Will getting this hinder my ability to receive this job?

Question

Well I'm going to get a tattoo when I turn 18 in Dec. Now the only thing is I'm actually thinking of becoming a family practitionist. For those of you who don't know what this is. Let's just say I'll be trying to become a doctor. Here's the deal though, I want to cover my entire right arm from below the wrist up to my elbow with a tattoo.

For people who are just gonna say, "Eww that's gross. Please **** off now, grab a gun and do us all a favor"

Either way. Would wearing long sleeves at all times on the job get rid of this possibility of me not being able to get this job? Or is stuff like this asked on the interview and asked to be viewed? Will they care as long as I can cover it up or will they judge me based on it?

I'd love some answers from experience.

I already know I can take facial peircings out and it'll be fine. I have a lip ring but when I remove the ring the scar is hardly noticeable. So that's not gonna be a problem.

Answer 1

You have an interesting question here and as with most questions like this, you are asking for an opinion, so expect all kinds of answers. I will be glad to start you off though.

Ask yourself a few important questions first...

Should the tattoo, piercings, etc. prevent you from getting and being accepted and getting this job?

No it should not. There is no reason for it to prevent you from doing anything at all but theres a flip side to this.

Your ambitions (very respectable, I must say) are to be a HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL. The operative word here is PROFESSIONAL.

I was a Marine. In that community it was accepted practice to have tattoos (within some sane limits!). Although not as complicated as being a Doctor or Practitioner, but accepted by professionals in that particular occupation.

I have a few "tats" in inconspicuous places that can be easily covered by a regular T- shirt. I have no symbolic religous, political, or ethnic designs, nothing that anyone could find remotely offensive. But some still look at me strangely just because I have them. (My father is one)

We all have views about life and individuality, and they all vary. But in keeping with the basics of being professional, do you think it would be professional to get a full sleeve as a doctor?

Think of some of the stereotypes and prejudice you will be subjecting yourself to BEFORE you even get started on your career path.

We all know that first impressions are the most important thing we can all make, and that of course is a visual impression. Suppose you had the best credentials in the field and you had to appear for an interview, and while there, your tattoo was the focus (distraction) of your interviewer and not your credentials and accomplishments. Do you think he or she would give you the job. They would most likely remember the tattoo and not your resume. Same goes for being accepted at a school. Competition will be stiff enough, why jepordize an opportunity by having something that makes you stand out and possibly lessen your chances of being accepted?

You will have patients once you complete your training. Would you want to compromise your skills and abilities over their first VISUAL impression of seeing a young Healthcare provider with a huge tattooed arm? That patient may not want to be seen by you.

I am not trying to discourage you from getting your tattoo in any way. I am not saying that you SHOULDN'T get it, but if you are serious about being a medical professional, I would reconsider getting it so soon.

Personally I could care less about tattoos, I know that just because people have tattoos doesn't mean that they are all bad (or whatever it is they think). But realistically not everyone feels that way. I have also seen many sleeves, and legs that are just plain overkill, or even plain ugly, but they aren't mine, so I guess it's not up to me to judge since it's not on my body. But I do wonder just what the hell those people were thinking when they got it.

And seriously, if you are gonna have to worry about covering it up or hiding it from someone in the name of trying to pursue your carrer, don't get it. I know that most of us get our tattoos just for ourselves, but you are still young, allow yourself the chance to succeed without added hinderances (predjudice and stereotype), it's hard enough to make it out there already, you may regret it later. You have the rest of your life to get your tattoo.
You don't neccessarily have the rest of your life to make a good start in a good career.

Answer 2

I'm in the process of becoming a paramedic, and I currently work at a private ambulance company and as a piercer. No one seems to mind my mods too much, but I limit myself on what I get right now.

I have facial piercings, as you said they can come out when it comes to interview time. I also want sleeves. I currently have one half sleeve, so that when I wear a shirt to my elbows (like my work shirt) no one can see it. I've also started on my leg, as I can't wear shorts to work, and I'll just have to wear pants to any future interviews.

