I am a 22 year old male I have my ears pierced for awhile but since I have started med school I have been given very negative looks and reactions from patients, colleagues, and superiors. I have decided to stop wearing earrings because of this. I am going to just let them heal up and never get them re-pierced. I don't believe in the whole dont wear to work thing becuase what I do is who I am. Its not just a 9-5 job liek working at McDonalds or Wal-Mart. Am I right in my thinking and decision? I have also noticed women in healthcare dont like it either (especially those who I would have interest in dating).
2006-09-12 10:37:40 · 10 answers · asked by Trojan8408 5 in Beauty & Style ➔ Fashion & Accessories
I totally understand what you are getting at. When I began nursing (10years ago) I had my nose pierced and my hair was dyed bright red....It didn't make me a bad nurse, and I certainly didn't want to steal anyone's handbag! But unfortunately, the stereotypes are there....
Needless to say my hair is now my natural colour, and the hole in my nose has closed....
I'm still proud to own my doc martins though....
Good Luck trying to convert the white collars!!!!!
2006-09-12 10:46:41 · answer #1 · answered by Bodieann 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dated a doctor a little while back, he too had an ear pierced (just one side). This didn't bother me but I did ask him if he has gotten any negative feedback in regards to the pierce. He says people look, one patient said something and stormed out but he didn't mind. (He owned the clinic.) He said that he's a 5 star doctor with or with out the earring and if his patients/colleagues didn't like it then they can see someone else. He was totally confident with who he was and wasn't willing to take it off. That they'd have to accept it if they wanted to see him / work with him. Why would you want to see a woman that was prejudice anyway?
On the other hand you aren't him. It is up to you what you value more. Under some circumstances it is unprofessional, however you are still just in med school.
You have the option of leaving the earring in at all times until you're done with the books, then you can take them off during work. My holes have never healed on me. I'm sure you'd be able to find something to substitue the earring with during hours if you think it'll close up.
2006-09-12 18:03:12 · answer #2 · answered by auniquekind 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right in removing the earrings. You can wear them when you aren't at work though, no need to let the holes close if that's who you are on your time off.
I think earrings on an MD is kind of like long hair or a long beard. Most people, even if they don't like these things, just give passing notice to them on a person walking down the street.
But a doctor is someone patients would like to see as being absolutely serious, scholarly, and not at all frivolous. Patients also don't usually imagine the doctor having any sort of life outside of their job ;)
2006-09-12 18:00:08 · answer #3 · answered by BB 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In certain settings, it is appropriate to wear certain things and not others. It is fine that you have pierced ears, but it is not professional to wear them at work. I would not wear a lip-ring to the office for the same reason. Just like I would not wear a mini-skirt. It is just not appropriate at work.
Sometimes I had to take my nose stud (very small) out when I met with clients who may be affected by it, but that's OK. Not everyone will feel the same about it, but it is always best (especially for a doctor) when everyone feels comfortable with you. There is no reason that you should risk making a sweet old lady nervous about being treated by you because you want to express who you are by wearing an earring. Even if you had a mo-hawk, you would probably not spike it up to go to work, so you should treat the earring the same way.
It is your patient's opinions that will keep you in business, just like brand image is to a company, your image is to you.
2006-09-12 17:59:24 · answer #4 · answered by Sta-wizzle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Women doctors wear have earrings.
Anyway, what makes you think everyone is making strange looks at you because you have earrings? Are lots of people actually coming to speak to you about how they feel about your earrings? You're probably just overreacting. However, i do think that long dangly earrings may not be wise to wear if you use a stethoscope often. You don't want to end up yanking one out! Gross!
2006-09-12 17:46:46 · answer #5 · answered by mrossi330 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was a nurse, and i have to say that for a layperson to have piercings does not bother me, but I do agree with your decision not to wear them while at work, etc. It is a double standard, I know. I can't even explain it myself, but I have problems with people of authority wearing them. I have tattoos that I keep covered, and I did have a brow piercing, but I would never have worn it to school or work. However if you like them there is nothing wrong with you wearing them at home or recreation time.
2006-09-12 17:46:20 · answer #6 · answered by el 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No... The whole pierced ear thing is so faddish. It smacks of not accepting yourself. Patients want to be confident that their doctor is confident of him (her) self.
2006-09-12 17:43:29 · answer #7 · answered by bwlobo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
for now. once you are a practicing physcian... you can wear what you want.. i have had a doctor and dentist who had a pierced ear. if he or she is good at what they do... i do not care. i would understand..if your hair was purple or something. but a nice gold or diamond earring is in fashion.
2006-09-12 18:01:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldn't mind if my doctor had earrings.... but if most patients do then you are making the right decision.. as a doctor it is your responsibility to make patients feel comfortable
2006-09-12 17:43:48 · answer #9 · answered by myheartisjames 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't have a problem taking them out then that is all that matters.
2006-09-12 17:40:49 · answer #10 · answered by MartMo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