Tattoos

[E24Gose]

Hey guys,

I wanted to ask people who have gone through the application process if they had any experiences with tattoos and interviewers. I have a white tattoo on the inside of my wrist. Its white, so its not overly visible and its very personal to myself and my family. Its a small dragonfly that is not offensive and most people dont notice it, but some do. In your experience, now with clinical rotations and previously with interviews, did you feel having a tattoo that may be visible was a hindrance to you?

Thank you so much.

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[Random Anesthesiologist]

Just an MS-1, but my .02:

I think about tattoos in a customer service manner. There's a reason people with extreme tattoos and piercings aren't hired to be exposed to the general public in jobs, because it tends to turn people off.

However, small tattoos and certain piercings are becoming more socially acceptable, and I doubt you'd have any problems with the tattoo you describe.

I have no problems with tattoos, and I have a couple myself, but in hidden spots. I plan to get more, but will be mindful of how I'm perceived at work when I do. Like it or not, we're judged on many levels.

 

[hrandani]

Cover it with a watch and do not talk about it.

Like you said, it's a very personal tattoo, ergo, it only makes sense to leave it out of your public life.

 

[LeavingThisLab]

I have a black/white tattoo on my wrist as well, and just covered it up during my interview. It's not too big, but it definitely is visible. My boss is a doc, and I talked to him about it during the process.. and he just said that nowadays it's not really an issue anymore. Obviously, a naked lady on your neck would be a little obscene as you are dealing with patients that may be offended.. but something tasteful shouldn't be much of an issue.

And with yours being white -- I doubt people will even notice.. sometimes they don't even look at my wrists until much later and see mine there and it's pretty blatant.

 

[MossPoh]

It depends on the patient population and region. Obviously don't bring attention to it, but if you didn't already have one then it is better to err on the side of caution and not get one. If you already have one then do what you can to keep it discrete.

 

[J ROD]

I still think it is better not to have any tats that cant be covered easily....

 

[clanafanatic09]

I plan on getting sleeves on both of my arms and some neck tattoos.
Oh and I want to do pediatrics. 😀

 

[7starmantis]

I plan on getting sleeves on both of my arms and some neck tattoos.
Oh and I want to do pediatrics. 😀

👍

 

[PinkIvy08]

I've wanted a wrist tatt for a while. I think it's fine and easily covered by a watch or bracelet (or even sleeves, depending on their length). Really, it's not much cause for concern.

 

[Deeper1]

I work in the O.R. of a very busy level 1 trauma center that is also a branch campus for one of the medical schools in my state. I see tons of patients and I've never had a problem with my tattoos (on both my arms). In fact, most people are either genuinely curious about them or want to show you theirs. However, I agree with everyone else, cover it up for the interview. It's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[sustentacular]

Hey guys,

I wanted to ask people who have gone through the application process if they had any experiences with tattoos and interviewers. I have a white tattoo on the inside of my wrist. Its white, so its not overly visible and its very personal to myself and my family. Its a small dragonfly that is not offensive and most people dont notice it, but some do. In your experience, now with clinical rotations and previously with interviews, did you feel having a tattoo that may be visible was a hindrance to you?

Thank you so much.

side note: Could you post a picture? I'm just curious what it looks like.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I have a tat on my shoulder (so easily hidden) but I've wanted a wrist tat for a while now. i'm glad to hear that others who have them haven't run into any problems! I was planning to just get a watch with a thicker band to make sure it stays hidden. I figure that bracelets aren't appropriate in every situation, but no one's going to get mad at you for wearing a watch.

 

[futureboy]

I think you people who want to get tattoos are out of your minds. Tattoos are a major turnoff to some people, including some/most medical school interviewers. Like it or not, people make assumptions about tattoo wearers. Why risk your future career? Because you want to be cool? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

What seems like a good idea when you're 20 often ends up being a really dumb idea when you're 25 and older...

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I think you people who want to get tattoos are out of your minds. Tattoos are a major turnoff to some people, including some/most medical school interviewers. Like it or not, people make assumptions about tattoo wearers. Why risk your future career? Because you want to be cool? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

What seems like a good idea when you're 20 often ends up being a really dumb idea when you're 25 and older...

I'm pretty sure the general consensus here is that tattoos should be able to be hidden during interviews. I don't want another tattoo to be "cool", I want it because I want it. And I completely understand how other people (especially older generations) view tattoos. That's why I have considered ways to be able to hide the one I want to get.

Glad to know you know so much more than the rest of us, though. 🙄

 

[futureboy]

I'm pretty sure the general consensus here is that tattoos should be able to be hidden during interviews. I don't want another tattoo to be "cool", I want it because I want it. And I completely understand how other people (especially older generations) view tattoos. That's why I have considered ways to be able to hide the one I want to get.

