I started courses for nursing at a college where I was living about 3 years ago and was able to go one semester but had to stop after. I am now looking at getting back into the degree program at another college where I am now and continuing on with the degree program, but had a question about your experiences with male nurses in the hospital environment and whether or not facial hair is allowed.
I am sure some of it is probably dependent on the facility you work in, but I was wondering if there is a general standard among most places as far as male nurses wearing beards? Although I would definitely shave in order to get a job somewhere, I generally like to wear a beard as it is more comfortable to me and I'm not a big fan of shaving everyday because my hair grows rather quickly.
I have heard that it can be an issue with the N95 masks as well and some places will issue you a PAPR instead if you sport facial hair, but I know this doesn't encompass everywhere. At any rate, attached below you will see a picture of me currently and about the lenght I usually wear my beard. Would this be okay, or is it too long? Any help is appreciated.
Sometimes I like to wear short stubble because it makes me look more assertive. I have a somewhat smaller frame and I know if I have a clean shaven baby face I may look too young to know what Im doing, hehe
I'll preface my statement with this: I do not have a beard. While I have had one, I haven't in many years and never have I had a beard while working in healthcare. Most of the places I have worked didn't have or supply a PAPR so a facemask of some sort was necessary. I could have worn a mustache, trimmed in a manner that would allow for an adequate seal under the mask.
This includes Nursing School. My school didn't have the resources to be able to fit/issue a lot of PAPRs nor they have the resources to have the hospitals issue a PAPR for student use. So, they did the next best thing: require males be clean shaven, or alternatively wear a mustache that would still allow for a good seal.
As I'm a staff nurse, I have been trained to use the PAPR should I desire to use it, though I'm also tested/fitted for specific respirator use. Should I decide to grow a beard, I would forego the respirator use and just use PAPR whenever I am going to be in a situation where I'd need to use respiratory protection.
I would imagine that most male student nurses are in a similar situation, so my advice to them would be to trim down to something allowing a good seal with the required masks and once hired on somewhere, grow it back once PAPR training is completed.
I'll preface my statement with this: I do not have a beard. While I have had one, I haven't in many years and never have I had a beard while working in healthcare. Most of the places I have worked didn't have or supply a PAPR so a facemask of some sort was necessary. I could have worn a mustache, trimmed in a manner that would allow for an adequate seal under the mask.
This includes Nursing School. My school didn't have the resources to be able to fit/issue a lot of PAPRs nor they have the resources to have the hospitals issue a PAPR for student use. So, they did the next best thing: require males be clean shaven, or alternatively wear a mustache that would still allow for a good seal.
As I'm a staff nurse, I have been trained to use the PAPR should I desire to use it, though I'm also tested/fitted for specific respirator use. Should I decide to grow a beard, I would forego the respirator use and just use PAPR whenever I am going to be in a situation where I'd need to use respiratory protection.
I would imagine that most male student nurses are in a similar situation, so my advice to them would be to trim down to something allowing a good seal with the required masks and once hired on somewhere, grow it back once PAPR training is completed.
That is an excelent point. Having a beard can ruin the seal for an N95 mask. No one wants to risk exposure to dangerous airborne diseases. I will remember this when shaving LOL.
Nursing33LAPC, CNA, EMT-B
16 Posts
Sometimes I like to wear short stubble because it makes me look more assertive. I have a somewhat smaller frame and I know if I have a clean shaven baby face I may look too young to know what Im doing, hehe