Would you? Do you?

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Specializes in Nicu, Currently School Nursing.

Attention school nurses!

If a student comes to you and requests you assist them and put vaseline on their freshly done tattoo, would you do it? (Work at the high school level).

Why or why not?

Let me hear your thoughts.

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Personally I would not. My office is for health issues and medical needs NOT for help with tattoos or piercings.

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Honestly it would probably depend on my mood that day, LOL. I have nothing against tattoos (I have one myself), but would want to know why mom/dad can't do it at home. And if parents did not know about the tattoo then I def would not put the vaseline on it.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i don't see too many tattoos here at the middle school level. i can recall years ago at a different school I had a ms aged kid that came in asking for tattoo care who told me her mom signed off to have hers done - knowing mom I believe it:sarcastic: (cue the I'm a cool mom Mean girls scene lol. ) I let the child use the vaseline and do their own care, I'm not going to deny them, but i am not going to treat them as if it's an injury. Same thing with piercings. There's the alcohol, have at it, and get back to class quickly.

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Specializes in School nursing.
Honestly it would probably depend on my mood that day, LOL. I have nothing against tattoos (I have one myself), but would want to know why mom/dad can't do it at home. And if parents did not know about the tattoo then I def would not put the vaseline on it.

I will ask the student if parents know they have gotten the tattoo. If parents are aware, I'll help. I mean, preventative care to help avoid infection and help healing and vaseline is covered under my OTC orders.

In my state, student has to be 18 to get a tattoo without parent permission and over 14 with parent permission. Now if they got it without parent permission in an unlicensed tattoo parlor than I'd be worried about way more than a little vaseline...

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

I would help a student who asked me to do this, but while I did, would definitely have the conversation to find out if parents aware, if tattoo gotten at reputable place, if student has supplies at home to take care of it, ect.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

Since my school goes through 5th grade, I've yet to deal with a student tattoo...staff is a different story.

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Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

No. I would, however, give them a swab with vaseline and tell them, "You're a big boy/girl and are perfectly capable of putting vaseline on yourself."

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
Honestly it would probably depend on my mood that day, LOL.

Is this on their own time (at lunch, during passing)? If it's in the middle of math class, I used to direct them back to class. If it was their own time I would attempt to help as best I could within the guidance I had. If they had the product I'd give them an applicator/tongue depressor and send them to my bathroom.

Also...I am no longer updated as to best practice on care of tattoos but I thought it was Aquaphor that the shops recommended. The only reason for concern is that Vaseline has petrolium byproduct.

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Specializes in School nursing.
Is this on their own time (at lunch, during passing)? If it's in the middle of math class, I used to direct them back to class. If it was their own time I would attempt to help as best I could within the guidance I had. If they had the product I'd give them an applicator/tongue depressor and send them to my bathroom.

Also...I am no longer updated as to best practice on care of tattoos but I thought it was Aquaphor that the shops recommended. The only reason for concern is that Vaseline has petrolium byproduct.

Aquaphor is recommended by a lot of places, yes. Too much vaseline and the skin doesn't breathe well. I watch students put so much on if we don't talk about what a thin layer actually means.

(I don't have a tattoo myself, but have several friends that do and I have casually discussed care to be aware lol.)

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Elementary School here so, so far not an issue I've dealt with BUT I do get lots of pierced ears issues and I deal with all those so I probably would allow it in my office. Being HS students I would expect them to really do the care themselves but have no problem giving them supplies, helping, etc.

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They just want to show you their tat.

Tell them to do it at home and wrap it, and they are supposed to be using Aquaphor. 2x a day. They don't need middle of the day care.

And no scratching!!!

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