Glad to know you know so much more than the rest of us, though. 🙄

Do you really think that you can keep a wrist tattoo hidden at all times? Watches tend to slide up and down your arm a little, which would reveal some of the tattoo. Other tattoos may be visible in unexpected ways.

Yes, I happen to know a little bit about this topic. I once had a client who was in tears in my office because she couldn't find or hold a job because of her tattoos. She tried to hide them, but even if she could, they were eventually discovered, and she would be fired. They assumed she was a drug addict. She couldn't afford to have them removed. She had to file for bankruptcy.

Yes, this is an extreme example, but it illustrates a point. A lot of people don't like tattoos. They aren't professional. Period.

Hey, if you want a tattoo, go for it. Just think long and hard before you put a permanent mark on your body.
I can almost guarantee you will feel differently about tattoos in 10-15 years. I look back at some of the things I did when I was 20, and think "what a knucklehead!"

 

[PinkIvy08]

I think you people who want to get tattoos are out of your minds. Tattoos are a major turnoff to some people, including some/most medical school interviewers. Like it or not, people make assumptions about tattoo wearers. Why risk your future career? Because you want to be cool? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

What seems like a good idea when you're 20 often ends up being a really dumb idea when you're 25 and older...

Well thanks, dad! [insert heavy sarcasm]

What a small-minded, judgmental response. I bet most people on here aren't trying to get tatts to "be cool." Who does that?!? High schoolers maybe. We are about to enter med school, I'm sure we all know how permanent a tattoo is and have all heard the woes of getting one while maintaining professionalism.

Plus, I don't think anyone here is talking about a big ol' tatt on their forehead, but rather something smaller and more discrete. I guarantee you that if I'm good at what I do, I'm not going to be denied a job position because of a tiny indelible mark on my inner left wrist. Bet. Furthermore, I know plenty of doctors doing just fine with one or multiple tatts. Maybe you're from another generation or something, but times are changing.

 

[PanicAttack]

I think you people who want to get tattoos are out of your minds. Tattoos are a major turnoff to some people, including some/most medical school interviewers. Like it or not, people make assumptions about tattoo wearers. Why risk your future career? Because you want to be cool? Stupid, stupid, stupid.

What seems like a good idea when you're 20 often ends up being a really dumb idea when you're 25 and older...

I'm glad I didn't get mine till I was 25. You'd be so disappointed in me otherwise.

Seriously though, the consensus is right. Cover it up for the interview. Professionally it probably won't be a big deal. I see doctors and nurses in the hospital with visible tattoos all the time. It's not the big deal that it used to be, at least in a metropolitan area. As for rural, I couldn't say.

 

[willen101383]

I infact plan on getting a tattoo upon graduation from medical school! I am glad I am 27...so that I may now make an informed decision about my tattoo!

BTW one of the Rad oncologists at the practice I worked at before starting grad school has full sleeves....rides his Harley to work...and practices with his band after work....and hes a excellent doc.

 

[Depakote]

the problem with visible tattoos are the huge variety of personalities you'll run into during your training...

Sure when you're running the show you can look just about however you want, but there's a lot of time before that, and in that time you'll work under perfectly laid back docs who show up in Hawaiian shirts (had one) to very up-tight docs who want you to be the picture of professionalism at all times. If the latter happens to be a surgeon and you're scrubbing next to them, a tattoo anywhere on your arm might not be your friend.



If it's done, it's done... people have made it through training, but a battle you don't have to fight is a win.

 

[175961]

me at my interview

results: accepted!!!!

 

[futureboy]

BTW one of the Rad oncologists at the practice I worked at before starting grad school has full sleeves....rides his Harley to work...and practices with his band after work....and hes a excellent doc.

Does the doc have long stringy hair and tattoos? Does he say dude a lot? Didn't think so.

I don't have a Harley, but I do play in a band. I too must be at least partly cool then...

Contrary to the statements made about me in this thread, I'm actually pretty open minded. I personally don't judge people for tattoos or other such things. However, I am a professional with 15+ years of practice in a metropolitan area. I have a very good idea of what the general public, and colleagues, expect from professionals. Again, there are people who wouldn't care about tattoos, but there are many who would. You all are free to ignore my, and Depakote's, advice. It's your life.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

I know you mean well, but I wish you wouldn't assume that those of us in this thread who have (or are thinking about) tattoos haven't thought hard about all these issues. I wouldn't get a tattoo if I hadn't fully considered all of the consequences it might have. That's one of the reasons this thread was started--to consider the consequences beforehand. I'm not the type of person to go out and do something on a whim. There are a lot of ways to hide tattoos, whether it's a watch or bracelet, a band-aid, or even a special type of tattoo-hiding makeup (which exists and works quite well). I know that there are some people who might judge me even if I do try my best to hide it. But people are going to judge you on anything and everything they can.

 

[DrMaximus]

I have one on my back & on the backs of my calves. The awesome thing is that they can always be hidden. What about earrings, though? Anyone know anything about that as far as the medical field & interviews & such?