The tattoo: a story all its own

Virtual body art via Photobooth
by Gail M. Pfeifer, RN, MA

I recently completed a news piece on the issue of tattoos and piercings in health care professionals (HCPs). It seems that younger folks entering the health care professions tend to be more inclined to have tattoos than older folks, like Baby Boomers. As younger HCPs care for older patients (those Baby Boomers), what will the repercussions be? While researching the topic, I learned that the workplace issue is not specific to HCPs, but runs the gamut of professions, from chefs to casino employees. Several Web sites offer advice on the etiquette of tattoos, piercings, or both, in the workplace. (See one such site here.) As a nurse, what is your opinion on displaying body art? What should take priority, your freedom of expression or your patients’ feelings and preferences? What is your experience with management on this issue in your workplace? If you display body art, how do your patients react to it? Now there’s a story to tell.