Piercing and Tattoo

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Gemma Burden RVN — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:30:24 GMT

[quote user="Julie-Anne Harrison"]

I initially offered to wear retainers and no-one in at my work knew about my tattoos until a few weeks after I'd started as I also chose to wear long sleeves

My choice to have tattoos and piercings doesn't affect what type of nurse I am. If a client does notice them, they tend to react with curiosity, not disgust.

[/quote]

I think retainers can actually look worse than the piercing itself. I got one for my tongue when I had it done incase I ended up having to take it out for work, and aside from not being over comfortable and the o ring being impossible to put on, where it was clear it made it really obvious there was a hole in my tongue. Luckily I have never had to use it. I have also found that clients have never reacted badly, most have more more curious about whether or not it hurt and if it gets in the way when I eat. Even my 92 year old gran didn't have a problem with it (my mum actually had a worse reaction when I showed her), she thought it was funny.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Julie-Anne Wilson — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:37:12 GMT

I completely agree with you EmmRAR. I initially offered to wear retainers and no-one in at my work knew about my tattoos until a few weeks after I'd started as I also chose to wear long sleeves. It would be great to work in a place that would let me wear just my scrub top in at work but my present employers would prefer me to have my arms covered. I'm unsure as to whether it's the extent of my coverage they have a problem with or if it's the tattoos themselves.

My choice to have tattoos and piercings doesn't affect what type of nurse I am. If a client does notice them, they tend to react with curiosity, not disgust.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

emmRAR — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:30:53 GMT

I am covered in piercings, I've lost count of how many I have, 30-odd. The only ones work asked me to remove were my lip piercings, which I understand. I wear in two nose piercings and neither my employer nor any clients have complained about it. Same with my ears, I have around 10 piercings in each ear (I think!) and they haven't caused an health and safety issues, nor attracted unwanted attention.

I like the fact that my employers are quite flexible about it - it's nice to be able to prove that piercings and tattoos don't make you any less of a nurse!

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

emilyjane — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:11:30 GMT

Our staff rule book states no tattoos on show, makeup to be natural and sensible ear piercings only. I do think it looks more professional to keep it this way too. I'm not against any of the above, but I do think as a professional it should be covered up.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Emma Clark — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:13:15 GMT

I think it really does depend on where you work. All of my tattoos are hidden by clothes but other staff where i work have visible wrist tattoos and don;t cover them up. I also wear 9 piercings in each ear (Including 8mm plugs), my hair is always tied back so they are always visible. My current employer has no problem with me wearing them and nor did my previous employer. I've even had a client start a rather in depth discussion with me about piercings in a nurse clinic once and wanted to know where I thought was the best piercers to go in the area!!!

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

zara — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:59:02 GMT

I have my tongue, lower ears and upper right ear pierced - never had any issues in the places i have worked

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Steph Worsley — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:35:20 GMT

I have 3 tattoos, all in areas that are hidden when in my uniform (will never wear a dress again though at work lol) each time I have planned a tattoo I have thought long and hard about where they are going to go and how it would impact at work.

Even though I have no problems with tattoos at all, I think professionally there has to be a line drawn (yes I know it doesn't impact on how well you do the job but it is peoples perceptions)

with more and more places becoming more aware of infection control there will be more places stopping the use of long sleeved tops, we are not allowed to wear anything below the elbow for example. and hair has to be tied back

so upper arm /back/torso and leg tattoos are fine in my opinion

piercings can be a health and safety issue and i personally think again professionally only a single pair of studs should be worn for work.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Caro Laithwaite VN — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:21:46 GMT

I am old fashioned don't mind tattoos on men "if good ones" home made look tacky but don't like to see any on females. And a for piercings 1 per lobe in ears ok and if Hindu nose is fine otherwise l don't like all over like people have. Having said that l like watching Miami Ink they are amazing.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Julie-Anne Wilson — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:09:38 GMT

Only problem with that is that most practices would want you to tie your hair back if it's long.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:51:59 GMT

Thanks a lot to everybody!

I think that I could hide my nose piercing and maybe put something in light wood color in my ear\lobes. Keep my hair down the shoulders and wear long sleeves, these are my compromise!

I think my body mood don't tamper with my work skills. Or maybe they would be an obstacle?

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

therainyj — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:44:16 GMT

Hey,

I find most places are ok with (reasonable) piercings/tattoos/hair colour initially because they have agreed to hire you looking like you do! Keep these low key for interviews and whilst at work because as much as you love them, not everyone does. It is important to appear professional, which means sticking to a uniform and dress code (It's still OK for me to wear my Metallica t-shirt, but under my uniform!).
I have noticed, however, that most employers are less tolerant of you getting new piercings/tattoos/bright hair colours once you are employed. Make sure you check the company policy before getting inked/pierced in a visible place.
I think a point also needs to be made about wearing tonnes of make up at work (low-key is fine imo). Not necessary and not very professional if you look like you're about to go on a night out. At least most tattoos/piercings can be covered up/taken out.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:43:13 GMT

Nice picture, but I do notice he's wearing a long sleeve coat in his "workplace attire" - and making people defensive about noticing your tats isn't the tactic I'd choose to encourage acceptance about your life choices...that's just my 2 cents, of course.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Katie Mansfield — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:31:51 GMT

I have 22 piercings and 3 tattoos. RVC asked us to remove all piercings and cover tattoos for work placement, not only on professional environment grounds but also cos of health and safety. I must say I tend to agree as I have previously had an earring ripped out on a step-ladder and my belly piercing ripped when it got caught on the lawnmower (don't cringe - it didn't hurt, but I was gutted as it had survived 4 pregnancies!!!!). I don't wear any jewelery to work now just in case, not even my wedding ring.

I'm afraid I don't agree with a previous poster who said people are more used to it in this day and age. Round my way people are more conservative - poss because it's an older age range population. This pic I found on fb the other day really says it tho:

K x

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Gemma Burden RVN — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:05:31 GMT

I got my tongue pierced when I was working at my previous practice and had got to the stage where I was so annoyed with things that I didn't care what my boss thought. It took him three months to notice it, so although I know he would have had a problem if he had notice it sooner, he was unable to say that it wasn't subtle and just told me he wouldn't accept more piercings. When I moved practice I didn't make any attempt to hide it and I had been there a couple of months before anyone noticed. They don't seem to mind as although it is the type of piercing that can make people really cringe, it really isn't that noticable. As has been said, I think a lot will depend on the individual practice.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Julie-Anne Wilson — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:36:23 GMT

I have a few facial piercings and a good lot of tattoos. I wear long sleeves to cover my tattoos and I remove my lip piercings. I have 14mm plugs in my ears as well as having both my tragus (tragi? lol) pierced and I've never been asked to remove them, possibly because they're covered by my hair. I was never asked to cover my tattoos, I did it myself but have had it mentioned to me at times, if I have my sleeves pulled up, I have to pull them back down before going in with a client.

It would all depend on the practice, in this day and age most people are more forgiving about tattoos and piercings but some practices may ask you to wear retainers. I tried retainers but kept losing the O ring on the back so eventually just started taking them out before work and then putting them back in afterwards.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Kay Eminson — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:01:57 GMT

You can get flesh coloured silicone plugs now which should help to make them look less obvious!

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

alison perfect — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:08:27 GMT

I was asked to remove my nose piercing and my last boss didn't like my tattoos on the inside of my wrist (small stars). My current boss doesn't mind as they're not huge or offensive.

Re: Piercing and Tattoo

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:16:44 GMT

It really depends on your employer. Most vet clinics (and indeed the clients) expect a professional appearance.

I suppose it depends on what your ears look like with/without them as well!