The New Intimacy

Health Professionals with Tattoos

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Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Incendiaire
Getting a tattoo in a location that cannot easily be covered by clothing is a sign of poor judgement, so I would be a little wary.
We live in a hot climate. Getting tats that force you to wear uncomfortable, hot, coverings, so your body modifications don't show..that too strikes me as poor judgement. Either way, I don't get it. Really don't.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
I have a few tats myself so my concern is the person competent? But personally, anyone with "bad" tats (yea subjective) I find to be a distraction and if on a medical provider, I would wonder about his/her judgement skills.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Swish Swish
it may bother me if they had full body tattoos, but it wouldn't make me think any less of them, it just may make me feel antsy about their understanding of pain...
03/01/2012
Contributor: Sunshineamine Sunshineamine
As a healthcare professional with several tattoos myself I would have no problem with it at all.
03/01/2012
Contributor: squire squire
It doesn't bother me. I provide services to populations in a professional environment and I have quite a bit of my body covered with tattoos. When children see them it actually has served as a teaching moment/connecting moment, which is cool.....looks like paint one kid said....

With that said,my own opinion is that I am more comfortable with professionals having ink in areas that are less visible. With certain jobs, mine included, if one were to have a tattoo sleeve and wear short sleeve shirt it would impact the quality of care and decrease the power behind professional recommendations, not to mention run the risk of threatening more vulnerable clients. Like it or not, we make judgments of people based on appearance, and with more vulnerable populations, be it just or unjust, a person with tattoos all over looks more tough and harder when perhaps a softer appearance/look would be more beneficial in achieving a feeling of comfort for patients. My thoughts might be too far reaching,, but my experience tells me these thoughts are true.
03/01/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
I really think this may be a generational/age thing. We are "older" and as much as I know Tattoo's have become "common", they simply say something inside that makes me feel uncomfortable. First impressions are everything and ... more
For what it's worth, I had my eyebrow and tongue pierced as well as my ears gauged. I put in clear retainers which were still visible in my eyebrow and tongue and left star studs in my ears when I went to work for a very long time. I was one of the top producers in the district, even with body mods. At the time, I didn't bother covering my tattoo on my foot either. I didn't start covering things more until I got a promotion to a different position which was even more conservative than the already conservative job I held. But my previous job WAS a conservative one and I did it just fine with body mods. I even had a few clients ask me why I would do such a thing to myself, but they continued to be repeat clients of mine.

Someone covered in killer clowns or something like that may be trying to put on a "scare the world" face. I can't say I would think the same of someone who was covered head to toe in hearts and stars or teddy bears.

Many people I know who have many tattoos and piercings do know the effect it has on people. In fact, they use it to gauge who is worth speaking to. If someone doesn't want to associate with you based on appearance, they likely weren't someone that person wanted to associate with to begin with. I find it a shame that so much is still focused on the way one dresses and appears. It stifles individualism in those that would otherwise express it.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
(Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
HEADS up dear Ryuson. You say you want to be a physician. You are about to enter a VERY traditional industry where the folks JUDGING your entry into school, residency...etc, are made by people 50 to 90 years old. I promise you, if you have ANY ... more
I have one on my ankle and am thinking of getting two very small literary quotes on the fronts of my shoulders. These are both places that are covered EASILY by clothing, and are easily covered by a jacket, dark hose, medium boots, pants, and even most shirts I own. I shouldn't be interviewing in spaghetti straps and shorts anyways.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
For what it's worth, I had my eyebrow and tongue pierced as well as my ears gauged. I put in clear retainers which were still visible in my eyebrow and tongue and left star studs in my ears when I went to work for a very long time. I was one of ... more
I think you responded to that a lot better than I could have, so I'll just give it a x2 really.

I have a hard time explaining "why I would mutilate myself like that" because to me, it's not mutilation. It's adding decorations to my body. It's almost no different than choosing red over beige for my living room, except instead of being judged only by the people who I allow in my home it's being judged by everybody that can see me.

I won't really bother trying to explain the "shrapnel" in my face and body, but my tattoos are works of art. At least most of them are. If you were to see my side piece as a painting you would probably want to hang it on a wall, or would at least appreciate the artistry behind it.

I don't know, to me, it's as simple as sharing artwork with the world rather than hanging it on my wall.
03/01/2012
Contributor: SexyRayne SexyRayne
I'm going to school to be in healthcare and I have a tattoo and I plan to get more.
03/01/2012
Contributor: DiamondKoala DiamondKoala
Wow this thread really blew up since I went to sleep, YAY!! Thanks everyone for your opinions both for and against. I really do enjoy having these more animated discussions. I'd love to hear more responses from those who were responded to about your own choices in body art.

