Can nurses have tattoos?
The design of your tattoo really does not matter if your hospital does not allow nurses (or staff) to have visible tattoos.
And some dont want ink to be visible. But some dont care, too. Its a crap-shoot and depends on the facility and your department.
Many hospitals and nursing schools will say you need to cover it up.
Although tattoos are great for expressing individuality, they also carry a bad stereotype. Society deems tattoo people unprofessional, heathen, and uneducated.
Sure, you may passed your state boards and graduated at the top of your class but practical, high-paying jobs in health care have their own rules.
You also dont want to offend your patients and make sure you look professional to them.
Cover it up
Many healthcare facilities have a cover it up policy, which can be done easily if you have a tattoo on your arm.
A long sleeve shirt under your scrubs works well. Besides, its always cold in the hospital, so that shirt will keep you warm, too.
You may be able to hide a tattoo with a Band-Aid. But that can be a problem if you are nurse with a tattoo on your hands.
The Band-Aid wont stay after repeated hand-washings. Many medical facilities understand this. Besides, if it did stay it could turn gross, which could become a source of infection.
Be professional, plan ahead
However, if you are considering getting a tattoo, consider getting it in a location that is not visible when wearing scrubs or can be covered with a shirt.
Tattoos on the face, hands, neck, and forearms are too visible. Theres no sense in jeopardize your future nursing career with a visible tattoo.
Better locations include the back, legs, ankles, chest. All of which can be visible in your summer clothes out of work.
If you want to ensure no problems with employment and promotions, make sure you can cover or camouflage your tattoo. This also holds true for any other body modifications, such as piercings.
Go easy on the piercings
A small piercing in your ear is not a big issue. Nose rings and tongue studs and bracelets can be problematic in service positions for many reasons.
Patients grab onto the most uncanny places and the last thing you want is a patient to grab your nose ring and pull ouch!
The same holds true about bracelets. You dont want your wrist bracelet dangling into somebodys infected wound.
If you work with MRI equipment, the last thing you want is metal on your person. That machine is like a big metal detector and could drag you across the hospital floor.
Sample nurse dress code
The University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science has their dress code online.
Points that are important for nurses with tattoos include this:
TATTOOS MUST BE COVERED AT ALL TIMES IN THE CLINICAL, LAB & COMMUNITY SETTING.
They also listed another point, which is bolded, I never considered:
HAIR COLOR MUST FALL WITHIN NATURAL OCCURRING SHADES, BE NEAT, AND IF LONG ENOUGH TO REST ON SHOULDERS IT MUST BE SECURED BACK. FACIAL HAIR MUST BE NEATLY TRIMMED.
Hair color, jewelry, and tattoos are all visible expressions of our individuality. But when it comes to the job at hand, nurses are nurses and have to look professional and not offend their patients.
This often means taking a conservative approach, which is common in other businesses, as well. Sure, you may be able to find a healthcare facility that is more liberal, but most will need you to be conservative.
I hope this information about nurses with tattoos has been helpful.