NursingLink

Hello... I'm currently a nursing student, and both of my arms are covered with tattoos. Is there anyone else in a similar predicament? Do you just wear a long-sleeved shirt under your scrubs, and have your tattoos ever hindered your job search?

One nurse I worked with just had to wear long sleeved shirts while at work. She complied, and there was no problems.

qnvictory said:

Will you tell us what the tats are? It depends on the person will is doing the hiring and how the boss feels about this. It could really go either way. I guess I had a rule of thumb when I got mine, put it (them) in a place I could show them off is I wanted, but to have them covered when not...

I can not stand them. Every time I see them I have this urge to scrub the person. My step daughter is a gorgeous girl and she is covered in tats. I know without a doubt that it has hindered her in the past with job placements. She is working in San Francisco in a funky dress shop now. What in the hell is she going to do when she is 40 or 50? I would not hire anyone as a nurse covered in tats. I am sure I am not the only one with that feeling. I feel the same way with more than one piercing in the body. One in each ear only.

I like tasteful tattoos, the art fascinates me. I had mine put in places that could be covered when I wanted and shown when appropriate. I got a butterfly put on my left breast. When I had it done I was wearing a GOOD push up bra. That night when I got home and got ready for bed the pretty butterfly turned into a long, skinny caterpillar.

cdnurse: I have to disagree. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And beauty is only skin deep. What's inside is what matters.

I have courage written on my left shoulder in asian writing

squirmals said:

I have courage written on my left shoulder in asian writing

I got the courage tat during the same time, trying to get the guts to go out on my own.

Hm... I've got lots! The ones on my upper body are:

+ large sparrows on my sternum
+ large gypsy with head covering
+ 4" pysanky (ukrainian easter eggs) on each shoulder
+ small light bulb with wrenches
+ keys and a keyhole
+ large sacred heart with shamrocks and heather
+ dios de los muertes sugar-skull
+ and a few more

... I currently work at an elementary school, and I just wear long sleeves and high collars. I've never mentioned them, no one's noticed, and it's not an issue in the slightest. I've also noticed that many of the RNs at the Planned Parenthood I would like to work at have full sleeve and chestpiece tattoos. I just wanted to see if anyone else had stories!!!

And, cdnurse, I believe that's just personal opinion and I understand that many people, especially the older generations, do not like them. As for me, when I was 4 years old, I used to draw "tattoo" designs all over my arms and legs with magic markers :)

I myself have tattoos, and want more in the future. I see nothing wrong with them at all. To me they are an art, and a form of expression. With that being said I have to admit, that I also agree with cd, when she says that appearance is important. Especially in specific professions. Nursing has always been viewed as being a very "wholesome" form of employment. Caring for the sick and ailing has been thought to be able to be done only by the "purest" of people. Tattoos are viewed more as being the "bad" side of people...associated with risk takers, and those who are rebellious. I know personally that you can't judge a book by its cover, and that art on your body can in no way determine the purity of your heart, but it is vital to this profession that one expresses him/herself in a way that is fitting to the position they choose.

And I hate to tell you, but my opinion is @_NOT_@ just an age thing...I barely past 30...that makes me pretty young, I think!

Unfortunately for those who like tattoos, there is still a substantial cultural bias against them: tattoos are equated with lower socioeconomic status, poor education, and criminal behavior. I find tattoos fascinating myself, and have seen some gorgeous examples, but I would never get one--I don't want anything on my body I can't remove.

To answer the original question, however: you should wear long sleeves when you interview and not mention your tattoos at all. Once hired, you can check hospital policies, which will probably require you to keep them covered. Anyting on the neck will need a turtle neck, collar or even makeup. On an interview you want to appear your best: professional, middle class, upwardly mobile. That may not appeal to the individualist in us all, but it is the reality we have to live with.

Whew! mine too. Society in general is more willing to forgive cultural tattoos, but even those can be frowned on in our very unforgiving society.

Yeah, I figure all of mine can be covered with scrubs and a 3/4 sleeve shirt. I'm also wondering about makeup... what kind do people use? Is it just basic concealer like some people use on their faces?

I do wonder how things will be in the future... some studies suggest that 60%+ of people 18-40 have at least one tattoo. I've noticed that, even at my college gym, the very clean-cut, fraternity, business-major types have big tribal armbands or Asian words/characters somewhere on their bodies. I feel that in general society, they are becoming more accepted, but not so much in the employment world.

I have 5 tattoos.....They are all placed in places that they can not easily be seen.. I have a huge tattoo on my leg...(pic on profile pics)....I wear mostly pants so no one really notices......I might not have gotten so many tattoos is i knew how offended some older people feel about a women with tattoos.. I feel when i get a little more respect when people view my personality rather than my tattoos......