Nurses are the backbone of healthcare. After what the world has gone through regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, it's safe to say nurses are real-life superheroes. Accustomed to administering needles themselves, some nurses wear their hearts on their sleeves — literally — by paying homage to their job with a tattoo. Even if you're not a nurse but someone close to you is, nurse tattoos are a meaningful way to honor their hard work.
Syringes, stethoscopes, and anatomical depictions of the brain and heart are all popular nurse tattoo ideas to depict the profession. Others include a traditional-style portrait of a nurse or even the symbol for the nursing field. The forearm, calf, and bicep are great placement options if you want to show off your nurse ink, while the rib cage and back are good places for a hidden tattoo. From small, fine-line tattoos to more illustrations, there are endless ways to create your own memorable ink. Keep reading to get inspired for all kinds of nurse tattoos.
Not into the idea of a heart? Get a nurse tattoo of lungs instead. This design also incorporates flowers.
For an edgy take on a nurse tattoo, opt for a skeleton dressed in an old-fashioned nursing outfit.
An easy way to personalize your stethoscope nurse tattoo is by adding watercolor to it.
This tattoo showcases a nurse surrounded by beautiful flowers.
This anatomical heart design is tiny and located on the upper arm, which can be put on display or hidden easily.
A popular symbol for nursing and the medical field in general is the stethoscope, seen in this nurse tattoo intertwined with flowers.
The lines on an electrocardiogram make for a powerful yet dainty nurse tattoo.
Looking for a strong yet delicate nurse tattoo? This fine-line design features a nurse decorated with flowers in their hair.
This tattoo features a linear portrait of a nurse.
Imbued with lots of shading and colors, this tattoo features a traditional-style portrait of a nurse.
A syringe, a stethoscope, and a brain are all representative of a career in nursing.
You can customize your syringe tattoo like how this artist did by decorating it with flowers.
This tattoo features a nurse with butterfly wings.
This nurse portrait tattoo adopts a traditional style in black and white ink.
This nurse tattoo sees a stethoscope in the shape of a heart, along with small floral touches.
There are a number of ways you can customize your nurse design, like adding a dreamy moon.
This nurse tattoo idea features a realistic heart with vines forming a stethoscope.
This realistic tattoo of a syringe is intricate and visually striking.
Colorful butterflies are a beautiful addition to a nurse tattoo of a stethoscope.
This gorgeous nurse tattoo features an anatomical heart with flowers growing out of it.
A stethoscope-wearing skeleton blooming out of a flower is depicted in this beautifully detailed nurse tattoo.
This nurse tattoo features a bold and beautiful drawing of the Caduceus, the symbol that's representative of the nursing field.
This tattoo showcases a smaller version of the nursing symbol along with the initials for "nurse practitioner."
Electrocardiogram lines and a stethoscope float among sunflowers in this bold nurse tattoo.
Flowers are a beautiful addition to this tattoo of the nursing symbol.
Rosie the Riveter gets a nurse makeover in this tattoo idea.
In this portrait of a nurse, colorful flowers adorn the face and the word "Proud" is written at the bottom.
This dainty nurse tattoo features a hand feeling for a pulse.
Looking for a small tattoo? Try a tiny syringe to pay homage to the nursing field.