Visible tattoos

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · May 15, 2016

When you say you're about to start nursing, do you mean a nursing program or as a nurse?

Most programs require covering of tattoos for clinicals. As for tattoos in the workplace, there are ppenty of facilities that don't prohibit tattoos.

Ruas61, BSN, RN · May 15, 2016

Search feature will bring up a lot of threads on this topic.

NursingNerd1 · May 16, 2016

Tats have to be covered up for nursing school clinicals... And our facility says they must be covered up per our dress code, but I see tons of people, including supervisors that have them. I have a small one on my wrist, but it's mostly covered by my watch while I'm at work.

RAndaRoo · May 18, 2016

As others said usually it's in clinicals for nursing school that you have to cover tattoos. I live in Texas and plenty nurses that I work with have them. But they're usually small. I think as long as you don't have like a face tattoo you should be good [emoji106]ðŸ»

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · May 18, 2016

There are probably 100 threads on this already. Literally. I would read some of those to start with.

I was wondering what the general regulations regarding visible tattoos are as a nurse. I really want to get visible tattoos but I'm about to start nursing and they aren't allowed. But I have been told that as a nurse in the workplace it's okay to have visible tattoos. I live in Texas and that's where I will start out but I plan to do travel nursing so maybe its more accepted else where? Any information is appreciated!

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · May 19, 2016

There are no 'general rules' & apparently very little common sense when it comes to tattoos.

Rightly or wrongly - The appearance of patient care staff has a great deal of influence upon the perception of the patient and family. This perception affects their impression of your competency. If you look the part, they are much more apt to trust you and believe that you are competent. If you don't look 'competent', it will create many many obstacles for you and have a negative effect on your career.

So, no matter how entitled we are to express ourselves through any manner of body modification we choose..... keep in mind that it will have an effect on how you are perceived. In today's world, patient satisfaction has a significant impact on healthcare reimbursement.

You can connect those dots.

amzyRN · May 19, 2016

I've seen docs sporting visible tattoos. I have some but I do cover them up. I feel like they are personal and I'm a private person who doesn't like assumptions made about me.

Ellie G · May 25, 2016

Lots of threads on this topic. Tasteful and hidden is best. I have a couple and no one at work would know unless I told them

txlonghorngal · May 25, 2016

i am a nurse who has traveled for the better part of the last 13 years of my 17 year career. im from texas as well. i have tats as well. some are visible. they are tasteful, and most hospitals will let you have them as long as they are not on the neck area or facial area, not racial slurs, gang related, or distasteful. ive done most of my travels in alaska, it was more acceptable there, now im in arizona, and going to work in a private hospital and its acceptable there as well. i can also have my nose ring as long as its small, which it is. use your judgement. they are more accepted now than they were before. good luck with your career

topazann · May 26, 2016

Hi everyone ! I m new, and just found this vital topic for me. I want to make oe of this watercolor tattoo. Its art for me !! Will be do it on the part of the body, which can always cover up. cause in my mind nurse and tattoo is incompatible

Mandychelle79, ASN, RN · May 28, 2016

I work psych (though in sure I would do this in other areas just more accepted on my unit) and while my tattoos are able to covered in usually comparing tattoos with patients and discussing who in the area did there's etc. it's often a topic they will freely talk about and then I can "sneak" my questions in because they are more relaxed.