Ear piercing is a medical procedure that requires knowledge of anatomy, sterile technique, infection prevention, and wound healing. Proper technique and hygiene are essential to minimizing the risk of adverse outcomes, including infection and tissue damage.

That understanding has shaped Rowan from the beginning. Rowan was founded on the belief that ear piercing should be as safe as it is celebratory. Every piercing is a milestone, and the experience should reflect both the clinical nature of the procedure and the significance of the moment.

To put that belief into practice, we developed the Rowan Clinical Piercing Standard® — a set of protocols covering sterilization, infection prevention, jewelry materials, aftercare, and other aspects of the piercing process.

Licensed nurses are an integral part of the Rowan Clinical Piercing Standard®, bringing professional expertise in anatomy, infection prevention, wound healing, and patient care to every piercing. 

Nursing education provides that clinical foundation. They understand anatomy, how wounds heal, and how individual health and environmental factors can affect the healing process. They also know how to maintain sterile environments and how to care for people when something doesn't go as expected.

But nursing school doesn't teach you how to pierce an ear.

To earn the title of Rowan Piercing Nurse™, nurses must complete their nursing education* and extensive, specialized education in ear piercing through The Ear Piercing Institute™.

*Candidates must hold an active LVN, LPN, or RN license.

Training Through The Ear Piercing Institute™

Ear piercing is its own discipline, requiring an understanding of the unique anatomy of the ear, how to evaluate placement, determine appropriate angles, select jewelry, use different piercing methods, and approach each ear as an individual canvas.

That's why we created The Ear Piercing Institute™ — a robust, specialized curriculum designed to build on nurses' existing clinical expertise and train them in the techniques, anatomy, artistry, and protocols that define the Rowan Clinical Piercing Standard®.

The program was developed in collaboration with and approved by our Medical Advisory Board, ensuring that every Rowan Piercing Nurse is trained to rigorous clinical standards. We are also the only piercing brand endorsed by Dr. Charles Thorne, the leading otoplastic surgeon specializing in ear reconstruction.

Before a Rowan Piercing Nurse ever performs a piercing independently, they go through a multi-stage training process designed to take them from theory to hands-on expertise.

It begins with training practicums with a standardized set of criteria for our device piercing method. Practicums are graded by both the training Piercing Nurse and our Nurse Leadership Team and assess two critical areas:

Piercing expertise: Can the nurse demonstrate proper technique, placement, safety, and adherence to the hygiene and piercing protocols outlined by the Rowan Clinical Piercing Standard®?

Customer experience: Can they effectively consult with a customer, explain the process, provide education, and deliver the thoughtful, celebratory experience Rowan is known for?

Only after successfully completing their device practicums can candidates officially become Rowan Piercing Nurses. Then, for needle piercing training, they begin with a detailed training manual covering the fundamentals of ear piercing with a needle, including:

- Ear anatomy

- Placement guidelines

- Piercing angles

- Piercing techniques

- Hypoallergenic jewelry

- Sterile field management

- Material safety

- Aftercare and healing

From there, nurses practice their piercing techniques on silicone ear models, building precision and confidence in the piercing procedure.

 

Once they have completed extensive practice, each nurse in training observes their trainer performing live piercings. Only then do they begin performing piercings on real customers, completing their repetitions under the direct supervision of a Rowan Piercing Nurse who has been certified to train nurses under the Rowan Clinical Piercing Standard®.

 

Training takes place locally, giving nurses hands-on instruction in their own studio environment. At the same time, every local program operates under the centralized oversight of our Nurse Leadership Team, ensuring consistency in curriculum, protocols, training expectations, and quality standards nationwide. 

 

And the training doesn't end there. Every Rowan Piercing Nurse continues to develop their skills through on-the-job training, mentorship, and ongoing education.

Interested in Becoming a Rowan Piercing Nurse?

 

Becoming a Rowan Piercing Nurse isn't simply about learning how to pierce. It's about building the clinical expertise, specialized piercing skills, and confidence to represent the Rowan Clinical Piercing Standard® at every appointment.

 

Ready to become part of the team? Browse our open positions and learn more about becoming a Rowan Piercing Nurse.