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Tattoos do not obscure healing arts

By The News Tribune

Published: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 5:13 AM CST

Should nursing schools reject applicants with visible tattoos?

We think not.

Missouri Southern State University has a policy to reject students with visible tattoos.

The rationale is some health care facilities impose similar guidelines, and the policy will prevent students from devoting time, energy and money to pursue a career where they may be ineligible. Also cited was the possibility a tattoo might transfer an infectious disease.

Policies at three local health care facilities indicate those fears are unsubstantiated.

The facilities do not forbid hiring nurses with visible tattoos. At one facility, tattoos are permissible, but employees are asked to cover them, if possible. Policies at the other two facilities require tattoos to be covered. Nurses typically wear scrubs when on duty. They may wear a long-sleeve garment under the top, a jacket, gloves or other acceptable accessories to cover otherwise visible tattoos. The requirements are included under appearance in the dress codes. No health concern is listed, as long as the tattoo has healed and the skin is intact. In the past, tattoos largely identified membership in a subculture. Sailor's tattoos indicated their travels, prison tattoos indicated an offender had served time; outlaw motorcyclists' tattoos denoted club affiliation. No longer. The tattoo has become a more common accessory, displayed by entertainers, athletes and career professionals. Health care facilities must craft reasonable policies for their employees. Similarly, universities must design sensible admissions policies. We believe the policy rejecting nursing school applicants with visible tattoos is based on flimsy reasoning. A tattoo should not obstruct pursuit of a career as a healing professional helping other people.


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