Tattoos?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2016

I think tattoos have become more socially acceptable than ever in this day and age.

A few months ago I entered a local branch of the bank I use. Since I use ATM machines, online banking and phone banking, it had been many moons since I last walked inside a bank or conducted a transaction with a teller face-to-face.

The bank teller who helped me was a woman in her 20s who had bilateral full-sleeve tattoos. 10 or 15 years ago, people with visible full-sleeve tattoos would have not even been hired for this type of position.

So, yes, I think attitudes regarding tattoos, ink, and body art are evolving toward tolerance and acceptance. However, the degree of tolerance is highly dependent on the culture of one's place of employment.

madricka, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2016

I have visible tattoos on my forearm and lower neck and have never once had an employer, manager, etc even look at it or comment on it. When I was in nursing school I just had the lower neck one (visible) and a nose ring (nose ring came out after grad) -- no one said a word about it. I didn't hide anything during job interviews. Several of my coworkers had tattoos and/or piercings and nothing was said about it.

Maybe it's also the subject matter of the tattoos? Mine are very neutral and pretty and tasteful (one is rather elegant). I think if you had skulls and daggers, it might upset the older folks.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 25, 2016

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.

No, just no. This is so wrong. I didn't judge people when I worked as a nurse & I feel people with tattoos judge people less due to their tattoos.

Do you realize that some of your examples are choices people made adoring their body with art, but something they were FORCED to do? How is that in any way relatable to someone CHOOSING to get a tattoo? Not only that but the numbers the prisoners had at concentration camps aren't something they are proud to adorn.

Glad we are considered freaks to you. Maybe you should do less judging yourself!

emmjayy, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2016

I have two tattoos, both of which are large and located on my ribcage. I always wanted tattoos, but I know there are a lot of people out there - some of whom could someday be making a decision about whether or not to hire me - who make prejudiced, unfair, and uneducated assumptions about people with tattoos. So, I got mine and I put them where they will never be an issue for me in terms of having to conceal them for a job. Most people never know I have any unless they hang out with me by the pool (or read my posts on an online forum hahaha) and that's the way I like it.

mf299709 · Jul 25, 2016

It's sad that people say it makes you look trashy and uneducated because someone has tattoos... I'll never understand how people think that...

Anyway... If you want to get a sleeve go for it, just be prepared to wear a lab coat or long sleeve undershirt if a particular employer does not allow them. I am working on a sleeve and have 3 separate tattoos around my forearm at the moment. I started it before I had a nursing job and I knew that some places would not allow them to be seen so I was prepared to cover it if I had too. Fortunately, my current employer allows visible tattoos unless management decided it is an offensive tattoo. Never once have I had anyone patient or staff say anything negative about them. It's the opposite, I am always told by patients especially how good they look and my coworkers even come to me and say that patient so and so won't stop talking about your tattoos and how good they look... Young and old patients... Good luck!

Lisa.fnp · Jul 25, 2016

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?

Religion is left out of it. Since when did ancient writings 'scriptures' become a religion? If I said, 'as a Christian' or 'as a Jew' I would see your point. My comment was made to share knowledge. And who is a 'medically supervised tattoo artist'? Is their such a thing? That was rhetorical.

alexander173 · Jul 25, 2016

Same here. I work at a pediatric hospital and even though they try to enforce the policy with the nurses, we see younger doctors with ink... I've asked a couple of them if they've been questioned or told anything about it and they reply with a no or not really.

ixchel · Jul 25, 2016

No, just no. This is so wrong. I didn't judge people when I worked as a nurse & I feel people with tattoos judge people less due to their tattoos.
Do you realize that some of your examples are choices people made adoring their body with art, but something they were FORCED to do? How is that in any way relatable to someone CHOOSING to get a tattoo? Not only that but the numbers the prisoners had at concentration camps aren't something they are proud to adorn.
Glad we are considered freaks to you. Maybe you should do less judging yourself!

(psssst cheerios.... You might have misread tone here. The poster seems to be saying that those tats were not by choice, and doesn't seem to be saying the tats are things they are proud of.)

ixchel · Jul 25, 2016

Religion is left out of it. Since when did ancient writings 'scriptures' become a religion? If I said, 'as a Christian' or 'as a Jew' I would see your point. My comment was made to share knowledge. And who is a 'medically supervised tattoo artist'? Is their such a thing? That was rhetorical.

I believe quoting the Christian bible creates connotation. This website is not a Christian forum, nor should it be. Your response quoting Leviticus would be akin to a poster stating hijab would solve the tattoo placement and size issue. This is just not an appropriate forum for disseminating religious advice.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Jul 25, 2016

(psssst cheerios.... You might have misread tone here. The poster seems to be saying that those tats were not by choice, and doesn't seem to be saying the tats are things they are proud of.)

Well it's out of place because that OP is also talking about things people chose.

mmkayrn · Jul 25, 2016

I have tattoos but they are in places easily covered. I have had coworkers with visible tattoos like inside of wrist and hand and they haven't had issues. All hospitals have prohibitions, its just a matter of how much your manager enforces them.

Tattoos still have a stigma with the older generations, so be prepared for some issues there. Follow your heart, but if you want to be in management some day, make sure you can cover them up. Good Luck!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 25, 2016

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 are misinformed. Tattooing is regulated in MOST states, and many require licensure. I was married to a professional tattoo artist for many years and had direct knowledge of his requirements for Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Virginia is a great example: licensure is required with strict guidelines, as is maintenance of certifications in bloodborne pathogens, CPR, and first aid. Virginia even requires spore testing on a regular basis of any autoclaves used to sterilize equipment (though many shops have gone to disposable tubes/grips, and needles have long since been a one-time-use thing).

The only states/territories in which tattooing is NOT regulated at the top level are DC, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. However, that does not mean that all those states do not have requirements, they are just not regulated at the state level. When my ex-husband moved to Georgia, he did have to seek licensure in the counties in which he worked, but it's not from a state-level entity.

P.S. Professional artists dislike "scratchers" who are NOT on par with professionals at all.