Tattoos in the Nursing Profession
Nurses’ relationships with patients depend on clear communication of patient education, instructions, and essential healthcare information. Though situational, how we appear to patients, families, or communities may “speak” too loudly.
Nursing in the Ink: Understanding Patient-Caregiver Dynamics Amidst Tattoos and Body Art
The popularity of body art, including tattoos and body piercings, has been steadily increasing for several decades. What was formerly commonly associated with military personnel, criminals, and gangs has evolved into a ubiquitous expression of individualism and an art form that transforms one’s body into a canvas. Motivations for acquiring body art are varied. Spiritual, political, and societal causes and the need for self-expression can initiate a visit to a tattoo artist. But can nurses have tattoos?
As is true with all forms of artistic expression, art appreciation is highly subjective. What may be pleasing to the eye of one individual may be perceived as offensive, repulsive, hurtful or embarrassing to another. Encounters between nurses and patients are often random.
Patients are vulnerable to forced interactions with whoever presents as a caregiver. If, during the exchange, the patient is uncomfortable, offended, or frightened by the appearance of a caregiver, the interaction often fails, placing the organization in a position to defend the quality of services it provides and its reputation as a provider.
How Do I Know What Body Parts Are Permissible?
In response to the rising popularity of body art in society, healthcare organizations as employers, have been forced to minimize the risk of those seeking care having an encounter that can be perceived as offensive or harmful. In most cases, this has been accomplished through adding clauses related to tattoos to existing “Dress Code” policies.
Though these policies generally apply to all employees of an organization, there may be department-specific restrictions. These policies are most frequently found in the Human Resource manual or Employee Handbook. For example, a nurse working in a behavioral health setting should become familiar with department-specific policies related to body art.
I Want to Express Myself With Some Tattoos. How Do I Keep It From Being “Too Loud”?
Remembering the importance of minimizing distractions when interacting with patients is a great place to start. Choices in subject matter and location of body art can impact your career in the short- and long-term. Here are some tips to avoid regretting your decision:
- Avoid tattoos on difficult-to-conceal areas of the body, such as the face, scalp, neck, hands, and forearms.
- Know your patient population and potential patient populations. Avoid controversial spiritual, political and societal subject matter on body parts that are difficult to conceal with standard healthcare attire.
- Keep in mind that patients present with a wide variation of anxiety, cognition, orientation and consciousness. Hence, images perceived as frightening should be avoided in areas of the body that cannot be concealed.
It’s Too Late! I Already Adorned My Canvas!
The first step is to be cognizant of body art’s impact on therapeutic interactions with patients. Here are some recommendations:
- Please check your organization’s Dress Code policy to ensure you are not violating it. Then, discuss the policy with your supervisor to verify your understanding and determine your compliance status.
- Seek an objective opinion of your artwork from a trusted colleague or co-worker.
- Be perceptive! If patients demonstrate verbal or nonverbal unfavorable responses during the introduction, you may consider concealing the art even if it does not violate policy.
In summary, building therapeutic relationships with patients is a cornerstone of the nursing profession. Training and experience prepare nurses to contribute positively to patients’ well-being. Though professionals have the right to express themselves through body art of their choosing, it is essential to avoid having physical presentation create unwanted distractions that overshadow or distort the message.
Can Nurses Have Tattoos?
Can nurses in the US have tattoos? The short answer is yes. However, many variables, such as hospital policy and the state of residency, may affect this.
So, to better answer this question, we’ll look at hospital policy, patients’ perceptions, instances when tattoos may be deemed offensive, and how to make life easy as a nursing professional with tattoos.
What to Consider Before Getting a Tattoo as a Nurse?
1. Hospital Policy About Tattoos
Hospital policy determines whether or not nurses can have visible tattoos in the US.
The same applies to clinics, nursing homes, and sometimes medical schools. In some hospitals, the policy rules are stricter than in others.
For instance, some hospitals require you to cover visible tattoos completely during working hours.
Other policies may determine where in your body you can and can’t have body piercings and visible body art such as tattoos.
Hospital policy varies from facility to facility, so you must consult the management on rules regarding tattoos.
If you have visible body art on your face, hands, and neck, you may encounter problems.
2. Patient Perception
Although image has always been a fundamental aspect of nursing practice, professionalism and quality of care are more important to patients than healthcare providers’ physical appearance, including tattoos or unconventional looks.
For instance, one who wears blue, purple, or white scrubs as opposed to one with piercings on the face, striking hair color, and visible neck tattoos.
Some studies have compared patients’ perceptions of nurses and doctors with and without visible body art.
Surprisingly, the results indicate that patients are more focused on the care they get than the appearance of the person administering the care.
However, the idea of being presentable lies in the principles of nurses and health practitioners upholding a professional image during working hours.
3. Instances When Tattoos are Deemed Unacceptable
When the Tattoo is Large
If a tattoo covers the entirety of your arm, you may have issues in the nursing profession. The nursing industry is lenient, but only to an extent.
However, while a tattoo that fully covers your arms or neck can cause problems in the workplace, some employers and hospital administrators indicate that they have no issue with it as long as the ink is fully covered during working hours.
When the Tattoo is Offensive
Tattoos with offensive images are not acceptable in the nursing profession.
For instance, tattoos with insulting imagery such as racial slurs, nudity, or implying criminal offense or gang affiliation can be problematic in nursing practice.
If you have such tattoos, it would be best to cover them up because your colleagues and patients will consider them absurd and unprofessional.
What Tattoos Can a Nursing Professional Have?
If you’re a nurse and want to get a tattoo, you should consult the hospital’s management about the policy.
If your employer is okay with getting tattoos and has no unusual requests, here is how to get a tattoo that won’t cause problems.
What Kind of Tattoo Design a Nurse Should Have?
Avoid tattoos with provocative designs. Potentially offensive tattoos, such as those with negative symbols, will most likely land you in problems at work.
Does the Placement of the Tattoo Matter?
Yes. visibility concerns for tattoos in healthcare settings primarily focus on highly visible areas like the face and neck; arm tattoos are often considered acceptable if they can be covered by standard medical attire or are not deemed offensive. Go for a more hidden placement that you can cover during working hours.
This way, you can avoid patients making complaints regarding your body art even if your employer is okay with it.
Does the Size of the Tattoo Matter?
Taking into consideration the design and placement of the tattoo, the acceptability of tattoo size in exposed areas varies by workplace policy rather than a universal rule; some healthcare settings may allow larger tattoos in exposed areas as long as they are not offensive or overly distracting.
If you want to have it in a hidden area, such as your back or chest, there's no limit to how big you can go.
Final Thought
To sum it all up, although hospitals are aware of the decreasing stigma against tattoos, the stigma isn’t done and dusted.
Even progressive facilities, such as the Mayo Clinic that don’t require tattoo coverage have restrictions on the type of tattoos that can be visible.
See Also
How to Get Transplant Nurse Certification
How to Deal With Rude Patients as a Nurse
Grants for Medical Professionals
Can Nurse Practitioners Prescribe
Nurse Practitioner Salary in the US
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