Okay, so I’ve been thinking a lot about this whole “can nurses have tattoos” thing, especially here in Lancaster, CA, at the Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC). I’m a nurse myself, and I’ve got a few tattoos. Nothing crazy, but they’re there. I started doing some digging to see what the deal was.
First Steps: Checking the Official Stuff
First things first, I went straight to the source. I dug through the AVMC employee handbook, you know, that giant thing they give you when you start. I skimmed through all those pages, looking for anything about tattoos or body art.
- Sifting Through Policies: Honestly, it was a bit of a snooze fest. Lots of jargon and stuff about professional conduct.
- Finding the Tattoo Section: Finally, I found something! There was a small section talking about appearance and dress code. It mentioned tattoos, but it wasn’t super clear.
Basically, it said something about tattoos needing to be “appropriate” and not “offensive.” Okay, that’s vague, right? What’s “appropriate”? What’s “offensive”? It’s all subjective.
Talking to Colleagues
So, the handbook didn’t give me the solid answers I was looking for. Next, I decided to chat with some of my coworkers, especially those with visible tattoos. I figured they’d have some firsthand experience.
- Casual Conversations: I brought it up casually during lunch breaks and between shifts. Just a simple, “Hey, what’s your experience been like having tattoos here?”
- Different Perspectives: I got a mix of responses. Some nurses said they’d never had any issues. Others mentioned covering them up during interviews or when dealing with certain patients.
It seemed like most people were playing it safe, covering their tattoos when they felt it was necessary. No one had gotten in any real trouble, but they weren’t taking any chances.
Reaching Out to HR (My Least Favorite Part)
I know, I know, nobody likes talking to HR. But I figured I needed a more official stance. So, I sent an email, asking for clarification on the tattoo policy.
- Waiting Game: It took a few days, but I finally got a response.
- More of the Same: The answer was pretty much the same as what was in the handbook. “Appropriate,” “non-offensive,” blah blah blah. They suggested covering them up if I was concerned.
My Conclusion (For Now)
So, after all this, here’s what I’ve gathered: AVMC doesn’t have a super strict “no tattoo” policy. But they do expect nurses to use their judgment. If you’ve got a tattoo that might be seen as offensive or unprofessional, it’s probably best to cover it up. If I consider getting any new tattoos, I’ll have to make sure it can be covered.
For me, I’m going to keep my small tattoos and just be mindful of the situation. If I’m dealing with a patient who seems uncomfortable, I’ll cover them up. It’s all about being respectful and professional, right?
I decided to wear long sleeves during work shifts to avoid any potential issues. When I got home, I felt satisfied with my research and precautions, knowing I was doing my best to adhere to the somewhat unclear guidelines.
Anyways, that’s my little adventure into the world of tattoos and nursing at AVMC. Hope this helps anyone else wondering about the same thing!
