Will my hand tattoos stop me from becoming a nurse??

[Chris176]

I'm currently in EMT school with the goal of eventually becoming a paramedic and bridging to an RN. I have a tattoo of a rose with my daughter's name covering my whole hand and on my other hand I have a tiger's face which also covers the whole top of my hand. They're both very well done tattoos and there's nothing offensive about them. Will they stop me from becoming a paramedic and eventually a nurse?

[Hani, BSN, RN, EMT-I]

I doubt it. It might stop you from getting some particular positions depending on who is hiring but I have hand tattoos and so do several of my co-workers. I've been a nurse over 20 years and I haven't found it to be a problem. I have seen tons of paramedics with them but I have never been in the hiring environment in that case so I can't answer as clearly there. I would NOT let it stop me. Best of luck!!

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Depends on the hospital's policy for nursing. EMTs would need to weigh in for that specialty. At one point nurses were being told to cover visible tattoos (I am that old!) but lately both in inpatient and ambulatory care I've seen nurses with visible tattoos.