Nose piercings and interviews!?

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LaurenElle

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So I'm going to be applying to medical schools soon and I really want a small nose stud. The medical schools that I am applying to have a strict dress code and does not allow any visible facial piercings. For interviews and such, could I get away with putting in a clear or flesh colored retainer? Or would it be best to just take it out?
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LaurenElle said:
So I'm going to be applying to medical schools soon and I really want a small nose stud. The medical schools that I am applying to have a strict dress code and does not allow any visible facial piercings. For interviews and such, could I get away with putting in a clear or flesh colored retainer? Or would it be best to just take it out?
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I think you should abandon the idea of getting a face piercing. It won't fly when you are in medical school, let alone for interviews.
I always wanted to pierce my eyebrow, and I just jumped ship with that idea when I decided to apply to medical school.
I recommend you do the same.
 
LaurenElle said:
So I'm going to be applying to medical schools soon and I really want a small nose stud. The medical schools that I am applying to have a strict dress code and does not allow any visible facial piercings. For interviews and such, could I get away with putting in a clear or flesh colored retainer? Or would it be best to just take it out?
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I think the fact that they don't allow visible facial piercings and you would have to do this for all four years of your medical school education would be sufficient reason not to get one in the first place.
 
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LaurenElle said:
So I'm going to be applying to medical schools soon and I really want a small nose stud. The medical schools that I am applying to have a strict dress code and does not allow any visible facial piercings. For interviews and such, could I get away with putting in a clear or flesh colored retainer? Or would it be best to just take it out?
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Really questioning your judgement here.
 
I have some sympathy for people who get facial piercings when they're younger and then decide to go to medical school and ask what they should do to best cover them up. But if you already know you want to go to medical school and don't yet have a facial piercing the answer is obvious--just don't get one.
 
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One of my professors conducts interviews for my school's medical school. He has told us that he will reject any applicant he interviews who has a facial piercing or visible tattoo. I'd hold off on the nose piercing if I were you!
 
I agree with what everyone is saying here. Facial piercings are simply unprofessional, and you would likely have to deal with hiding it or covering it up even beyond medical school. Just don't get one.
 
RogueUnicorn said:
Really questioning your judgement here.
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This. Not really following your logic, OP. If your school has a strict dress code and doesn't allow piercings, what are you going to do when you're attending said school? It will be so much more of a hassle to conceal it every time you're doing something at the school, not to mention 3rd and 4th years.
 
Why risk it? Take it out for the interview definitely, if not permanently. I've had my nose pierced since I was 16 (28 now). That sucker is DEFINITELY coming out before interviews. It's just not worth it to risk it.
 
I've never seen a doctor before with one in practice. That itself should tell you what you need to know.
 
LaurenElle said:
So I'm going to be applying to medical schools soon and I really want a small nose stud. The medical schools that I am applying to have a strict dress code and does not allow any visible facial piercings. For interviews and such, could I get away with putting in a clear or flesh colored retainer? Or would it be best to just take it out?
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I was in a similar situation in my application process. I'd been planning on getting a full facial tribal tattoo of some sort. Nothing in the student handbooks seemed to expressly forbid it, and, with enough foundation, I could easily cover it up on rotations pretty much every day, and once I opened my own practice, it's not like I would discriminate in hiring myself. I then realized I had eaten some bad seafood and was tripping balls.

Medicine is a very conservative institution. If you want in, you have to be able to play by a few very small rules, such as not punching holes in your face, not using drugs (even if the particular drug is legal in your state), not participating in adult films, and not committing felonies. Not that any premeds have asked these questions recently, because really, this stuff is common sense in the professional world. Right? Anyone?
 
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Mad Jack said:
I work with a few female Indian physicians that have nose piercings, but that's pretty much it.
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I think something cultural like this would be an exception they would make. I don't think OP will have any luck with facial piercing otherwise.
 
Why not get a tongue piercing instead? It wouldn't even show up in the photo you attach to the applications.
 
Now, the OP's case is indeed a bit ridiculous given the schools she's applying to, but facial piercings that aren't obscene are not that uncommon, even in medical school anymore. Just throwin that out there.
 
RogueUnicorn said:
Now, the OP's case is indeed a bit ridiculous given the schools she's applying to, but facial piercings that aren't obscene are not that uncommon, even in medical school anymore. Just throwin that out there.
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Agreed. I know several classmates and physicians with nose piercings. I still think it would be best to remove it for all interviews in case you end up with a conservative interviewer, but if the school allows facial piercings in general, it shouldn't be a problem.
 
RogueUnicorn said:
Now, the OP's case is indeed a bit ridiculous given the schools she's applying to, but facial piercings that aren't obscene are not that uncommon, even in medical school anymore. Just throwin that out there.
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Before getting something so obvious as a facial piercing or easily visible tattoo, a person should ask themselves: will this improve my perception among my supervisors, professors, patients, and peers? What image am I broadcasting? Will the positive aspects of altering my body outweigh the negative affects that might occur due to the way people perceive me?

I don't mind 'em, personally. But there are those that are old school, particularly older patients, supervisors, and professors. Having patient trust is particularly critical for a physician, and anything that might undermine this trust can have negative impacts on the outcomes of those that are under your care. It's hard enough for some younger women to be taken seriously in medicine, don't give yourself another barrier.
 
Mad Jack said:
Before getting something so obvious as a facial piercing or easily visible tattoo, a person should ask themselves: will this improve my perception among my supervisors, professors, patients, and peers? What image am I broadcasting? Will the positive aspects of altering my body outweigh the negative affects that might occur due to the way people perceive me?

