Wedding Band Tattoo

Sarah010101 · May 12, 2010

hahahah i have about 4 ppl in my 2nd year nursing class who have SLEEVES of tattoos... the ring finger will not be a problem.

cokeforbreakfast · May 12, 2010

Anyone with visible tatoos in my program had to wear a band-aid over them at clinicals.

getoverit, BSN, RN, EMT-P · May 12, 2010

Or wear long sleeved shirts at work.

if anyone asks you about your wedding band tattoo, you can tell them all about it.

Tats will always strike some people the wrong way, but I think "If you don't like them....then don't get one."

ShelbyP · May 12, 2010

I'm sure if anyone has a problem, you could always throw on a plain solid band over it...even if it just costs a couple bucks and you only wear it for work, clinicals, what have you. In my program tatoos are supposed to be covered. Rings (and all jewelry) are discouraged for sanitation purposes, but 1 band with no stones is permitted on the ring finger.

rn/writer, RN · May 12, 2010

You certainly could cover the tat with a plain ring. But I'll bet there would be no problem with leaving it in view if you said that one of the reasons you did it was your concern about actual rings and infection control. Shows you're already thinking like a nurse.

I wouldn't think a ring-finger tattoo would raise any eyebrows (pierced or otherwise).

NBMom1225 · May 12, 2010

I graduated last year, and one of my co-workers on my unit has a small infinity tatoo on the base of her wedding ring finger, right where her ring would sit. Her husband (who works in construction, I think) had his wife's name tatooed on his finger in the same location. Both can wear their actual rings over these tatoos when not at work.

I would ask your clinical instructors if they would have any issues with leaving the tatoo exposed. If they want it covered, I'd go with a cheap plain metal band which would be easier to keep clean through multiple handwashings than a bandaid...those just get wet and sticky and I imagine would harbor far more germs.:)

madwife2002, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

I think this is a very interesting thread for 2 reasons

1/ I have developed an allergy to precious metal so am unable to wear my wedding ring and as an alternative would love to consider a tatoo on my ring finger.

2/ With the increase in infection would this not be something new to consider? Rings are proven to increase the risk of infection and management have not yet gone down the line of banning the wearing of wedding bands (although I wouldnt put anything passed them) in an effort to improve infection rates. So one could argue that a tastefully tatoo'd wedding ring could help to reduce the incident of infection???

aura_of_laura · May 12, 2010

I think this is a very interesting thread for 2 reasons
1/ I have developed an allergy to precious metal so am unable to wear my wedding ring and as an alternative would love to consider a tatoo on my ring finger.
2/ With the increase in infection would this not be something new to consider? Rings are proven to increase the risk of infection and management have not yet gone down the line of banning the wearing of wedding bands (although I wouldnt put anything passed them) in an effort to improve infection rates. So one could argue that a tastefully tatoo'd wedding ring could help to reduce the incident of infection???

Have you tried surgical steel? It's becoming more and more common in jewelry, is pretty inexpensive, and there is a lot of pretty stuff being made with it. My earrings that I leave in are surgical steel - it's like they're part of my body, no sensitivity whatsoever!

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

My husband has a "wedding band" tat on his left ring finger. He was unable to wear rings when we first got married, (due to his work and that he really doesn't like wearing any sort of jewerly.) so he only wore his wedding ring on "special occasions" like nights out, weddings, etc.

A couple of years ago he came home on our anniversary with the tat. He stated that he wanted everyone to know he was married. And the tat was the way he chose to show it. Since then I've noticed a lot more people with tats on their ring fingers. Although I love the sentiment of my hubbys tat, I'll stick with wearing my plain gold wedding ring.

NurseNic2012 · May 12, 2010

Love that you posted this question because I've been curious about this well.

In our school orientation, our instructor indicated tattoos would need to be covered with band-aids. However I thought that was super gross...not sure about anyone else, but I typically find band-aids always seem to end up somewhere they're not supposed to be! In addition, we're allowed to wear a single metal wedding band, no stones. Again, I've had rings fall off as well, thought about infection control, the state of some of the rings I've seen and again, gross.

If you are considering permanently marking your body due to a distaste for jewelry, it seems counterproductive to cover up your tattoo "ring" with a physical ring only while on the clock. And rings move...the tattoo would be visible under it anyway, possibly causing more of a sight than simply one or the other.

Personally, I feel a simple, tasteful line around the finger would indicate (very well might I add) a firm your committment to your partner, while being less likely to cause a possible medical problem for a patient than a band-aid, ring or other covering apparatus. There is even white ink that could be used instead of dark for more of a understated style.

If your desire is strong, the options need to be weighed appropriately. It comes down to your desire to adhere either to your personal convictions...or your possible future marketability for hire, promotion, etc. in a field in which you will have trained many years and worked very hard to build a good professional reputation. I recall something from Daytonite (!) that spoke to questions like these regarding personal choice/nursing careers and was to the affect of...when we choose nursing, we choose to provide the best care for others. To do that well, we may need to leave some of our personal convictions at the door and just suck it up. If that's something you feel you can't do, don't bother even opening the door in the first place.

I feel it would be helpful to talk it over with your school administrators. While it would only be one opinion, they can at least give you an idea of what the professional world may feel about your life-long decision.

Above all, it may be helpful to remember that love doesn't require a symbol to thrive. Just more love!

madwife2002, BSN, RN · May 12, 2010

If your desire is strong, the options need to be weighed appropriately. It comes down to your desire to adhere either to your personal convictions...or your possible future marketability for hire, promotion, etc. in a field in which you will have trained many years and worked very hard to build a good professional reputation. I recall something from Daytonite (!) that spoke to questions like these regarding personal choice/nursing careers and was to the affect of...when we choose nursing, we choose to provide the best care for others. To do that well, we may need to leave some of our personal convictions at the door and just suck it up. If that's something you feel you can't do, don't bother even opening the door in the first place

Well said