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 [1] 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 [2] if you want to show off your nurse ink, while the rib cage and back are good places for a hidden tattoo [3]. From small, fine-line tattoos [4] to more illustrations, there are endless ways to create your own memorable ink. Keep reading to get inspired for all kinds of nurse tattoos.
Nurse Tattoos: Lungs and Flowers
Not into the idea of a heart? Get a nurse tattoo of lungs instead. This design also incorporates flowers.
Nurse Tattoos: Skeleton Nurse
For an edgy take on a nurse tattoo, opt for a skeleton dressed in an old-fashioned nursing outfit.
Nurse Tattoos: Watercolor Stethoscope
An easy way to personalize your stethoscope nurse tattoo is by adding watercolor to it.
Nurse Tattoos: Floral Nurse
This tattoo showcases a nurse surrounded by beautiful flowers.
Nurse Tattoos: Anatomical Heart
This anatomical heart design is tiny and located on the upper arm, which can be put on display or hidden easily.
Nurse Tattoos: Floral Stethoscope
A popular symbol for nursing and the medical field in general is the stethoscope, seen in this nurse tattoo intertwined with flowers.
Nurse Tattoos: Electrocardiogram Lines
The lines on an electrocardiogram make for a powerful yet dainty nurse tattoo.
Nurse Tattoos: Floral Nurse
Looking for a strong yet delicate nurse tattoo? This fine-line design features a nurse decorated with flowers in their hair.
Nurse Tattoos: Fine-Line Nurse
This tattoo features a linear portrait of a nurse.
Nurse Tattoos: Traditional-Style Nurse
Imbued with lots of shading and colors, this tattoo features a traditional-style portrait of a nurse.
Nurse Tattoos: Brain, Stethoscope, and Syringe Portrait
A syringe, a stethoscope, and a brain are all representative of a career in nursing.
Nurse Tattoos: Floral Syringe
You can customize your syringe tattoo like how this artist did by decorating it with flowers.
Nurse Tattoos: Butterfly Nurse
This tattoo features a nurse with butterfly wings.
Nurse Tattoos: Nurse Portrait
This nurse portrait tattoo adopts a traditional style in black and white ink.
Nurse Tattoos: Heart-Shaped Stethoscope
This nurse tattoo sees a stethoscope in the shape of a heart, along with small floral touches.
Nurse Tattoos: Night Nurse
There are a number of ways you can customize your nurse design, like adding a dreamy moon.
Nurse Tattoos: Anatomical Heart
This nurse tattoo idea features a realistic heart with vines forming a stethoscope.
Nurse Tattoos: Syringe Tattoo
This realistic tattoo of a syringe is intricate and visually striking.
Nurse Tattoos: Stethoscope Portrait
Colorful butterflies are a beautiful addition to a nurse tattoo of a stethoscope.
Nurse Tattoos: Anatomical Heart
This gorgeous nurse tattoo features an anatomical heart with flowers growing out of it.
Nurse Tattoos: Skeleton Nurse
A stethoscope-wearing skeleton blooming out of a flower is depicted in this beautifully detailed nurse tattoo.
Nurse Tattoos: Nursing Symbol
This nurse tattoo features a bold and beautiful drawing of the Caduceus, the symbol that's representative of the nursing field.
Nurse Tattoos: Nursing Symbol
This tattoo showcases a smaller version of the nursing symbol along with the initials for "nurse practitioner."
Nurse Tattoos: Floral Electrocardiogram
Electrocardiogram lines and a stethoscope float among sunflowers in this bold nurse tattoo.
Nurse Tattoos: Floral Nursing Symbol
Flowers are a beautiful addition to this tattoo of the nursing symbol.
Nurse Tattoos: Nurse Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter gets a nurse makeover in this tattoo idea.
Nurse Tattoos: Floral Nurse Portrait
In this portrait of a nurse, colorful flowers adorn the face and the word "Proud" is written at the bottom.
Nurse Tattoos: Fine-Line Tattoo
This dainty nurse tattoo features a hand feeling for a pulse.
Nurse Tattoos: Small Syringe
Looking for a small tattoo? Try a tiny syringe to pay homage to the nursing field.