Nursing under the skin: a netnographic study of metaphors and meanings in nursing tattoos

Abstract

The aims of this study were to present themes in nursing motifs as depicted in tattoos and to describe how it reflects upon nursing in popular culture as well as within professional nursing culture. An archival and cross-sectional observational study was conducted online to search for images of nursing tattoos that were freely available, by utilizing the netnographic methodology. The 400 images were analyzed in a process that consisted of four analytical steps focusing on metaphors and meanings in the tattoos. The findings present four themes: angels of mercy and domination; hegemonic nursing technology; embodying the corps; and nurses within the belly of the monster. The tattoos serve as a mirror of popular culture and the professional culture of nurses and nursing practice within the context of body art. Body art policy statements have been included in nursing personnel dress code policies. Usually these policies prohibit tattoos that are sexist, symbolize sex or could contribute and reproduce racial oppression. The results show that the tattoos can be interpreted according to several layers of meanings in relation to such policies. We therefore stress that this is an area highly relevant for further analyses in nursing research.

The digital generation and nursing robotics: A netnographic study about nursing care robots posted on social media

“…We also stress that the development of nursing care robots originates from ideas in science fiction that have very limited relationships, perceptions and ethical starting points with areas of nursing and nursing research. Explicitly and implicitly, the metaphors in function and design are connected to blockbuster sci‐fi movies and the robots in them rather than similar cultural expressions of nursing in popular culture (see also Eriksson, Christiansen, Holmgren, Engström, & Salzmann‐Erikson, ). Given these aspects of robots and the recent explosion in interest in nursing robotics, we argue that health‐care might be a laboratory for developing nursing care robots without nurses and/or nursing researchers participating.…”

Space invaders – A netnographic study of how artefacts in nursing home environments exercise disciplining structures

“…The method used in this study for gathering freely available data online basically followed the methodological procedures and ethical guidance outlined by Eriksson et al. () in their archival and cross‐sectional observational study of nursing tattoos. In this current study, photographs and video clips from nursing homes were considered data, as they projected artefacts of the culture.…”

Mastectomy tattoos: An emerging alternative for reclaiming self

“…Tattoos among the privileged, however, changed over time as tattoos became popular with marginalized groups including circus or stage performers, sailors, military, 30 prisoners, gang members, 38,39 and so‐called “deviants.” 40 As such, tattoos became associated with marginalized subcultures and “lower classes.” Nevertheless, we are experiencing a “tattoo renaissance.” This trend is attributed to the large number of fine arts graduates who entered the profession and revolutionized tattoo engraving by replacing stencils with custom designed works of art 30,41 . The nomenclature of “being inked” has entered popular culture and tattoos are moving from the margin toward the center circles of society.…”

“…People acquire tattoos for a variety of reasons. They serve to memorialize an important life‐changing event 9,39 ; to commemorate a loved one; for group membership 48 and for taking control of one's life and body following a traumatic experience 49‐51 . Academics and professionals are also embracing their tattoos as a form of artistic self‐expression 31,52,53 or for purely esthetic purposes 9,36 .…”