Tattoos are taboo at work. Yes? No?

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It seems tattoos are becoming more common. Does your place of work have a "tattoo policy"? What do you think about tattoos? Do you have one? I have seen some tattoos that are amazing while others are not.

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Tinker88 said:
I think if nurses (also teachers) want respect from the public and want to be viewed as a professional, tattoos should not be seen. How would the majority of people feel with a doctor coming in their room with tattoo sleeves and mouth piercings? We train people how to treat us and perceive us (appearance, behavior, etc). How do you want people to perceive you? Do you want people to look to you as a professional nurse or just a nurse. I don't care if you have one, but I think it should be somewhere hidden.

How would you know if a doctor has tattoos on his arm? They usually don't wear short sleeves.

The fact that fewer and fewer facilities are mandating employees cover their tats only goes to show that the majority of people don't care. If you'd be offended by having a nurse with visable tattoos, then you're in the minority, not the majority.

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Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

My doctor is incredibly smart and has a great bedside manner. He listens to what I say and isn't too quick to prescribe medications. I would not give one hoot if the next time I saw him he had tats. Years ago, it was a new 'thing' for women to wear pants.

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CapeCodMermaid said:
My doctor is incredibly smart and has a great bedside manner. He listens to what I say and isn't too quick to prescribe medications. I would not give one hoot if the next time I saw him he had tats. Years ago, it was a new 'thing' for women to wear pants.

You have a good point CCM. I've been meaning to bring this up. Women should stop wearing trousers! Dresses are so much more professional! Also, I think we’d all agree, the nurse's cap is poised for a comeback.

;)

Gotta go put on my spats and sock suspenders now.

Tom

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Tinker88 said:
I think if nurses (also teachers) want respect from the public and want to be viewed as a professional, tattoos should not be seen. How would the majority of people feel with a doctor coming in their room with tattoo sleeves and mouth piercings? We train people how to treat us and perceive us (appearance, behavior, etc). How do you want people to perceive you? Do you want people to look to you as a professional nurse or just a nurse. I don't care if you have one, but I think it should be somewhere hidden.

We have a few doctors with sleeve tattoos. It does not diminish their skills one iota.

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Like anything, it's the few that ruin it for the many. Most people are used to tattoos...even if they wouldn't get one themselves, they aren't going to be offended by someone else's. That said, it's a risky endeavor for an employer to not have a tattoo policy at all, because as soon as someone shows up with a tattoo that is borderline or offensive (e.g. a guy I know with a confederate flag on his forearm...), they're going to have a tough time asking them to cover it without being accused of discrimination.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I have a tattoo on my inner forearm of a Pikachu. The only responses I have gotten to it are positive. Nobody really seems to give a crap and I am happy it is so. It is in memory of my son who died at age 13 and I would quit any silly job that tried to demand I remove it or be fired.

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At my work place, tattoos must be covered.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

If a doctor came into my exam room to see me and he/she had visible tattoos and piercings, I'd be so excited! I'd say "yeeeah! A normal PERSON like me!!!!"

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I'd be fine with any tattoo on a medical professional as long as it isn't anything along the lines of this. That includes the grim reaper, tombstones, a skull with cross bones or anything bloody. Tattoos are a demonstration of self-expression, and I don't want to think I'm being treated by Doctor Death.

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Specializes in Lvn to RN, new grad med/surg.

Yes I agree. Tasteful, tattoos shouldn't be a problem. Now the letters that are vulgar on the fingers, distasteful things I would probably have a problem with. My patients have asked me about my tattoo, but I haven't had anyone who's had a problem with it.

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Several of the techs at my job have visible tattoos. I've never heard of a policy against them at my work. I have a small one but it is covered by my watch. Most people don't know I have it.

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Honestly, I don't care about things like tattoos or hair colors. I have two tattoos myself, which are easily covered. One of my favorite paramedics in the whole wide world, who I would want to respond if it were MY loved one or myself, has sleeves and plugs. It's not the superficial stuff. It's the knowledge and skill and HUMANITY of the person. You can be the greatest clinician that the world has ever been blessed with, but if you don't a basic level of humanity, it doesn't really matter. I've found that those healthcare professionals that are "down there" with the rest of us mere mortals give much better holistic care than those who come from a place of being on a high horse. I'd rather be treated by the paramedic with full sleeves and plugs who can empathize with me than one who is squeaky clean but who judges where I come from. It's true, it shouldn't be either/or, but if I have to pick, that's where I fall on the spectrum.

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