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)?
