Tattoos in the work place

[Robert F]

Originally Posted by Teeituptom

I know Vero Beach well, from the old days when I lived in Fla, mostly, cape canaveral, and daytona, and jacksonville.

This might be a little off-topic, but I just wanted to tell you, TeeitupTom that I really enjoy reading your posts, especially the ones about work getting in the way of your golf-time.
You always give me a good chuckle.

Ok, now back to topic.

[Teeituptom]

Im designing an addition to my DNR on m right chest to include no Dialysis. either.sitting in dialysis can sure mess up your golf game.

[cougarnurse]

Read this story: Students call school's policy on tattos unfair

Somethin', eh?

[Kdog]

WEll, tattos seem to be quite popular today. I don't have a problem with them,, who cares, as long as the Nurse is professional and gives great care. I've seen Doctors with them and no one tells them to cover up BECAUSE they probably wouldn't.. Hospitals need to focus on what is really important...and that is STAFFING, NURSING SUPPORT,and EDUCATION.

[SoldierNurse]

Originally Posted by Kdog

WEll, tattos seem to be quite popular today. I don't have a problem with them,, who cares, as long as the Nurse is professional and gives great care. I've seen Doctors with them and no one tells them to cover up BECAUSE they probably wouldn't.. Hospitals need to focus on what is really important...and that is STAFFING, NURSING SUPPORT,and EDUCATION.

You mention as long as the nurse is professional I suppose your taking appearance out of the equation? I'm just saying presentation can be a big part of the first impression a patient perceives about a nurse. Is that right or wrong? Not really my point. Just another hurdle a nurse must jump in the care of a patient.

[hppygr8ful]

I personally don't have a problem with tattoos on other folks. Not my style but I have seen many tats that are beautiful works of art. I also know many people with tattos who regret getting them many years later.

Way back (hard to imagine it as way back because I'll never forget it) right after 911 when everyone was trying to give blood that the Red Cross ended up throwing away a lot of blood contaminated with Hep C. Those donors had to be notified of course and it turned out that many of them (not all) had tattos with red and yellow pigments made from Asian grasses. It was not specific that the tattos themselves were the cause of the Hep C, but rather the pigments.

Still I don't see how a healed tatto on the hand would pose and infection risk, especially as almost everybody wearss gloves these days. If it was new and still healing maybe the argument for infection control could be made. I do believe that if you have tattos or piercings that are visible during an interview that the prospective employer should say something before they offer you a job, but it's also incumbant upon a job seeker who has tats to inquire about any said policy prior to accepting a job.

Peace and Namaste

Hppy

[Dfektiv]

Happy: Hep C from Asian inks.. if there is any literature on the possibility of this I am very interested. My fiancé is a tat artist (professional in a shop and signed off by a Doctor) and if there is a possibility of certain brands containing such things it is good to know.

but as far as my tats in the workplace. I have probably 1/4 of my body covered in ink. however.... you can barely see any (just a small part that extends 2" past my scrubs on my left arm) when I am wearing scrubs. I respect that some employers may be against them and although I see people with Tattoos and don't feel anything is wrong, Culturally the some of elderly have a Stigma with them. and as Nurses and NA's are we not suppose to accommodate and respect the patients Culture and beliefs even if they are not that of our own? Thats at least what I am being taught in Nursing school. Working as a Nurse (or an assistant currently) will not stop me from getting more tattoos, however it will influence where I get them and if the establishment I work for does not allow them visible I have no problem wearing long sleeve underarmour under my scrubs, Like I have to for Nursing school Clinical.

[Kdog]

WEll, SoldierNurse, I guess the patient may not like to see tatoos, so, even if I don't care, we have to follow the hospital dress code.
Good point.

[aaminah]

hello everyone,
everyone has very good points and yes, how one presents themselves is always important. clean, hair pulled back if it's long, not too much makeup or jewelry and no offensive tattoos i can agree with but like so many said, let's not judge the book by it's cover. i am happy to say that i just got my 3 month eval and got a great eval, regardless of my ink. i have the respect of my peers at work as well and have made a good reputation for myself at my workplace. all in spite of my ink.......so that's given me hope for people afterall. good luck and peace to all............

[hppygr8ful]

I'm not sure where I read the article about Asian inks ( as I said it was several years ago) It might even have been in the New York Times. I'm sure if I googled it I could probably find something. Give me a couple of days to get over this Flu (H1N1) and I see what I can find.

Peace and Namaste

Hppy