Will my tattoos hold me back?

nurse4angels · May 16, 2012

Like Eric, I would keep them covered up. I have been in the medical field since 1979 and naturally then it was shameful to see a nurse not even a male nurse with tats. I have worked 4 years ago finally in the private sector and worked with two nurses that loved their tattoos and were not ashamed to show them to anyone. With this came much retribution from the docs and management. As for us nurses we did not care but hey, what the DONS and DOCS want they get. You got to put things into perspective, you like them, love them but unfortunately some people will always think nurses male or female are just hardcore and although they are just the sweetest people in the world but have a flair for talents, exotic, arts it isn't looked that way. Unfortunately it is looked at as harsh and indecent....so do yourself a favor, if your passion is in nursing, then you must stop tattoing or just cover up cause you will feel the wrath of some people of management and when applying for jobs, you don't have to mention anything, just keep cool, covered and professional...Good luck.

jpflieger · May 16, 2012

Don't give up your dream because of tattoos! I'm about to start a Direct Entry program in a couple of weeks. I have a tattoo on each arm, one on my ankle and one on the back of my neck (and have thought about getting a half sleeve). I plan on covering them up in clinicals by wearing sleeves under my scrubs. If my hair must be worn up, I'll put a bandaid over the one on my neck. If it's really a concern of yours, maybe talk to an advisor or one of your professors. Be honest and ask what the rules are for clinicals and tell them that you just want to be sure not to offend anyone. I do think that tattoos are becoming more acceptable. I saw a statistic that 1 in 4 people from 18-50 have a tattoo, and between the ages of 18-29 that number jumps to 1 in 3. So you're in good company. Don't let a little ink under your skin stop you from pursuing your dream - that's silly. You'll be great! Good luck!

RT->CRNA · May 16, 2012

I wouldn't worry too much onless you get into a OR job. For the most part, I ran into this same situation as a RT. I have both upper arms covered, and they peak below my scrubs. When I apply for a job, I wear long sleeves. OR is the only place you can't wear undershirts at all (even females) because of the scrub up process. At every single hospital I've worked at (more than 15) I've always seen people that used underarmor or similar shirts under scrubs.

Ivan

Spiker, ASN, RN, EMT-P · May 16, 2012

It sounds like you are truly passionate about nursing. I've been an RN for almost 35 years, & certainly want someone with your drive & passion to join the profession! I agree with missnurse01: go speak with the HR person at your clinical facility, to see how they feel about this. Do they see your drive, passion, professionalism? Or can they not see past the tattoos? You also need to think about what future type of Nursing you want to practice: think about what areas of a clinical setting can you keep your arms completely covered. In an OR you'd have to bare your arms often. Most other areas of the hospital where I work allow staff to wear long-sleeved tee's under scrub tops, as it's often chilly. I hope you can get around this , & wish you the best of luck on your Nursing career! :nurse:

Inimica18 · 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.

I would not get discouraged by this matter!! Compassion, good grades, and great references are going to get you in. Once employed and doing well your tattoos will not matter. I am employed by a children's hospital and they are nurses around that have visible wrist, neck, and even finger tattoos. Have them covered in your interview and win them over with other strong points. Nursing school is not the real world and usually things are not as strict.

nekozuki, LPN · May 17, 2012

Seems like it depends on the facility and area. My school will not accept any student with tattoos below the elbows, and neither will the local colleges and university that we transition into. We are not allowed to wear long sleeves under our scrubs. My sister attempted to get into occupational therapy, but with the competitiveness, no local school would take her and stated it was against policy (she has tattoos on both hands and all fingers).

I have never seen anyone at the hospital or nursing home I've done clinicals in with any kind of visible tattoo, but it's nice to know things are changing in other places!

threebrats46 · May 17, 2012

Nursing School and job interviews may be your only issue, just wear long sleeves,use coverup. On the job I have work with male and female RN who have their tattoos exposed and the hospitals don't have any issues with it. I personally was more shocked ( not in a bad way ) when I get 70 and 80s year old female patients and find tatoos on them during patient care. Tatoos don't make a nurse,and if you want to be a nurse then follow your heart.

threebrats46 · May 17, 2012

Also as for the OR...does it really matter? The patient's are usually under anesthesia.

Katie71275 · May 17, 2012

Oh and I forgot to add earlier on, but many of our clinical instructors also have tatoos!

MLutiker · May 17, 2012

so do yourself a favor, if your passion is in nursing, then you must stop tattoing or just cover up cause you will feel the wrath of some people of management and when applying for jobs, you don't have to mention anything, just keep cool, covered and professional...Good luck.

Like I said, the ink is from my past, I'm not currently getting work done. I understand the long sleeve thing. I know that once my superiors see me work they will be able to look past the occasional peekaboo tattoo. What I have is well done and tasteful, even pretty I think but I occasionally have these moments of self doubt where I try any excuse to say I'm not good enough and should just give up. I think my tattoos were a way to back out so that i don't have to be so afraid of failing. But I'm over it. :) There is nothing that will keep me from that degree!

katers005 · May 17, 2012

I know it can be hard to cover up tattoos, but technically employers can't discriminate against you because of our tattoos. You can just make sure they are covered when you go for an interview, so they don't judge you based on that decision. It may seem like you are hiding that from them, but I don't see anything wrong with it. If you end up getting a job then talk to your employer about it maybe? You can also come out and ask hospitals or potential employers if they allow visible tattoos. I know hospitals around here don't allow tattoos to show. I have two visible ones on my wrists, but they are easier to cover also. Good luck. I would still go through nursing school if that is what you really want to do.

grownuprosie · May 17, 2012

employers can discriminate against you based solely on your tattoos. i am not sure why i keep reading form people on this site that, "technically they cannot discriminate because of tattoos [piercings]". it is just not true. the only things they cannot use against you are those defined by the equal employment opportunity laws. tattooed people are not among the protected groups. (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age or disability: http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/qanda.html )that is why you should cover them up. i would even suggest derma-blend for interviews. once you get the job, it is significantly less likely to loose your job over them. what they cannot see is not their business. i am pro body modification. i have gauges and tattoos myself. i would just hate for someone to think they are safe because of this misinformation being disseminated.

can someone help me down from this soap box?