Will getting a half-sleeve tattoo hinder my future as a professional worker?

Question

I'm turning 18 soon, and have wanted a tattoo for quite a long time. Eventually, I wish to tattoo around my lower leg as well, but I was wondering how much tattoos are looked down on in a professional world? I plan on attending med school, but I can't imagine that a tattoo on the upper portion of my arm or lower part of my leg could be a problem, as it could easily be covered (as far as I know.) I don't want a tattoo to be cool, or whatever, I just think they're beautiful works of art.

Answer 1

As long as you get it on your upper arm, it wouldn't be a problem. If you're going to be a doc, then it shouldn't matter if you're covered. I've found that people don't take the time to complain about tats when they're in need of medical help.

I'm a piercer and paramedic student. I work in both fields. My tats and piercings are visible at both jobs. I've had maybe one complaint in the last 3 years of working as an ambulance attendant.

That said, I'm waiting to do full sleeves (I currently have a half sleeve - upper arm, and my leg done) untill I'm a little more established in the paramedic field.

As I said, I've been working in the heath care field for 4 years now, I've seen lots of nurses, doctors, paramedics even cops with very visible tatttoos and peircings. Things are changing, but slowly.

Keep it to tats you can reasonably cover untill you're established. Med school takes a long time, hopefully by the time you're done, it won't matter anymore.

Good luck!

Answer 2

No, it will not hinder you as a worker as your tattoo will be hidden all day anyway. Besides, I know when I see a doctor with a tattoo, I actually am happy about it. Why would I be happy about seeing a doctor with a tattoo? Because, it tells me he's not exactly an uptight person and might be easier to work with because he has probably had fun in life at some point.

Now, when I had my first son by c-section I was pretty worried. I had an older doctor who had been in the practice for like 25 years or something. Then, I saw the anesthesiologist. He had tattoos on both shoulders (he showed my husband upon request) and a couple more on his forearms. I didn't mind it at all and he was a very nice and relaxed person.

Have fun getting your half sleeve!!!! Don't worry about it affecting your career. :)

Answer 3

I have seen nurses and doctors with tattoos. i've seen cops with their arms covered in tattoos. i don't suggest you go showing it off at your interview, but i don't see why it would be a problem after you have a job. beside, i don't think you will be wearing wife beaters and shorts to work in the medical field, so you should be ok.

i work for (way too many) attorneys and i have tattoos that show. i also have plans on getting a half sleeve. i've never run into any problems.

Good luck!

and to the person who said tattoos are dangerous, yeah if you get them in a dark alley from a random person with a tattoo gun. if you don't have a tattoo, you should not tell others things you know nothing about.

Answer 4

You need to balance your two desires--if you worry about the effect of the tattoo on your professional status, why don't you look into collecting some form of art that isn't permanently attached to your body? You have the rest of your life to get a tattoo ... but if you get one now, and it does interfere with other aspects of your life (and your career is a pretty big aspect), then you will have much more trouble getting rid of it or keeping it under cover than you would have in obtaining a tattoo later in your life. ( Your medical education may give you some other things to think about as far as the wisdom of having needles full of a foreign substance injected into your skin.)
Having said all that, I personally wouldn't care at all if I found out my doctor had a tattoo.

Answer 5

I'm glad you mentioned medical school, because it changes my answer. In general, it's not a problem - what they don't see won't bother them. If you're an accountant, and you wear slacks and long sleeves, no one will ever know.

But in the medical profession, scrubs are short-sleeved... so you have a problem there. Also, my mother-in-law's employer, a reputable hospital in Southern CA, refused to hire two interns who had tattoos (not even visible tattoos). I remember that vividly, because it pissed me off. :)

Talk to some people who are in the medical field for better advice. There seems to be an issue with tats in that industry. Good luck.

Answer 6

I am a lawyer with several tattoos and have never had trouble getting a job. It is smart, of course, to make sure you have them in a place where they can be easily covered up. As a doctor, chances are you won't usually be wearing shorts sleeves at work or to interviews, so it shouldn't be a problem. Good luck!

Answer 7

there is definitely a stigma against people with tattoos. a half sleeve would conceivably be able to be hidden if you were to always wear atleast half sleeve shirts to work. i am the type of person that will only get a visible tattoo after MUCH thought, years of thought because i need to know that it is completely right for me. i say just think about it. only get it when you know that you know that you know what you want and where.

Answer 8

I personally love tattoos. I have 6 and going for 7th one soon. I don't think it would hinder your future of becoming a professional. Only your mind would do such a thing. I say go for it!

Answer 9

Tattoos in the professional world don't mix. I'm a nurse and I have seven, getting ready for the eighth tomorrow and I have to cover them while I'm at work. So get them if you want but plan on keeping them covered in the work place. But you can always show them off in when your not at work.

Answer 10

3 words:

Long Sleeve Shirts