What are your thoughts on unconventional hair colors (purple, pink, turquoise, etc.) in the workplace?
I'm 30 years old and I've always wanted to try out a fun, totally unnatural hair color but until recently I've always been far too timid to actually go for it. For a while now I've been dying to try out the gorgeous silvery lavender or baby pink hues I see on other people.
My nursing school had an explicit "natural human hair colors only" rule, but now that I'm working for an employer that has no set hair color policy in place (and is also not referenced at all in policies relating to hygiene, general appearance, etc.) I'm wondering if I could actually pull this off.
For reference, I work on a tele/step down unit in a moderately conservative area. I ran this by my favorite house supervisor (for generational reference she would be a gen-xer) and she wasn't excited about the idea. Her position was that the hospital environment is where appearing to be "professional" is paramount, and that a huge chunk of the patient population is 65+ and might not look kindly on it. In short, pink hair would undermine my professionalism.
I understand her reasoning there, but I also feel strongly that hair color (or tattoos, for that matter) have absolutely nothing to do with competence or professionalism. If everything else about my appearance is boring and conservative as usual what difference does hair color make? Additionally, I think she's underestimating the older generations she's worried about offending. It's a bit of a stereotype to assume that all of our older patients would be clutching their pearls or eyeing me with suspicion just because of purple hair, right?
and this is why i can't stand old people- they force us all to live in the past, instead of realizing that society progresses and updating their views. also, there should be NO judgment of others -for purple hair or anything else- when you can't even wipe your own ass; they should just be grateful they're being taken care of and ****.
And this is why some old people can't stand young people.
When I was a teen I had my hair coloured a dark sort of aubergine, not an electric purple or anything but definitely not natural either. I loved it while it was still fresh but it took ages to grow out completely and it clearly damaged my hair so I wouldn't do it again. If I could get away with it I would probably experiment more- though personally only with natural shades. It depends on the person, it has to suit them and their style, I like a more natural/soft look like http://newaylook.com/best-brown-hair-ombre/ and no matter how well done, bright pink is not going to look natural is it? So it wouldn't suit me but it might suit others. Can't stand bleach blonde personally, especially in combination with fake tan and heavy black eye make up.
I'm a Nursing student from Cali, and I feel absolutely TRAPPED when I think of being confined to a traditional, conventional dress code with "No unnatural colors".
Its a new world people! WTHeck?! Gay marriage is legal and our last President was African American! Lighten up!
The results of the hair color poll on this page almost gave me a heart attack! Almost 60% of Nurses don't feel the plight of the free spirited Nurse?!? Is this job going to be complete hell??
I understand that no atrocious piercings or inappropriate tattoos showing in the workplace is required, but I liken it to hiding my sexual orientation in public.
I just want to be "Me"! Not strip tease in the hallway and make out with my gay lover!
I live in a conservative/military state. I work with many people with bright hair colors. Tattoos a plenty also. I don't see any facial piercings though, except the nose.
I'm laughing out loud at the "generational reference". Really, my pamplemousse La Croix almost went down the wrong way. As a Gen X-er, I want to thank you for remembering us. I also feel I must add my completely outdated and useless opinion. In a word well known by my generation: "Whatever".
That being said, I have worked with (and gone to school with) a few people (for generational reference, they were "millennials") who seem to have a bit of a chip on their shoulder about their body art and hair color/style. I sometimes commented that you can do what you want with your hair and your skin, however, in doing so, you have to understand that people will have opinions or thoughts about it that you might not appreciate. These thoughts could be about anything from assessments of your professionalism (or lack thereof) to just plain thinking you look ridiculous (or beautiful!). If you choose to get a tattoo or have an unconventional hair color, you'll just have to deal with that fact and whatever may or may not come of it. Oh and personally, I stopped getting carded quite a while ago and I dare anyone to tell me I can't wear ponytails and my pink romper anymore!
I was a patient in the hospital recently, nurse came in with fire engine red hair in pigtails, she appeared to be on the younger side. She was absolutely wonderful & competent. Yet, despite being 31 with a history of unnatural hair colors, wild piercings & tattoos myself (which I've mostly outgrown at this point), I found myself "judging" this very competent nurse. After conversing with her awhile I no longer noticed it. Way of the world: People are going to judge you. Your outward appearance is the first thing that they'll take note of.
I agree completely!
I've been a chronic patient for 44 years, and have seen more staff than I can count, and in a variety of facilities. I haven't seen many, but when seeing nurses with unusual hair, etc, I have reacted exactly the same way as you did. I've also seen patients do the same when I'm at work.
I don't necessarily think alternative hair colors are wrong, I just think they need to be appropriate for the facility and culture.
I'm a Nursing student from Cali, and I feel absolutely TRAPPED when I think of being confined to a traditional, conventional dress code with "No unnatural colors".
Its a new world people! WTHeck?! Gay marriage is legal and our last President was African American! Lighten up!
The results of the hair color poll on this page almost gave me a heart attack! Almost 60% of Nurses don't feel the plight of the free spirited Nurse?!? Is this job going to be complete hell??
I understand that no atrocious piercings or inappropriate tattoos showing in the workplace is required, but I liken it to hiding my sexual orientation in public.
I just want to be "Me"! Not strip tease in the hallway and make out with my gay lover!
Btw, I am not actually gay.
