Tattoos in the Workplace

[scrubs92]

I know different hospitals have different policies but I was just wondering how things are for nurses or ultrasound techs who have tattoos that are visible or can be easily seen with normal clothing attire.

Did you get your tattoos before or after you were hired?

Are you required to cover them up?

How do patients respond to them?

Are there certain types of tattoos that seem more welcome in the hospital setting?

Thanks :heartbeat

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Well, "policy" says they have to be covered. Are they? more than likely not but im talking a little thing on the wrist or what not. No one really has sleeves or anything that I have noticed yet, other than one of my friends in the ER. That being said I have one that I got before I was hired but it is very easily covered, and I planned for it to be that way.

[oklahomagal]

If you use the search box and type in tattoos you will find several lengthy threads on this topic. Those are the threads that brough me to allnurses.com

My opinion is that you should not get visible tattoosif you want to be a nurse, that they could impair your ability to get a job at some point in your future. I have several and they are all concealable.

[ErinRN2B]

I have a tattoo on my left forearm and I have to cover it up for all clinicals. I got it before I started nursing school I wouldn't personally consider it offensive although some people might think it's unusual - it's of the Morton salt girl logo. It's not really a big deal, I just wear a long-sleeved t-shirt under my scrub top. Another girl in my clinical group has a tattoo on her wrist and wears a big band-aid over it. I think that most facilities now make you cover up any visible tattoos, but for most people it isn't a real problem.

[markostalin]

I think in most of the hospitals tattoos are not allowed but in some the are allowed and it is very good thing