These days, it seems like everybody has a tattoo. In fact, according to a 2020 study, 44 percent of United States adults have one or more tattoos somewhere on their body. As society evolves and younger generations grow up, it’s no surprise that tattoos are becoming increasingly more popular. People are beginning to embrace the ancient art form, using tattoos to show off artistic freedom, important memories, and favorite quotes. However, there are some professions that still prefer employees to be un-inked on the job. So, when it comes to nurses and tattoos, what’s the deal? The Breakdown on Nurses and Tattoos Why the Stigma? Let’s start by breaking down the negative stigma that surrounds nurses and tattoos. Tattoos have been viewed negatively in medical professions for some time now. There are two main arguments against visible tattoos on staff. While these reasons may be outdated, they are still present in the medical field in a lot of facilities across the country. 1. Association with criminal activity. Back in the day, tattoos became associated with illegal activities. Tattoos were used to show gang affiliation, criminal history, and incarceration. If someone had a visible tattoo, others often viewed them as rebellious or dangerous. While this is still a widely used form of ink in some communities, it’s not the only reason an individual would have a tattoo. Nonetheless, traditional folks still only associate tattoos with criminal behavior and rebellious tendencies. 2. They look unhygienic and unprofessional. Some individuals believe that tattoos are dirty and unhygienic. Although the tattooing process is, in itself, very safe and sanitary, some still believe that tattoos appear dirty. A lot of people also claim that tattoos are unprofessional in the work force. While this idea falls backs to more conservative times, the underlying belief still lingers in many corporate policies.  Appearing unhygienic and unprofessional  can severely impact the way your patients view you and the procedures that you have to perform for them. Are There Rules Regarding Nurses and Tattoos? Officially, there is no known or set policy regarding nurses and tattoos. Since no nursing authorities have taken a stance, the topic remains an unresolved issue. With that being said, many nursing schools and hospitals have implemented their own policies on body ink. For the most part, there’s usually some leeway when it comes to nurses and tattoos. Here are the most common policies that facilities have set. Some facilities require nurses to cover tats will working in scrubs, either with long sleeves or bandages. Some facilities only require large tattoos to be covered, allowing smaller, delicate tattoos to remain visible. Other facilities may allow tattoos, but none on the face, above the collar or below the lower arms. Some facilities prohibit tattoos of any kind. Obviously, all facilities will require inappropriate tattoos to be covered at all times. It’s a universal rule to prohibit ink that shows graphic images, nudity, gang affiliation, offensive, and political elements. Nurses interact with patients the most, so the impression they leave is very important. The nurse’s image is important for the credibility of the hospital, as this is how the patient will perceive the facility as a whole. This explains why some facilities ban tattoos – they want nurses to look “clean” while on the job. This is a controversial topic in many professions across all industries. The arguments that arise center around a facilities rights to limit their staff’s creative expression. Many facilities claim that patients are more likely to trust a “traditional” looking nurse. However, this is an outdated idea because studies show that patients care more about the quality of care rather than the appearance...