I don't mind 'em, personally. But there are those that are old school, particularly older patients, supervisors, and professors. Having patient trust is particularly critical for a physician, and anything that might undermine this trust can have negative impacts on the outcomes of those that are under your care. It's hard enough for some younger women to be taken seriously in medicine, don't give yourself another barrier.
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I agree that's important, but also important is what you want to do with the one body that you have. It's a judgement call and a risk v benefit decision, but I do think it's a real decision and not a black-and-white case. Unless you know, you're exclusively applying to schools that don't allow piercings of any kind.
 
RogueUnicorn said:
I agree that's important, but also important is what you want to do with the one body that you have. It's a judgement call and a risk v benefit decision, but I do think it's a real decision and not a black-and-white case. Unless you know, you're exclusively applying to schools that don't allow piercings of any kind.
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Yeah, OPs case is a cut and dry no. In general though, I am not a fan of the millenial "it's my body I should be able to do what I want to it and expect absolutely no consequences or judgement" attitude. There are a few tattoos I want, but I will not get them until after I begin residency, because I know my shirt is going to be off during OMM lab. I'm all for doing what you want with the parts of your body that aren't readily visible, but believe a good deal of care and discretion should be applied to anything people at work will see.

For women, it is a much more difficult balancing act than men. Being taken seriously as a young doctor is difficult (after some of the younger docs leave, patients will frequently say things like, "was that doctor even finished with high school?" Etc.). Then you have to deal with the sexist biases inherent in our culture, which have been established in numerous studies. Both males and females in the sciences rate their male peers as more competent on average than their female ones, and hiring managers rate applications with the exact same qualifications but a sexually ambiguous name as more impressive if the applicant states they are male versus female. Finally, you have to deal with the whole looking good but not too good BS that all female professionals have to deal with. Women who wear makeup are viewed as more competent than those that do not, but women that wear anything even slightly sexually suggestive tend to draw negative comments from patients and peers alike (I've heard everything from "did she just leave the club or something?" to "I never trust a doctor that wears high heels"). Perception is everything, and the world is far more forgiving to men than it is to women, so be careful with the image you project. The world doesn't care about what a unique snowflake you are and will subtly judge the **** out of you if you play your cards wrong.
 
RogueUnicorn said:
Now, the OP's case is indeed a bit ridiculous given the schools she's applying to, but facial piercings that aren't obscene are not that uncommon, even in medical school anymore. Just throwin that out there.
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Agree. I have a small nose stud that I have left in for all my interviews and it hasn't seemed to be a problem.

But if the school has a strict code, I'd hold off OP.
 
LaurenElle said:
So I'm going to be applying to medical schools soon and I really want a small nose stud. The medical schools that I am applying to have a strict dress code and does not allow any visible facial piercings. For interviews and such, could I get away with putting in a clear or flesh colored retainer? Or would it be best to just take it out?
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Here's the solution: nipple rings and a Prince Albert
 
If it's for cultural reasons then I don't see the problem. If it's not then I wouldn't. I have tattoos but they are all covered in scrubs. As a woman you have to be aware of the fact that many people are not going to take you seriously. Having a nose ring is only going to exacerbate the problem.
 
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touchpause13 said:
If it's for cultural reasons then I don't see the problem. If it's not then I wouldn't. I have tattoos but they are all covered in scrubs. As a woman you have to be aware of the fact that many people are not going to take you seriously. Having a nose ring is only going to exasperate exacerbate the problem.
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This mistake exasperates me (not really).

touchpause13 said:
Hey. I'm the designated pervert around here
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Well, there was a void to fill, and you weren't around. Or in this case, create voids and stick metal objects in them.


Mornhavon said:
Piercings = *****
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Yeah, I totally look for a girl's earrings when I want to hookup. Total dead giveaway.
 
MedWonk said:
This mistake exasperates me (not really).



Well, there was a void to fill, and you weren't around. Or in this case, create voids and stick metal objects in them.
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Damn auto correct my b
 
MedWonk said:
Well, there was a void to fill, and you weren't around. Or in this case, create voids and stick metal objects in them.

.
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You know I really want to take this and run with it, but I realize it's not exactly going to help in the "touchpause13 is not a *****" department
 
touchpause13 said:
You know I really want to take this and run with it, but I realize it's not exactly going to help in the "touchpause13 is not a *****" department
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But it was set up beautifully just for you out of respect for your reputation!
 
Screw it.

I've never had anyone complain about my voids before :naughty:
 
Never understood why people decide to get disgusting facial piercings. A tiny nose piercing for a girl is generally OK (except in any sort of professional environment, obv). Anything other than that makes people look like complete freakshows. Find other ways to "express yourself."
 
Chipster. said:
Don't worry about him touchpause- this is coming from someone who recently asked if med school bumperstickers will get him girls. I think he's turning his sexual frustration into misogynistic rage.
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Most guys that are bothered by "******" are really just upset that the girls are sleeping with everyone but them. A guy who's getting some doesn't care how much sex other people are having.
 
I have a nose ring that I've had since I was 18. I've worn it at job interviews (and been hired) and in clinical settings. I did remove it for my med admissions, but I saw lots of med students with nose piercings. If you want to get one, I recommend waiting until after the interview season. Nose piercings heal and close quickly so it'd be a waste of money to have it close on an interview day.
 
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