Tattoos and Nursing

[Frankreich]

I never liked tattoo's on males or females. I've seen too cancer patients have lymph node biopsies that contained tattoo ink.

[Melinko22]

I am currently a nursing student. I am thinking of getting a tattoo on my left wrist. It is for religious reasons and will be pretty small. I have been debating this for quite some time now, as I really want the tattoo where I can see it often (as a reminder of my religious convictions), however, I am generally very warm and do not like to wear long-sleeves. I know every employer is different, but in general, would it be acceptable to wear a wrist band (sweat band) to cover it? My sister suggested it would be seen as a bacteria carrier, but I do not see how it would be different than simply having long-sleeves on. It is in the same place and made of the same material. I would be very careful to always have a new clean band on each day, I am just worried about how it would be seen by others; would the patients feel like it is dirty or potential employers disapprove?

[PWhite]

From my POV, if your work takes you to take care of others and want to have "validity". I think that it would be best for one's tattoos to be "personal".

[YoungnurseButts]

People can not change people... We all where young at one point but its not even that. we are also the patients too and just because someone has a tattoo dose not mean they do not know there work or material. To me it just show to me that we all are humans.... yes the patients look up to us but in the same sense most of us had a life before we started nursing.... This is just mhy opinon... : )

[YoungnurseButts]

People can not change people... We all where young at one point but its not even that. we are also the patients too and just because someone has a tattoo dose not mean they do not know there work or material. To me it just show to me that we all are humans.... yes the patients look up to us but in the same sense most of us had a life before we started nursing.... This is just mhy opinon... : )

To each its own!

[VISHWAMITR]

I am not really sure if there are "guidelines" per se`, for tattoos.
Tattoos are very personal way of self-expression. Different people have different views about them. Some perceive them as a symbol of rebellion, like the bikers, while others are indifferent to them. As long as the tattoos are not offensive, vulgar, or antisocial in their theme, I guess, they are OK. I for one wouldn't want a nurse with tattoos to take care of me or my family members. Sorry.

[zjb1988]

I think it depends on the employer. I have a friend at a nursing home who has visible tattoos on both forearms, neither one is obscene. He works thirds there, and says nobody has ever said anything to him about it. On the other side of the spectrum, I've got another friend who has an arm piece that is BARELY visible under a short sleeve shirt. You can't even make out what it is, you can just tell he has ink. The hospital told him he has to cover it up, so he either wears long sleeves or puts a large bandage or wrist band over the bottom half of it

[malenursestudent]

Hello I am a young male student getting ready to take my pre req classes for the nursing field and I'm now contimplating getting a fairly big and noticable tattoo on the side of my forearm I was wondering what your professional advise and opinion is on the matter please give it to me straight.

[caanderson528]

Hello. In my 30 years in nursing and nursing management, I have run across many opinions regarding tattoos. My advice would be to enjoy your tattoo on the upper part of your arm. Why? You will never have to worry about perceptions of hiring authorities, patients, etc... While the hiring authority for new jobs/promotional opportunities may not personally have an issue with it, they may worry that others in the institution or patients may.....That way, you have your tattoo and it will never be an issue for you professionally.

[nurse_stevens]

Depends on which department your working in, I know of I youth testing clinic that encourages to show your tats to relate to kids from rough / deprived backgrounds.

[lezhitianxia]

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

[newone1]

I'm enjoying this tattoo conversation. I have an upper arm tattoo. About 4 inches above my elbow. Sometimes if I reach for something people can see part of it. Mostly just a line. If i change to a hospital that has a issue with Tatoos should I wear a short sleeve shirt under my scrub
or is that not a big deal?

[techsavvy555]

In school they are not allowed, but you would be surprised how many RNs in the hospital have tattoos uncovered.

[Nicoletta]

You should address this issue to other professional nurses at grelu.com and they will definitely light you up guys.

[Sigala79]

This thread has been very enlightening to me. I am currently a nursing student and also have many tattoos (full sleeves, chest piece, legs, etc) and I never really thought too much about the issue of having said tattoos before I actually entered school. I was voted the "class Rep" by my class (60+) and am in the top of my class. I do try to cover my tattoos as much as possible when at my clinical sites, but I don't think that they hinder my patient care.
I view my tattoos as artwork that I get to wear on my body and love every piece that I have. I do understand the perception that many people that are 60+ have in regards to being so heavily tattooed. It was my choice to get the artwork on my body so I do understand that I have to deal with the consequences and the perceptions that people initially have of me. It is amazing to me when people get to know me and they say things like "I didn't realize you were so intelligent" or something in a similar vein.
I believe that over time tattoos will become more accepted ( although I know they will never be fully accepted by mainstream society) and that gives me hope.
I do hope that people will see past my colorful artwork, but all I can really hope for is changing one person's perception at a time while giving my patient's the best possible care.