Will my tattoos hold me back?

Shorty11, BSN, RN · May 16, 2012

I am a nursing student so I can't say too much about policies of employers in regards to tattoos. But I have already completed one semester of the program and I can say that in my nursing school, tattoos must be covered by your uniform, by an undershirt, or by bandages/tattoo cover-up. We are not allowed to have any tattoos showing, at all, while in clinical. Students who don't comply, i.e. Dont have their tattoos covered, are sent home from clinical with an incomplete for that day. From what I can tell, our professors/instructors seem to be pretty "off-put" to say the least by students who have visible tattoos or piercings. I'm sorry to say this, but your tattoos will make you stand out in nursing school and not in a good way. As far as the job market goes, I would think employers want to hire people who can easily portray a positive, professional image, and although tattoos are considered mainstream in some areas, I don't think they have achieved that status yet with all patients, especially geriatric. I would think that when applying for a job, it would just be easier for them to go with the next qualified applicant who doesn't have a sleeve of tattoos that has to be "managed". I obviously can't speak directly for how employers feel, just my thoughts on the topic. Hopefully it doesn't hold you back from pursuing your dreams of becoming a nurse though. Best of luck!

MLutiker · May 16, 2012

That's kind of the way I'm looking at it too. In a competative job market, why choose me when there are plenty of other, non-tattooed applicants. It really stinks though. I have a 4.0 GPA and am doing very well. I know I would make a great nurse if given the opportunity... The clinicals at my school require us to wear long sleeves anyway so I guess I'm lucky there. I just have this icky feeling that this will create problems in the workplace.

RLtinker, LPN · May 16, 2012

Just keep them covered during clinicals and lab and no one will care. But if worried, just ask your nursing faculty and they should be able to give you a more definite answer.

Julesmama28 · May 16, 2012

I just had orientation for our program. While we have to cover up tats and only one pair of earrings etc, I really think if you can keep them covered and you look professional it won't matter!

missnurse01, MSN, RN · May 16, 2012

it depends on where you are. I have worked places where they must be covered-in GA- but plenty of other states where they don't. if this is your dream do not talk yourself out of it! like everyone said, when you interview, where long sleeves and you will be fine. where i am now it is considered discrimination-nurses also have blue, purple, and pink hair. many don't even pull their hair back which makes me a little grossed out thinking of their hair swinging in poop, but hey, it's not my hair. if you have tats on your face you can't cover, then I could see them having issues, sadly, but other than that it shouldn't be a big problem. You know you could also ask for an appointment at a hosp with the nurse recruiter and go over your goals and fears now-state how you are a good student and driven for the profession. they could give you some honest imput in your region.

good luck!

grownuprosie · May 16, 2012

like others have said, just cover them. Are the ones you cannot cover on your hands or face? Are they tasteful or tear drops indicating how many people you killed in prison?

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · May 16, 2012

1. Wear long sleeves

2. Wear Dermablend concealer

School will probably be the hardest to get through. Work...workplace atmospheres can vary but for the most part tattoos are frowned upon. Psych seems to be an exception: never have I seen so many visibly tattooed staff members of all walks from MDs right down to techs--and everyone in between.

But again, we're not talking facial/hand tattoos or tattoos that are very obtrusive, like a full sleeve. And again, your mileage may vary depending on the facility.

Katie71275 · May 16, 2012

Personally I don't think it is a problem! I have a tatoo on my inner wrist(and one on my ankle). I wear a large bandaid to cover it during clinical.

At all the hospitals I have done clinicals at so far, I've seen plenty of tatooed people so it's not an issue here at all.

You can cover it during clinical, and to be honest, I've seen tons of nurses who wear longsleeves under their scrubs so I don't see why you can't cover it that way during work if you need to.

Eric Cartman · May 16, 2012

I'll keep this short and sweet. I have tattoos and I keep them all covered while I am at work. Tattoos are fine, but don't let people in the medical field know that you have them. This also includes nursing school faculty, proctors, and clinical nurse instructors.

Now, once you have a job and have job security, then you might be able to consider not worrying about who sees your tattoos. But! Until you get there, and that's definitely a few years away, just keep em' covered. Tattoos unfortunately are still viewed as slightly taboo and not thoroughly accepted by our society.

theantichick · May 16, 2012

I've always wondered when I see these posts if Dermablend or that new makeup from Kat VonD would work in clinicals. I use Dermablend to camoflauge a scar and it seems pretty durable though I imagine it would wash off if it were attacked with soap multiple times. Of course, I rarely wash above my forearms, so I guess a lot would depend on how low your sleeve goes.

I've seen lots of tattoos in the hospitals here in D/FW, not anything showing as extensive as a sleeve, but they are definitely there. I would think especially if you're working in an urban area where most of your patients are going to have ink, that it wouldn't be as much of a detriment.

But yes, you're going to have to find some way of covering them for school and interviews.

mssjez · May 16, 2012

Check out this website. I thought it was a great idea for those with sleeves.

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