promoting tattoos have laughed (hopefully in the break room) about the old man with long grey hair which he has had since the 1960s and has worn it proudly. What about when granny starts dancing just like she did as a go-go dancer in the 60s? How many have seen those who had to be tattooed such as the Auschwitz camp? How about the women being tattooed in human trafficking? What about people from other countries where they are tattooed as being owned? Not every person you encounter in everyday life or in the hospital will just be a close minded old fart. Others may have their own culture related or personal experience influencing their opinion.

In fact, many of the older citizens today would be on your side for doing your own thing just as they did 50 years ago. But, having lived the consequences of rebellion, they will tell you to be cautious. They lived through the Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll days with long hair as the freaks of their time. Yes there were also tattoos and piercings. Luckily most of us got through it by just getting a new hair cut and buying new clothes but the old photos tell it all.

I don't really care what you do to your body. But, when it is permanent and you have your entire life ahead of you, think carefully and don't be impulsive because of advice on an anonymous internet forum.

[lavenderskies, BSN]

Are you going to be an embarrassment to your kids someday when tattoos are no longer in style or be that old tattooed lady they have for a mother when your skin starts showing its age? (Take it from someone who has seen a lot of naked bodies, tattoos rarely hold their shape).

I've never understood this ageist line of thinking. Should we not do anything that will show age? What's wrong with showing age? I LOVE seeing tatts on the elderly, it brings personality and a story of a previous life to a person who may be seen as only "elderly".

[Lisa.fnp]

Stylists and Nail Technicians are expected to complete hundreds and hundreds of hours in cosmetology school and serve out an apprenticeship under a licensed mentor in order to legally work and then attain a license and be accountable to a high standard, and that is to cut hair. *But when it comes to puncturing a client's skin over and over with ink-laden needles, no license is required in most all of the states.

* You have to jump through hoops to cut someone's hair, but anyone can give anyone a tattoo. People all the time get infected tattoos they received at a tattoo party or from someone working out of their home. Some scratchers are able to set up shop and advertise in the industry and more people are injured or put at risk for the transmission of disease. Where is the regulations? This*industry is where scratchers are inserting needles into other peoples bodies. The possibility of disease being transmitted this industry isn't licensed or inspected as a whole. Then where is the ink coming from? Who made it? What is it made of? What country was it made in? *

* There have been published studies that showed a third of college students have had skin infections or permanent skin damage from tattoos and body piercings. Laws in states like Connecticut, tattooing is prohibited except under the direction of a licensed doctor, physician assistant or registered nurse.

So if these articles continue to glamorise the tattoo's industry for glorification and because tattoos are somehow Pretty, or some kind of expression of self worth these articles are giving support to an industry that has no regards as a whole for ones health as a standard of regulation.*

* Ones in the medical profession supporting such a unregulated industry is really taking Nursing back instead of moving forward.

* Wouldn't we be better of following Scriptures counsel on tattoo's found at Leviticus 19: 28 ‘You must not make cuts in your flesh for a dead person, and you must not make tattoo markings on yourselves. I am Jehovah." NWT

Something to think about*

[lavenderskies, BSN]

Stylists and Nail Technicians are expected to complete hundreds and hundreds of hours in cosmetology school and serve out an apprenticeship under a licensed mentor in order to legally work and then attain a license and be accountable to a high standard, and that is to cut hair. *But when it comes to puncturing a client's skin over and over with ink-laden needles, no license is required in most all of the states.

* You have to jump through hoops to cut someone's hair, but anyone can give anyone a tattoo. People all the time get infected tattoos they received at a tattoo party or from someone working out of their home. Some scratchers are able to set up shop and advertise in the industry and more people are injured or put at risk for the transmission of disease. Where is the regulations? This*industry is where scratchers are inserting needles into other peoples bodies. The possibility of disease being transmitted this industry isn't licensed or inspected as a whole. Then where is the ink coming from? Who made it? What is it made of? What country was it made in? *

* There have been published studies that showed a third of college students have had skin infections or permanent skin damage from tattoos and body piercings. Laws in states like Connecticut, tattooing is prohibited except under the direction of a licensed doctor, physician assistant or registered nurse.

So if these articles continue to glamorise the tattoo's industry for glorification and because tattoos are somehow Pretty, or some kind of expression of self worth these articles are giving support to an industry that has no regards as a whole for ones health as a standard of regulation.*

* Ones in the medical profession supporting such a unregulated industry is really taking Nursing back instead of moving forward.

* Wouldn't we be better of following Scriptures counsel on tattoo's found at Leviticus 19: 28 ‘You must not make cuts in your flesh for a dead person, and you must not make tattoo markings on yourselves. I am Jehovah." NWT

Something to think about*

Um wouldn't it be better to leave religion out of it and if one chooses to seek a tattoo do the research to find a reputable medically supervised tattoo artist?

[tprkt]

Glad to see you have such high life expectations.

Tattoo to me indicate trash or low education, I have seen many a dancer with them

Wow, I have 9 tattoo's and looking for my next one and I have 3 Bachelor of Science degrees, Biology, Criminal Justice and Nursing...making a statement like that shows me that you are trash or lowly educated or just grew up in a bubble or under a rock...

There are many nurses and Md's who have tattoo's and I work in a Catholic hospital system. But to answer the original question: all of mine are upper arm plus, 1 in upper middle of my back and right pectoral muscle.

To get a full-sleeve for your "first" tattoo, I'd start with an area that is easily covered just to make sure you like your design and can "handle" the rigors of getting a tattoo. I know many people who started small and became hooked...Tattoo's can be addictive but (for the most part) are permanent, just be sure you live with the design and go to a reputable shop. Visit it first, make sure everything that is used is new, etc... There are many "bad" shops out there but a lot of really good ones, do your research!

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

Wondering why you are contemplating doing something , that has the potential to "get fired or maybe have a hard time getting a job."

No one know how a full sleeve tattoo could impact your future career. Are sure you want to find out?

[irishicugal]

Um wouldn't it be better to leave religion out of it and if one chooses to seek a tattoo do the research to find a reputable medically supervised tattoo artist?

THIS!! Also, they quoted bloody Leviticus lol, we can't wear mixed fabrics either, bear that in mind next time you want cotton blend scrubs [emoji23]

Proud owner of 16 tattoos and counting, I'm lucky to live in a country where it doesn't matter what you look like as long as you do your job properly and comply with infection control. We would NEVER be allowed to wear long sleeves, it's "bare below the elbows" for every person that enters our department, be they a doctor or a clerk. Tattoos and piercings? Fine! Sleeves (the clothing variety)? No.