[DanRN]

Checkers, don't worry about the tattooss. The care you deliver is much more important. I know many men in nursing who have tattoos and they are so common they are really not thought of that much. I don't have any, but it doesn't bother me if another man does. If you are considering a career in nursing, examine whether or not your motivation is to be one who helps other people when they can't help themselves. You really need that withih you to be an excellent nurse. God bless you. Dan

[heatherfeather]

I felt the same way about my tattoo. I have one on my forearm so it's quite obvious. But true indeed, ultimately it's the quality of care you give.

[cassioo]

I had a patient the other day and we had her set up to do an epidural. Anesthesia asked her what the tatoo on her back was and she said oh it's tribal art....I asked her so what tribe are you from LOL I know it's bad but she's a 19 yr old white girl from rural KY no alot of tribes running around

[KateRN]

not only do i have a few visable tattoos, but i have a number of piercings and bright red stripes in my hair - if nothing else, i get more compliments on it than otherwise. my boss thinks my hair is great. our cticu is comprised largely of people in their twenties and its not at all uncommon for people to have nose rings, eyebrow rings... i even have my septum peirced, although i keep a retainer in it more often than not. i've never had a problem, nor have i heard of other nurses having a problem.

when i went on my first travel assignment however, i was made to re-dye my hair, take out all my piercings and cover the tattoos.... the difference being - my home unit is in a large city, teaching facility and one of the best you can find in the city, and i traveled to a rural non teaching hospital in maine!

you've got to consider the source, i suppose...

[baldrn]

It depends really, several factors: mainly your position, your tattoo, your demeanor. Example: an older lady/gentleman PROBABLY would be impressed by an army tattoo on your arm that says something like "MOM". Even one of those faded ones I've seen of the half naked lady strikin a pinup pose carries some merit of wartime.
But the same patient might be offended by one of those dark, gothic, skull/crossbones kind of tattoo.
Finally, the same patient would probably be alarmed if you approached them with MOM tattooed across your forehead. OR across your buttcrack if you bend over to pick something up and your scrub top rides up. LOL

Bottom line is "The customer always comes first". If it's offensive in any way, it should be covered, only out of respect for the customer/patient. It is your body, but while your supplying the patient with a service, they should be happy with the service and the supplier.
There are certainly some cool tatts that can safely be done and make a statement or a cool body mod.

[cassioo]

not only do i have a few visable tattoos, but i have a number of piercings and bright red stripes in my hair - if nothing else, i get more compliments on it than otherwise. my boss thinks my hair is great.


I'd probably like your hair but it wouldn't fly in my small town community hospital. We still have in our dress code about hair pulled up and modest makeup (modest to some isn't modest to others) 2 pairs of earrings (I think that is female) 1 wedding set and 1 other ring (none for some areas) no visible body piercing. We just got a new OBGYN and are looking for another the one that just came says he knows a few good ones but they probably wouldn't fit in because the first thing people ask is what church you go to or are going to...it doesn't matter if the pt themself doesn't go but they want their doctor to go

[cincypedsrn]

It is policy where I work for tattoos to be non-visible. I agree with the statement regarding the quality of the care you give, but I'm a nurse @ a peds hospital. I can see where a distraught parent would be uneasy, uncomfortable handing their sick child over to someone that has a questionable professional appearance.