[Blue44deuce]

Hello, all. I am a male student at the Indiana University School of Nursing. I have not started clinicals, yet. I am also considering putting my hair in dreadlocks. Now, before you say "Ewww! Don't you have to put toothpaste and manure in there???", let me explain that I will not be using any of those mythical and absurd methods for getting my hair to lock up. I will also not be using the "neglect" method (most people don't). So...with that said, my hair will be clean, regularly washed (helps hair lock up), and not hideous (i.e. they will be small locks...not fat ugly ones).

So, my question is.........What will the hospital/professors say? Will they make me cut them off? Wouldn't that be discrimination? Do you know someone who works at a hospital and has dreadlocks? Know of their experiences related to having dreads in a healthcare setting?

I'm curious about this, because I don't want to do something that will not be allowed.

Oh yeah...I'm Caucasian. So I'm sort-of worried about racial discrimination (I see black women with dreads in hospitals all the time).

Thanks for any help/advice you can give me.

-Ryan

[cassioo]

it would depend on where you want to work. Most schools have a dress code so check the one at your school. For work or school hair should be worn back no matter you race or sex. They are stricter I think in small rural hospitals. I would think in Bloomington it should be ok as long as the locks don't dangle but get out to the country you might have a problem. The black women in my hospital do wear long braids but they are pulled back no locks for them. My hospital policy says only 1 pair of earrings, 2 rings, no braclets and not hanging necklace. I go into the OR so no nailpolish either and our hospital does stick with those policies

[grapejam88]

I say keep it clean and professional looking and go for it. I am all about the clean and neat and less about the length. Post a pic of you get away with this!

[Blue44deuce]

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, I plan on keeping it pulled back. That wouldn't be an issue at all. I have a problem with hair dangling down in front of my face, anyway.

I'll check the dress code and talk to some professors. Hopefully this will all work out.

Here is a pic of me, as I currently look. http://portfolio.iu.edu/rmcdonno/Party_Chop_4.jpg

Oh yeah...I plan on working in an ICU.

[grapejam88]

Yeah!!! ICU!! I work ICU and we really need more men to help balance the genders! For me, it's not about adding muscle (as some rude people put it), it's about creating a less female-dominated / female stereo-typed role and make it more balanced. Good luck.

[1mg.epi]

Hay man, go for the locks. I shave my head. I would say shaving is a over the top hair style.

[germanRN]

please spare yourself disrespect by patients, their families and colleagues. In the workplace your appearance needs to be low key. period.

[joe m m]

Hi. I would not cut my hair. I have had dreads for a few years but I am only doing some pre-nursing stuff.I started doing mine was sleeping in my car in boulder colorado, got out the shower from the university of colorado enginnering building. I looked at the mirror was not going to comb my hair. That was june of 2002. I am thinking about cutting mine. I have not worked for while doing anything. I have not had a job for a while. I have been going to school, not a job a part time job to support myself.
If you do it you can keep yourself clean. You are going to look like a wet fish if your hair is short, if it long find someone that will do it for you.
I have seen a few people who have them. I was checking out the VA Hospital for future reference they wanted me to cut hair if I was going to work for them. They say you represent the US goverment. I said the goverment is made up with people and they are the goverment.<font color="brown">Text</font>[font=Geneva]Text[/f]