Any Muslim surgical technologist/scrub nurses in allnurses?

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi,

I'm a Muslim and I am considering becoming a surgical tech. I wear hijab and I was wondering if there's any Muslims here who are surgical techs who I can ask some questions about how you wear hijab in the OR. And if anyone else knows how a muslim scrub nurse wears hijab(head scarf) or has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.:)

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I'm sure you could talk to your nurse manager. You might be able to wear it instead of the surgical cap - others bring surgical caps from home so I don't see the difference between that and a head scarf brought from home, as long as it wouldn't get in the way (could you tuck it under a scrub top?).

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I would imagine that a sterile hijab wouldn't be an issue. I would, however, think that if you cover your arms below your wrists that that could be an issue as you can't scrub properly with covered forearms.

Good luck.

:)

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Thanks so much for your answers.... The scarf would be underneath my scrubs, it would only be on my head and neck. And I have no problem with scrubbing and having my forearms exposed, I just want to be able to keep my head ears and neck covered.

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Thanks so much for your answers.... The scarf would be underneath my scrubs, it would only be on my head and neck. And I have no problem with scrubbing and having my forearms exposed, I just want to be able to keep my head ears and neck covered.

I think you'd be fine, then.

:)

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Specializes in FNP-BC, RNC-OB.

im glad that someone asked this question. im a muslim myself, and although im not a nurse yet, im in nursing school and i thought about how hijab may or may not interfere. regardless, i am going to wear it b/c its part of my religion, part of me ... and i know some muslim nurses as well as doctors. but just one question - how do u wear ur hijab in the workplace? i know the obvious khimar (scarf) but do you wear long sleeves under ur scrubs shirt to cover ur arms? a long lab jacket to cover as much as the bottom as possible?

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Specializes in ED, Flight.

If you do a search of the forums, you'll find there were other threads where Muslim nurses asked and discussed similar questions. You may find it helpful and encouraging.

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Specializes in FNP-BC, RNC-OB.

yup thanks - i did and found a buncha good stuff.

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Specializes in Home Care, Primary care NP, QI, Nsg Adm.

"Thanks so much for your answers.... The scarf would be underneath my scrubs, it would only be on my head and neck. And I have no problem with scrubbing and having my forearms exposed, I just want to be able to keep my head ears and neck covered."

As salamu alaykum sister,

I am glad to see concern for your hijab and not forgoing it for the sake of work. As your brother in Islam I would like to advise you to consider all of the awra in your covering and the arms are included in that.

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Specializes in FNP-BC, RNC-OB.

im in nursing school for the moment, and the uniform provides a long-sleeved lab coat that goes over everything - problem solved :D

however, i know when i get to working, ill have to work with it somehow and wear long sleeved shirts underneath ..

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Specializes in Operating Room.
"Thanks so much for your answers.... The scarf would be underneath my scrubs, it would only be on my head and neck. And I have no problem with scrubbing and having my forearms exposed, I just want to be able to keep my head ears and neck covered."

As salamu alaykum sister,

I am glad to see concern for your hijab and not forgoing it for the sake of work. As your brother in Islam I would like to advise you to consider all of the awra in your covering and the arms are included in that.

Her question was regarding scrubbing though, and your forearms have to be exposed while scrubbing.There is no way around this.Also, in the vast majority of ORs, long sleeved tops are not permitted under scrubs. When not in surgery, though, many wear warm up jackets. And obviously, during surgery those at the sterile field wear a long sleeved surgical gown.

Regarding the head scarf, as long as the ends are able to be restrained so they don't dangle into the surgical field, you should be fine. You will have to have a clean one for each day, or launder one nightly, because even with our cloth scrub hats, we are not supposed to wear the same one two days in a row without washing it.

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Asalam alakom,

I am happy to see that you are going to keep your hijab on. Sadly, I have just removed mine. I am tired of being perceived as an Arab, which I am not, which comes along with being perceived as someone who has a violent religion because of the very few people who get a voice in the media when they say and do ignorant, devient things. The ONE interview I did get at Scripps Hospital in San Diego, I am sure that I was not considered further because of the fact that I do wear a head scarf despite being dressed professionally and being told that my resume was "very impressive" on the phone. I have never seen any hospital staff wearing a head scarf in the few Scripps hospitals that I have spent a bit of time in. In fact, when in the prayer room of the hospital praying one day (I was visiting a family member in the hospital), a Muslim nurse came in and after I was finished praying told me that she wishes she could wear the head scarf but she doesn't feel that she would have gotten the job, or would be accepted at that point. I know that discrimination is illegal, but it is only illegal when they say it outright to your face. I hope that before I finish my health care degree I will have more strength to put my hijab back on and inshallah get a job.....I hope they can see through the scarf and all the prejudice.

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