If you seriously feel "TRAPPED" by the hair color rule you're in for a rude awakening. Nursing is all about rules. Most of them reasonable but some that will make you go "huh?" Regardless, you will have to follow them. When you are at work you are representing your employer, not yourself. Your idea of atrocious will likely be very different from your managers. Things have come a long way from white dresses and caps but to expect them to adjust to your idea of what is professional would be a bit selfish. It's not about you it's about making the patients feel comfortable. You will have plenty of time off to fly your freak flag and I highly recommend you fly the heck out of it. It will help you keep your sanity.
BTW, nobody cares about your orientation and your example of what you wouldn't do is borderline offensive.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I'm a Nursing student from Cali, and I feel absolutely TRAPPED when I think of being confined to a traditional, conventional dress code with "No unnatural colors".
Its a new world people! WTHeck?! Gay marriage is legal and our last President was African American! Lighten up!
The results of the hair color poll on this page almost gave me a heart attack! Almost 60% of Nurses don't feel the plight of the free spirited Nurse?!? Is this job going to be complete hell??
I understand that no atrocious piercings or inappropriate tattoos showing in the workplace is required, but I liken it to hiding my sexual orientation in public.
I just want to be "Me"! Not strip tease in the hallway and make out with my gay lover!
Btw, I am not actually gay.
No one really cares whether or not you are actually gay. But if your mental health depends upon unnatural hair colors, piercings and tattoos, you're going to have a difficult time making a living in a real job. The plight of the "free-spirited nurse?" Get over yourself.
Opinions differ about what constitutes an atrocious piercing or inappropriate tattoos. It isn't your opinion that counts; it's the opinion of your employer whom you represent. Your employer's opinion hopefully takes into account the opinions of the patients they serve.
If flying your freak flag is so important to you, perhaps nursing is not the job for you. In fact, perhaps you'd be better off being self-employed so you don't have any pesky bosses to dictate a dress code.
I'm a Nursing student from Cali, and I feel absolutely TRAPPED when I think of being confined to a traditional, conventional dress code with "No unnatural colors".
Its a new world people! WTHeck?! Gay marriage is legal and our last President was African American! Lighten up!
The results of the hair color poll on this page almost gave me a heart attack! Almost 60% of Nurses don't feel the plight of the free spirited Nurse?!? Is this job going to be complete hell??
I understand that no atrocious piercings or inappropriate tattoos showing in the workplace is required, but I liken it to hiding my sexual orientation in public.
I just want to be "Me"! Not strip tease in the hallway and make out with my gay lover!
Btw, I am not actually gay.
Your hyperbolic complaint about actually being expected to present professionally in your chosen profession is sort of insulting to people with, you know, real problems...
I'm a Nursing student from Cali, and I feel absolutely TRAPPED when I think of being confined to a traditional, conventional dress code with "No unnatural colors".
Its a new world people! WTHeck?! Gay marriage is legal and our last President was African American! Lighten up!
The results of the hair color poll on this page almost gave me a heart attack! Almost 60% of Nurses don't feel the plight of the free spirited Nurse?!? Is this job going to be complete hell??
I understand that no atrocious piercings or inappropriate tattoos showing in the workplace is required, but I liken it to hiding my sexual orientation in public.
I just want to be "Me"! Not strip tease in the hallway and make out with my gay lover!
My personal philosophy on it is the grey rock technique. I try to be as uninteresting and boring as possible at work - it's a conservative field and like any field where you're interacting with the public, where isn't a creative field (fashion, beauty, club scene, theatre ect), and you're easily replaceable (like you don't possess a skill set that sets your so far apart from the general population that if you left you'd take a significant amount of revenue away from the employer) - there is usually going to be more of a conventional dress code/ level of professionalism in terms of appearance that will be expected (even if it's not outright stated in he rules).
Work - any field of work really, but especially healthcare - you really shouldn't project so much of yourself out there (to managers, administrators, fellow employees and patients) or make yourself overly interesting, unconventional, unique or different. Just go in, be polite, be professional and then go home to your personal life where you can dress however the heck you want, wear that dramatic makeup, spray in the hair color (or just get a decent lace front wig - so much better on your hair than dying it anyway - I've had mine all colors and the lightening process and upkeep is terrible) and do your thing.
I'm not at work to make friends (though I'm friendly), I don't need to look awesome (just professional) and no one needs to know about my personal life (just that I can provide competent care).
I know you can't distractically change your hair color if your clients/patients know you with a certain look, or If the area you work in has really old people you care for. I have dyed hair, and since it could count as natural (If i was a anime character, or If my grandma got confused about it being dyed or not again) I think as long as you dont change it a lot, or neon colors. My hair has been dyed auburn (not the orange-brown natural 'auburn'. the red-brown, obviously dyed auburn) for a while, though I want to go to silver (which i would need to go into blonde to get to silver) or just not dye my hair anymore. I hate the maintenance, and the reaction my body and head does with the dye. Although I like the color with my eyes-or am used to it. I don't know when I go through the RN program and most likely get a job in a hospital or nursing home, if I would need to strip my hair to my natural color or not. I think if it's close to a natural color, or the patients don't seem like they would freak from a change, then it would be fine.
I knew a old lady ata retirement home, when I was doing a program, that wanted to know the brand i used, and If she would look good with the color or with red in general.
So it wouldn't suit me but it might suit others. Can't stand bleach blonde personally, especially in combination with fake tan and heavy black eye make up.
BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN
1,951 Posts
And this is why some old people can't stand young people.