I've brought my opinion about this up before in a previous thread, but I don't really feel a person's tattoos or piercings would make him or her seem less qualified as an individual in a professional setting. This is with the previous well stated caveat that the tattoos are not designed to intentionally make the person seem threatening (swastikas, certain racist flags, various criminal acts). As long as the individual is fully qualified for the position I am willing to overlook what he or she chooses to do in their free time provided it does not interfere with their service on the job.

That being said, I am still in the younger demographic. I've had piercings and I'm getting a tattoo. It's more of a personal reminder than a statement I'm trying to convey about myself, but I might consider the latter further on in life. For me it would be a way separate who I am within my work from who I am in my free time with regards to certain situations. It is to an extent about expression in my mind because if indeed a majority of people don't have tattoos that it is something which certainly sets you apart. In competing with these medical candidates there is, as previously stated, a measure of conformity expected amongst individuals. However, the inherent problem with looking like everyone else is that you'll never be noticed. Now I'm not saying that piercings or tattoos are necessarily how you should stand out professionally, but personally it's how I know I can talk about myself as being someone different and honestly a bit more experienced in life.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Chirple Chirple
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
We live in a hot climate. Getting tats that force you to wear uncomfortable, hot, coverings, so your body modifications don't show..that too strikes me as poor judgement. Either way, I don't get it. Really don't.
I live somewhere quite cold, actually - and ever since I was a kid there were only a few days a year that I would even THINK about wearing shorts or taking off my jacket.

I think "easily concealable" depends on the climate, and I would assume that is what they were referencing - not something that needs "extra" or discomfort to hide.


Where I live, I could get tattoos all over my legs and no one would ever see them unless I wanted them to.


And for some people, it's worth wearing that extra shirt, and I don't think it reflects poorly on them if they understand the consequences are willing to deal with them. It's people who don't think who are the problem.

Something like a neck tattoo is certainly a huge professional risk. I remember that some kid didn't understand that the CIA wouldn't want someone with a conch punch because it would make them that much more identifiable. You have to think.

But on your back or your legs - these aren't going to be seen in the normal professional environment. Doctors and lawyers generally don't work in shorts or backless attire. And there are certainly more than a few of those types with a lot of tattoo work. Many keep it secret because they do have reasons that aren't exhibitionism and it's not important to them that other people know.

Take a look at Japan, there is a larger stigma on tattoos over there and yet people find there are important personal reasons to justify covering up the last traces of a body-suit before work every day. I suppose, thinking about it, is it really any worse than waking up two hours early to do your makeup and hair ?
03/01/2012
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Actually, I'd be more inclined to see a doctor with visible ink. It'd be someone I'd feel more comfortable with.
03/01/2012
Contributor: GravityEyelids GravityEyelids
Quote:
Originally posted by DiamondKoala
I'm just wondering how you personally would feel about being treated in a hospital by someone who has tattoos. To make this more specific, let's say the situation is NOT an emergency. Does how you feel change based on the amount or placement ... more
Most of the team of doctors/nurses/assista nts who took care of me while I was pregnant and during the birth of my child were tattooed. One of the nurses even had full sleeves! Tattoos don't bother me unless they look like they were done in someone's kitchen.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Lucky21 Lucky21
I don't really care. I know a number of medical professionals, who have lots of tattoos.
03/01/2012
Contributor: ap-the-aper ap-the-aper
I don't generally mind tattoos, but I would be uncomfortable with a doctor who had clearly visible nudes or tattoos on their face. Not uncomfortable enough not to accept treatment, but uncomfortable. It's hard to look someone in the eye when they have something very distracting on their cheek. *shrugs*
03/01/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
I don't care no matter what the tattoo is, because for all I know that tattoo has been branded on them, has a different meaning then usual, or is from their silly teenage days before they grew up.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Woman China Woman China
i really could care less if they have visible tattoos or not, but it does depend on what those tattoos are.

