Tattoos and Nursing

[wiselion]

Does anyone know what the general guidelines are for visible tattoos?
If I cover them, is it a problem?
There are religious in nature and on my leftforearm and both wrists.

[Button2cute]

Hello,

Every employer will have guidelines for tattoos. My past employers suggested long sleeves, bandages, or removal of the tattoos for all direct and indirect medical personnel. If non-compliant x3 and a pink slip will be attached to your time card.

Good luck....

Buttons

[CaliRN]

Wear very long sleeves. It doesn't matter what the pictures are, they look very unprofessional.

[Gona_bea_nurse]

tatoos are hot and employers are prudes.

[Jweesser]

Having a tattoo is a personal choice. Becoming a nurse is also a personal choice with professional and personal responsibilities. Being employed by a hospital means that you owe it to that hospital and it's patients to act and appear professional as dictated by that facility's conduct and dress codes. If you do not agree with the employer then it is simple, don't work there. I understand that personal expression is very important to some people. I believe that those same people need to be sensitive to the perception of others, especially patients and patient families. They are the reasons we became nurses in the first place.

[Gona_bea_nurse]

I believe that those same people need to be sensitive to the perception of others, especially patients and patient families.

In that vien, when I was doing cna clinicals, one of the girls thought it would be cool to spike an old dudes hair into kind of a mohawk with some water. Long story short, he didn't care (out of it) but the family freaked and everyone got in trouble. The moral of the story, patient familys perception of your actions/looks is important but it's not for them most people go into nursing.

[peady2]

In that vien, when I was doing cna clinicals, one of the girls thought it would be cool to spike an old dudes hair into kind of a mohawk with some water. Long story short, he didn't care (out of it) but the family freaked and everyone got in trouble. The moral of the story, patient familys perception of your actions/looks is important but it's not for them most people go into nursing.

Actually the moral of the story here is that even "old dudes" who are "out of it" are human beings and as such are entitled to simple human dignities, especially when they are vulnerable. Treat all people with respect and you will never have to deal with a family (or patient) who "freaked" nor will you "get in trouble" for your actions.

It troubles me that people who would do such a thing to a helpless, vulnerable patient for a laugh, then think that it is only wrong because the "family freaked" and they got in trouble, are in the nursing profession. This is a sad commentary on people who think nursing is some kind of salary goldmine (it is NOT) and are only in it for "the money." But unfortunately it is typical of the new nurses I meet today-this basic lack of caring for the humanity and dignity of their patients and only being concerned with getting a job done so they can collect a paycheck. Yeah, I go to work for the paycheck as well-but the difference is that while I am there, I CARE.

[peady2]

Oh, as to tattoos, if there is a dress code, follow it. If not, I don't care how you choose to mark yourself, unless it is with profanity or obscenity-if so, then cover it up when at work, and save it for your social circle.

[Gona_bea_nurse]

It troubles me that people who would do such a thing to a helpless, vulnerable patient for a laugh, then think that it is only wrong because the "family freaked" and they got in trouble, are in the nursing profession. This is a sad commentary on people who think nursing is some kind of salary goldmine (it is NOT) and are only in it for "the money." But unfortunately it is typical of the new nurses I meet today-this basic lack of caring for the humanity and dignity of their patients and only being concerned with getting a job done so they can collect a paycheck. Yeah, I go to work for the paycheck as well-but the difference is that while I am there, I CARE.

It was a high school class so I doubt anyone saw the wrong. I didn't at the time, she just fixed his hair, after a group of us cleaned him up. The style wasn't age appropriate but it wasn't done in malice.

[reesern1963]

It was a high school class so I doubt anyone saw the wrong. I didn't at the time, she just fixed his hair, after a group of us cleaned him up. The style wasn't age appropriate but it wasn't done in malice.

That's not the point. Are you able to explain why this was wrong? (And not because the family was upset.)

The more I read, the more frightened I become when I think about who will be taking care of my parents and me in years to come. Is there anyone in the new generation of nursing with a sense of decency?

[Qaodust]

Yes, there are decent nurses in the younger generation. I'll be graduating in a class of roughly 80 students in a month, many of which are like me and under 25 years old. Not a single one of the students I've met and talked to behave without respect toward the individuals we care for.

As to the tattoo issue. As has been said earlier, nobody can care if they can't see your tattoos. But there are a lot of people who are easily offended, and it's very unprofessional in appearance. I have one tattoo that covers about half of my back, and will be getting another soon. But you wouldn't guess it unless I told you about it, or I'm swimming.

[ljones2]

As a professional RN I ask you to please cover your tattoo's up, and to be mindful of the profession you represent. Remember, perception is ninety nine percent reality.

[funkybug]

I also have tattoos and a nose piercing ... not common for a 40-year old, but I'm fighting time ... lol.

Two of my tattoos are on my wrist. Most don't even notice them, but nonetheless, I made the CHOICE to become a nurse. No one forced me to do so. If I want to do this, then I must follow the guidelines and expectations. This requires me to remove my piercing and cover my wrists. Yes, it's HOT in the nursing homes I work in currently, but just as I made the choice to tattoo my wrists, I make the choice to wear long sleeves to cover them and do my job professionally.

The focus in nursing is the person you're caring for, not yourself. Patients and residents are not things for our amusement. They did not choose to be cared for by me. They allow me to care for them and do things they cannot do themselves. I see it as my professional and personal responsibility to make it as easy as possible for THEM to place their trust in me. If my tattoos and piercings hinder their ability to be comfortable with my care, then those things are hindrances to my profession.

On the topic of the hair style ... patients aren't toys, they're people. If you can't see that, you might find yourself struggling in your profession one day.

[EdwardZ]

I think as a nurse we should be the models of cleanliness and purity. This includes having no tatoo. But siince you already have it, you can also cover it if it is still coverable.

[mucha]

I am an RN on a L&D floor and I may look normal in appearance to most, with blonde hair and glasses, but underneath those scrubs I am very different. I have a full backpiece, tattoos on my arms and legs, plus multiple body piercings. I was the girl with green hair in the past; however, I know I have to be professional on my job. All of my tattoos are covered; however, my co-workers eventually saw some of them and had a very interesting reaction to it all. The 50 and older group said they were surprised I had all of these things considering how professional and friendly and supposedly normal I seemed. I took this all as a compliment coming from my co-workers. I like to prove people's preconceived notions of what a tattooed person is like and show them we can be educated and professional. On my days off anyone can see my body art and I am proud of it all but I still know the workplace is somewhere where it might take some time to win over those you work with. Good luck!