Letters

An Integrative Review of Body Art in Nursing

“…Empirical studies included 7 US survey studies, [22][23][24][25][26][27][28] an online observational study from Sweden, 19 and a bacteriological study from Japan. 29 Nonresearch articles consisted of 4 letters to the editor 9,12,20,30 and 6 commentary and opinion pieces. 11,18,[31][32][33] Other nonresearch articles included 2 case studies, 8,16 a legal commentary, 34 2 specific to nursing issues, 10,17 and an editorial.…”

“…18 Literature highlighted incongruencies with restrictive dress code policies and the nature of nursing care. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]30,31,33,36 A model of shared governance in policy review and revision gives voice to patients, providers, and health care leadership. 14,15,36…”

“…Three commentaries pointed to tattoos as helpful conversation starters between nurse and patient. 16,20,30 In contrast, other studies indicated that body art was stigmatizing. Dorwart et al 23 conducted a survey with hospital organizations, finding that negative perceptions of body art exist as noted in the use of stigmatizing language related to nurses with body by participants.…”

“…The consideration of personal meaning behind body art was a predominant subtheme in nonresearch literature tied to level of acceptability. 8,[16][17][18]20,30,33,37 EBP considerations discussed the need for unbiased nursing for those with body art and reciprocation for nurses who have tattoos and piercings. 37 A nurse midwife with a nontraditional nursing image reminded readers of existing professional codes to avoid assumptions and recognize diversity and individual choice in patients while upholding the reputation of midwifery profession in behavior and practice.…”

“…8 Other anecdotal and commentary articles strongly identified the personal meaning in the body art by the nurses displaying them. [16][17][18]20,30 An educator advocated for the display of tattoos by nurses and warned of hazards in allowing public perspective to dictate nursing professionalism, as knowledge and ability cannot be decided on the basis of body art. 33 A letter to the editor in response to the Scovell 20 commentary reiterated the personal meaning of tattoos and noted they are often an icebreaker during interactions with patients.…”