A word of advice for a strange question?

[bebbercorn]

Hi all! In order to ask the question I must "out" myself. I'm muslim and wear a scarf to cover my hair. It has never been an issue in acute or ambulatory settings, beyond a little patient or staff curiosity. I am about to start as a new nurse in a level 1 trauma center ED (Woot!!!!) I have done a liiiiittle bit of time in ED's before and have seen some madness, but never a personal attack. I have been threatened before in critical care, but again, never attacked.

So, muslims and non-muslims in ED - It was brought up by a family member that the way I wear my scarf (wrapped around my head with two tiny sewing style pins on each side) could be used as a weapon (pin to the head). It was suggested that I wear the "easy - on" style which is like two separate "head socks" you pull your head through.

My logic is, a demented patient will use whatever is around if they want to get violent. The "easy on" style could be a source to get strangled, as would a stethoscope, manual pressure monitor cord.... you get the picture (sorry to be morbid). I like wearing the pinned style because it doesn't interfere with using my stethoscope and I get a little variety in what I wear.

What do you think? Wear what I want or wear the cautious, boring hijab (scarf)?

[bebbercorn]

Thanks all! I'm so thrilled to be employed where I have the opportunity to learn so much. I will buy some more easy ons. (The style is called al-Amira, my sisters and I just call them "easy ons.")

[pro-student]

I know there are hijab pins that have a backing (more like safety pins than straight pins). Admittedly I don't know all that much about specific customs pertaining to how women wear a hijab but if that's an option for you, I would imagine that would be safer than straight pins since it would be much more difficult for a potentially violent pt to get at them or accidentally getting pricked if hit in the head. They would probably be safer than al-Amira hijab which could become a noose. Of course, anything can become a weapon in the motivated pts hands but less of a head start (no pun intended) gives one more opportunity to react before any damage is done.

[bebbercorn]

@pro-student, that's one thing I thought, the shayla (wrap) would just come off if someone really pulled on it, wear the closer one is a strangulation hazard. Sigh. I suppose I'll just spray on my anti-psychotic patient spray before work and head on in!

[exit96]

If you are going to encounter inmates of any sort; jail, prison, I would advise not having any metal, hard plastic items that they could get their hands on and use as a weapon while at the facility, or upon return to their place of lock up. I know it's a religion thing, but I wouldn't even want that thing around my neck when in the presence of an inmate...and remember, inmates come from the outside, so we don't always know who the dangerous ones are.

[neverbethesame]

If the hospital doesn't have a policy, then wear the one you want! My friend at work wears the one with pins and they are very pretty. If a patient can get that close and have the dexterity and fine-motor skills to rip the pin out, he/she is able to do anything- scarf or no scarf, IMO.

[TJ74]

Have you thought of the other option? Don't wear anything. It is not a religious requirement to wear a hijab it is a cultural one. Plenty of muslim women who don't wear anything in public and you are working in a culture where it is unusual or you would not need to ask the question.

[exit96]

Have you thought of the other option? Don't wear anything. It is not a religious requirement to wear a hijab it is a cultural one. Plenty of muslim women who don't wear anything in public and you are working in a culture where it is unusual or you would not need to ask the question.

Stated well.

[bebbercorn]

I have to preface this response by stating I am not a religious scholar. However, the hijab is a religious requirement. It is both in the qur'an and the prophetic tradition. That being said, most Muslim women, especially here, don't observe hijab. That is their choice and no one else should be involved. It is a personal, spiritual choice. No one forced me to put it on and no one can force me to take it off. I wear it by choice and people may judge and say "this poor oppressed girl...," but I am happy and free in my heart and more liberated than before hijab (I started wearing it later in life, so I am familiar!) If you want an Islamic perspective by someone much more qualified than myself to answer I can try to direct you :-)

[al7139, ASN, RN]

Anything can be used as a weapon. Just be very aware of your surroundings and ask for help if you need it. If I am uncomfortable with a patient, I take off my stethoscope and my badge and empty my pockets before going into a room, and I get a security guard or another staff member to accompany me. Since your culture prohibits you from removing your headscarf, if you are really uncomfortable, ask for an escort for safety. That should not be an issue in any ER.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Anything can be used as a weapon. Just be very aware of your surroundings and ask for help if you need it. If I am uncomfortable with a patient I take off my stethoscope and my badge and empty my pockets before going into a room, and I get a security guard or another staff member to accompany me. Since your culture prohibits you from removing your headscarf, if you are really uncomfortable, ask for an escort for safety. That should not be an issue in any ER.[/quote']

Good advice.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Whichever one is less likely to dangle into an open wound/pile of fluid that isn't yours/anything you wouldn't want to touch. Congrats on going to the Level 1! I hope you love it.

[flnurse51]

The better choice is no scarf or no work.