Perceptions are changing, but not as quickly as some of us would like. My best advice is to make sure that you can keep your work hidden untill you are established in your career. (Long sleeves, while an option, might look a little odd in a heatwave, and cause people to wonder - but if you're willing to put up with it, go for it). Once you're in, there isn't much they can do, we all need doctors! (you should consider too that a full sleeve may be a hinderance in med school interviews, and may cause some teachers to dislike you - something my roommate is going through right now despite being an otherwise perfect student)

I plan on completing my sleeve and starting on the other one as soon as I have the job I want. It should be about 3 years from now, but this way, I get my dream job and my tats.

Answer 3

Well in my opinion I wouldnt mind if my family's Dr had a full body suit... but then again my family isnt the "norm". If you plan on wearing long sleeves for your entire career I don't see much of a problem with it unless when your sleeve moves as you move your arm Im sure it will be visible.... I have never heard of being asked if you have tattoos for any job. Bottom line Im sure most people will judge for you and make a lot of assumptions.... whether of not this will/could effect your career I can't say but you should factor in that possibility. I know telling someone to wait to get a tattoo is like talking to a wall..lol but maybe you should at least until you get into medical school... unless you know a ton of people in the medical field then you can ask them.


*edit- although he is not in the medical field my husband is heavily tattooed and that has prevented him from getting a few jobs

Answer 4

I think it depends on your area, where you'ld be based at once you get the job. What is the general consensus of people who have tats there? If it's favorable, or at least 'who cares?' then it would be easier to get the job. If it's frowned upon deeply, then it might be a problem.

But, it's a problem that could be managed easily enough. The only way they could technically get away with it is if they have a clause or something in their contract, which my second link tells you more about. Most places cannot DISCRIMINATE against you because you have a tat. Especially if you tell them it's an expression of your religion. If they say they prefer someone who doesn't have one noticable, that's when you offer keep your arms covered while at work. Then, if they truly are non-discriminatory (spelling could be off there, sorry!), then the issue would be settled then and there. If they aren't, then you could sue them and then work there anyway!

Answer 5

For now, you may want to start off with a tattoo up on your shoulder or on your back. That way, you don't have to wear long sleeves all the time. I'm not sure what the "dress code" is for med students once they are doing internships in medical settings. I think once you were out of school and working at a clinic or office, you could do whatever you wanted. Personally, I love tattoos and have six myself, and I think it would be very cool if my Doctor had tattoos!! Good luck with school!!

Answer 6

Like posted in other answers, a while ago then you would not have been able to but now and days people cannot deny people a job for tattoos otherwise they would have no employees. Also, if I went to a doctor and they had tattoos, it would not bother me at all. If it helps any, I am a dance teacher and I work with children of all ages and their parents frequently come in to watch and I have a lot of tats and I have never once lost a student or had comments about my tattoos and I am a role model for theese students. I think it would be fine.

Answer 7

I have seen MANY doctors, teachers, lawyers, business men/women without a tattoo or piercing or piercing scar/hole. If its hidden and as long as there is nothing visibly offensive in it, I think you'll be fine. If you know your field and are good and what you do, a tattoo or piercing shouldn't matter. I could care less if you were my doctor and had it, honestly, I would prefer a doctor like that.

But I think you won't have a problem, times are changing. I went in two years ago for brain surgery, the surgeon had sleeves on both arms and visible evidence of piercings.

Answer 8

im kinda in the same position
i love my tattoo's but i have to keep them covered because of the line of work i want to persue
i persoanlly dont think covering your whole arm in a tatt is a good idea if this is the job you wanna do as much as i reckon it would look cool its not a smart idea
not only will it take away from your ability to get a job in this field it costs alot of money and would take alot of time and pain.
i think its a cool idea if you wanted to be a truck driver or something like that but not a doctor.
people are harsh and i dont believe they will give you a fair chance something im experiencing now due to my facial piercings which i refuse to take out
anyway its upto you by all means just take into account what others are going to think of you.

Answer 9

I think ten or twenty years ago it would have been an absolute no no but nowadays tattoos are much more common, and it won't be such a big deal, especially if you plan to practice in say San Francisco or New York.

However, I don't think you can plan on covering up your arms all the time, especially as doctors have to WASH THEIR HANDS. Frequently.

Answer 10

You are young... if you really want to be a doctor someday think 2x or more before you get a tattoo because if you do it now hmmmm might regret it later. I am 36yo have a tattoo always hide it because i work in a hospital and not all patients or colleagues will be understanding as others.. But, still it's your decision.