Any Muslim Nurses/Student Nurses in Allnurses?

I can't imagine a school or hospital not allowing skirts, and here's why: Many Pentecostal Christian women do not wear pants either. I know several who always wear skirts or dresses, in addition to not cutting their hair or wearing makeup, and have never encountered problems with this.

My area has a very small Muslim population (almost all of them are physicians and their families), and most of the women do not cover their heads.

i do believe it would be harder for the female muslims not because of the dress code so much but due to ignorance and uncompromising attitudes of some people. people like to throw around 'infection control' when Muslim women don't want to uncover their forearms. do you say the same for doctors who don't roll up their shirt sleeves? some wouldn't even have the guts too. even when looking into the niqaab or face veil if secured correctly it shouldn't be any more an infectious issue then any other clothing even surgical mask and hearing isn't a problem try it yourself with a sheet/ surgical mask.

At one of the hospitals where I did clinicals, one of the nurses always wore ankle length skirts and long sleeves - which I assume she pushed back when doing hands on care. I don't think she was Muslim though, because of her name and her not wearing the hijab. But the hospitals will make reasonable accomodations for religious clothing. It's defining reasonable that is the issue.

Actually, infection control has become a bigger issue, and yes, Physicians are being asked to not wear their lab coats (and other long sleeves) in many hospitals because of it.

I've heard a few instances where people that had poor hearing have more difficulty hearing someone who's mouth is covered. And, there are others who rely at least partly, on reading lips, which also can create a problem.

As a non-muslim, I'd imagine the "biggest" issue is the lack of sense of humanity, from having someone with a mask over their face. A huge amount of human interaction is involved in the face. Simple smiles and frowns. But, if someone is wearing a mask, they're just hiding themselves and that important means of communication. Try and justify it all you want by saying it is part of the religion, but for me, a masked person will make me feel less comfortable than a person who's face I can "read".

The head coverings are fine, provided they are clean (which they usually are) and secure.

May I suggest for our Muslim nurses that you have some additional 'allies' to connect with on matters of dress, especially in areas where there are few Muslims. Orthodox Jewish women have many similar concerns to Muslim women on matters of dress. Not identical, but similar enough that you may be able to share ideas locally and information on where to aquire suitable clothing, etc. Though Jewish women don't wear a hijaab, Orthodox women will likely cover their hair. Similarly they will be more likely to wear long sleeves, avoid low necklines, wear skirts, etc. Some of the gals in the Association of Orthodox Jewish Nurses discuss these issues from time to time. When my wife was a med student, resident, and now attending these things would come up again for 'tweaking' and experimenting.

Food issues may also be a place where your Jewish colleagues can be helpful. In places where Halal food is not available, kosher food may be helpful to you. My Chief Flight Nurse was a Muslim, and I would regularly share my meals from home with him since Halal food was not readily available.

I certainly don't want to suggest standards that won't suit you; I'm just pointing another direction where you may get help and support.