Will my tattoos hold me back?

buytheshoes11, MSN, RN · May 16, 2012

My visible tattoo is on my wrist - and for that one I simply wear a watch.

Several nurses where I work have tattoos on their arms but they wear long sleeves to cover them up. Like other posters said, there are a couple of companies that make concealer for tattoos. This may be something to consider!

**CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN** · May 16, 2012

My hospital policy is no visible tattoos unless they are small, unoffensive and cannot be concealed easy (perhaps a rose on the back of a hand). I've seen people wear a bit of gauze on their forearms and long sleeves. As with any job interview, I'd recommend keeping your piercings to a minimum and tattoos covered. When you have the job, simply follow the uniform policy. I am sorry if you feel you have to regret your body art.

brillohead, ADN, RN · May 16, 2012

I have a classmate with two full sleeves. He just wears a long-sleeved white t-shirt under his scrubs, and long-sleeved shirts to class. Honestly, I didn't realize he had any tattoos at all until I saw pics on Facebook!

sarahcooper · May 16, 2012

I have tattoos down to my wrists on both arms and it didn't stop me from getting a job or getting through nursing school! Some teachers and clinical instructors will find any reason to dislike you or give you a hard time, tattoos or not! You should go for it, and like many people have said, just wear long sleeves for your interview and long sleeves under your scrubs and no one has to know anyway!

nursejoss · May 16, 2012

I am a new RN who just graduated from a nursing school in San Francisco, CA. Needless to say, everyone here is so wonderfully different! Some of my classmates had tattoos and facial piercings, but were obviously covered up or taken out during clinicals. My biggest piece of advice is to not let ANYTHING get in the way of your aspirations to be a nurse...bottom line. Tattoos are whatever. Sure, cover them up, wear long sleeves, do what you have to do. Like you mentioned, there are going to be times when you'll have to roll up your sleeves and co-workers and classmates will see, but it seriously won't matter (as long as it's not offensive of course). Who cares about tattoos that people see 5-10% of the time. 90-95% of the time you will be super conservative/professional looking. I think it's really up to the hospital, hiring managers, and coworkers when you get hired.

If it makes you feel better, during my ER rotations I would shadow a nurse who had this HUUUUGE beautiful tree tattoo on his arm that extended up to his neck. He wore regular scrubs (not even with long sleeves) and worked at Kaiser. So yeah...depends where you are. And I know of a nurse who, before she became a working RN, got cancer. After going through treatment, she can call herself a survivor and made the decision (even while knowing she was going into the nursing profession) to do whatever she wanted because life was too short. She therefore got sleeves on both her arms. I'm not sure if she hides it or not, but who cares when she has survived cancer and is an amazing nurse.

Go kick-kick butt in school!! :)

holly1028 · May 16, 2012

I think it really depends on where you are; I live in Canada, and lots of the ladies in my program have full sleeve tats, neck tats, wrist tats; these are things that can't be covered all the time but we are not required to cover them. Nurses in hospitals here are often inked with one or many tattoos. We are allowed to have one pair of earrings in school as well as a small nose piercing, and I have my hair dyed black with hot pink streaks in it. I'm one of the top students in my program, and there would be a big uprising if they chose to discriminate against any of us. I hope you can figure out a way to make your dream come true despite the stricter rules of some areas. Good luck!

KatePasa · May 16, 2012

I have 15 tattoos I keep them covered. The answer to your predicament is long sleeved tee to wear under your scrub top. (And to forgive yourself for those bad decisions)

You'll realize that those times when the sleeves get pulled up are not as frequent as you imagine and many of your classmates have tattoos as well. I do wear long sleeves in class too. I do that because I want who I am and the nursing student I am to have precedent over my body art. My crazy past is my business and the long sleeves keep me from having to explain what each tattoo means to all interested parties. A lightweight cotton western shirt will be your best friend and finest confidant.

No one is going to care about how many tattoos you have if you are a quality nurse. Nothing in this world...past, present, or future...should scare you away from trying your darndest to achieve your goals. The field of nursing is changing and soon I'm certain tattooed nurses will equal those uninked.

Check out this thread I wrote when entering nursing school that helped me come to terms with fears of incompatibility with the conservative field of nursing:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/could-i-only-588885.html

P_RN, ADN, RN · May 16, 2012

Look up CoverMark makeup, tat concealer. It works and is water resistant to the max.

jennafezz · May 16, 2012

I am a new RN who just graduated from a nursing school in San Francisco, CA. Needless to say, everyone here is so wonderfully different!

Agreed :) I'm in the Bay Area and I've seen plenty of nurses, techs, doctors, etc with large visible tattoos (especially in Oakland/SF/Berkeley). It doesn't seem to be a big deal at all around here.

Egonzalez · May 16, 2012

I just finished nursing school and at no time did I have to cover up my tattoo on the side of my hand. At first they did wonder how they would deal with it because a lot of students nowadays have visible tats, so they decided it would not be a problem to have it. Nearby hospitals have the policy that visible tats are ok so long as they are in good taste. So don't let tats hold you back, the culture is changing to reflect the reality that many people choose to have visible tats. As for piercings tho, that's another matter entirely that changes depending on the manager you have in your unit. I think tats and piercings are becoming more accepted but, again, it all depends where you work.

Pick01 · May 16, 2012

I have tats on both arms, and one on my hand. I wear long sleeves, and yes for interviews, too. The one on my hand hasn't stopped me yet, it gets covered by gloves, so far no problem. Don't roll up your sleeves, and it shouldn't be a problem. It does get warm in some situations, but you can survive it. If you truely want to be a nurse, adapt and overcome. By the way, I just got hired also. :)

MLutiker · May 16, 2012

Wow! Thanks everyone for all of the advice. You all are wonderful and have really put my mind at ease. I don't know where I will end up working because my husband works all over the country but I am determined to become a nurse so i'll just suck it up, wear long sleeves and make it work. :) you all are awesome!