If they have a "DIE MOTHERFUCKER DIE" or a marijuana leaves around their neck, I might pause and have to think about it and probably walk away or request a different doctor. But if they have a flower or such I'd think nothing of it.
03/01/2012
Contributor: hyacinthgirl hyacinthgirl
For me it would depend on what the tattoo was. For example, something poorly done, misspelled, or overtly offensive, no. I've seen a lot of truly hideous tattoos. I've also seen a lot of nice ones, that though I do not have or want any, I can see why they got them. But I don't think I'd trust a doctor with really, really bad ink - it would suggest to me that they had poor judgement.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Lover of Leather Lover of Leather
Being a doc myself, I'd say that maybe a couple of decades ago it might have caused a little reservation by some, if not most people, not anymore though. Tatoos have become more mainstream and accepted by the majority of people. No, I don't have any tatoos, I hate needles, Ha! Go figure. But, if another doctor had a tatoo(s), it wouldn't deter me from having them work on me when needed.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Lilith Bealove Lilith Bealove
I don't care how many tattoos my doctor has as long as he/she is qualified and know what they are doing. Example: Last time I went to the ER I had a doctor that looked like he was in the middle of a sex change. Didn't bother me a bit. What did bother me was that I told him/her four or five times I am a nursing mother and he/she still prescribed me FOUR different medicines that can be transferred through breast milk and effect my baby! Can you say "dumb ass?"
03/01/2012
Contributor: aliceinthehole aliceinthehole
Quote:
Originally posted by DiamondKoala
I'm just wondering how you personally would feel about being treated in a hospital by someone who has tattoos. To make this more specific, let's say the situation is NOT an emergency. Does how you feel change based on the amount or placement ... more
i have 8 tattoos and have no problem with anyone who has as many as they like. it's their body, their choice. it doesn't affect me at all.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Kitka Kitka
If they're licensed and all that and good doctors, etc. why does it matter how they choose to decorate their body? It has no bearing on their job at all.
03/01/2012
Contributor: jokerzwild jokerzwild
I think only if they had really bad homeade/prison tats would it make a difference. That and seeing a hateful tat.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
My first instinct is to say "I don't care what kind of tattoos you have or how visible they are as long as you're qualified" but then I started thinking a bit more. The type can really make a difference in whether or not I want to ... more
I didn't think of this, but I'm glad you said this.

Most of the time, I wouldn't care if my Dr. had any tattoos. What I care about are his/her credentials, and that's really it. If he did have tattoos of swastikas or anything along those lines, I probably wouldn't care to see that person.
03/01/2012
Contributor: voenne voenne
Having tattoos says nothing definite about one's character, talent, and dedication to their profession. I think nothing of it if I'm being treated or helped by someone with tattoos, even when covered from head to toe. If it were anything vulgar, I know they'd be required to cover it up -- but if it were up to me, I wouldn't care. It's their business how they express themselves... it's just too bad some people have to see it negatively, or are fearful of it.
03/01/2012
Contributor: HugsAndBites HugsAndBites
iv got my own ink and i dont care if my doc has some too
03/01/2012
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
I have tattoos and piercings and am a responsible professional so how could I deny anyone else that right of expression? For me it's just a way of decorating what you were born with...no different than dying brown hair blonde or blonde hair red. Just because one has been done longer and has become more socially acceptable and become "normal" doesn't mean there's anything wrong with anyone that chooses to do any of it. And most of the doctors my ex-husband worked with (at the best hospital in this half of the state) had at least one tattoo and the last time I was in the ER, every single practitioner whose arms I could see had tattoos. I also had a technician with facial piercings. Granted I live in what is considered a very cultured and forward thinking part of the country so there is a fairly liberal feel about most forms of expression.

@Bignuf, your comment about being 'mutilated' and how you inferred that a once pretty girl was no longer pretty is very offensive to some people, myself included. I'm pierced, visibly inked, professional, and taken as such. I have not, at 5 months from 30 years old, experienced any prejudice based on it. While everyone is entitled to an opinion, you may want to consider how others will take it before expressing it in such terms. How would you feel if someone said the choices you made about your hair, make-up, or jewelry made someone feel so ill they couldn't eat and that they couldn't be in the same room as you?
03/01/2012
Contributor: TheSinDoll TheSinDoll
I want the best of the best. I don't care what they look like.

Don't hate.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Tork48309 Tork48309
not sure on this one.
03/01/2012
Contributor: Ms. N Ms. N
Quote:
Originally posted by DiamondKoala
I'm just wondering how you personally would feel about being treated in a hospital by someone who has tattoos. To make this more specific, let's say the situation is NOT an emergency. Does how you feel change based on the amount or placement ... more
I don't care if they are covered head to toe in tattoos. That is a non-issue for me. I would not go to a doctor who smokes though. That is much more important to me (allergies).
03/01/2012