Tattoos in the workplace

Published

The hospital I work at has a policy of no tattoos at work. Any tattoos that you do have must be covered up by clothing. I was wondering what other policies are out there. Are tattoos allowed? Is it enforced where you work? Do you like/hate the policy and how would you change it if you could?

I'm a tattoo and piercing freak. My only visible tats are on my ankles which are usually covered with scrubs and i have a tiny stud in my nose.

I choose to have the majority of my tatts and piercings in places that are not visible at work. I dont really care what people think of tatts I do however feel that some people may be intimidated by visible tattoos and at the end of the day its about providing the best possible nursing care for my patients, not being a walking piece of art because I think its cool

Can I like this about a hundred times? :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

My 2cents...sure to get hammered: All tattoos are terrible in all circumstances. The ultimate in trendy - non-original forms of "expression" akin to the multitudes of idiots that actually believe anybody cares what they express in a car bumbersticker...ugh.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in hospice.
My 2cents...sure to get hammered: All tattoos are terrible in all circumstances. The ultimate in trendy - non-original forms of "expression" akin to the multitudes of idiots that actually believe anybody cares what they express in a car bumbersticker...ugh.

I'll be sure to pass your thoughts along to my father in law about the radiation targeting tattoos that helped save his life from Hodgkin's disease in his late 30s so he could finish raising his boys and know his grandchildren.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU Stepdown.
My 2cents...sure to get hammered: All tattoos are terrible in all circumstances. The ultimate in trendy - non-original forms of "expression" akin to the multitudes of idiots that actually believe anybody cares what they express in a car bumbersticker...ugh.

All circumstances? Even within its native culture?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What's a tattoo sleeve?

A sleeve is when the tattoo covers the whole arm from wrist to shoulder or maybe just part way but you get the idea.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The fact that the conversation of tattoos in the hospital setting being a relevant conversation is rather funny to me. I have some, all of which are covered, I even go to the extent of wearing a tee shirt under my scrub top to cover my chest tattoo. The only reason for this is because I don't really feel like having the conversation be it in a positive or negative way from anyone I work with or care for. That being said if someone chooses to have a sleeve of tattoos and that subject matter in you're eyes is controversial in some way you have to stop and say to your self, "I'm a nurse." You're a nurse at home, at work, at church where ever life takes you from now on, you'll always be a nurse. We are trained and educated to not look at the exterior of someone and judge them be it tattoos, facial hair, makeup, hair style, religion. We should all preach what we practice and in my opinion that extends to body ink. (Face tattoos excluded.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.
My 2cents...sure to get hammered: All tattoos are terrible in all circumstances. The ultimate in trendy - non-original forms of "expression" akin to the multitudes of idiots that actually believe anybody cares what they express in a car bumbersticker...ugh.

Non original? Interesting. All three of mine were designed for me by an artist before putting them on my skin. They are each unique pieces. My tattoos are not for you, or anyone else. They are for me. They are personal for me. They mean something to me. I could give a crap if the random schmo on the street sees or understands that.

I always find it hilarious when people hold such vehement opinions on things that have zero effect on them. So you dislike tattoos. Awesome. Simple way to handle that? Never get a tattoo. ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

Can we all just agree that we are all our own people? :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

One of my daughters is looking into the National Guard. Part of the medical exam is checking for tattoos. Officers may have up to 4, but none below the knee or elbow (am assuming none on neck or face, the recruiter was seeming to indicate it had to be covered). Enlisted not on the hands, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'll be sure to pass your thoughts along to my father in law about the radiation targeting tattoos that helped save his life from Hodgkin's disease in his late 30s so he could finish raising his boys and know his grandchildren.

Really dusky.. er, I mean Red. Radiation markers are far from tattoos. They are a reference point for medical treatment. They wear off after time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm covered in tattoos, I definitely don't feel they are tacky in any way whatsoever. I actually have spent thousands on my ink as I did my research and found a really great artist who actually put a lot of thought and detail into my pieces. My work doesn't care about tattoos showing.. I have never heard any older person complain about them either. Everyone walks around with them exposed. Now, with all that being said, I still wear long sleeves to work regardless. I feel much more professional with them covered and honestly I'd rather not have my tattoos be the focus of anything work related. I'm not there to converse about them or talk about their meanings or let them be a distraction for any reason... I'm there to work. Not only that, but I'd rather wear long sleeves and have that little extra barrier between body fluids and my skin.

I .just.don't.get.it.

I understand art is beautiful. I have some very nice pieces. I get tired of looking at them and switch it up.

if it's on your BODY.. you're looking at it all day every day.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

JBudd, interesting comment about the differential restrictions for tattoos for officers v/s enlisted. I always thought there was a class issue involved in tats. This country does not often talk about class much, but I am foreign-born and see class more.

Ever notice who generally sports more tattoos? It is not random and can generate widely differing opinions about what is acceptable.

In the world I live in visible tattoos are about as unacceptable as smoking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion