Forced wearing of nursing cap.

Nursing Students General Students

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  1. Is this sexist or gender bias?

    • 95
      yes
    • 101
      no

196 members have participated

I'm a senior registered nursing student and our school has a pinning ceremony to mark the completion of our program.

Our class contains about 20% men, equal split of black and white in both genders. I am approaching 50 and this is not my first career.

The director of the nursing program gave the class the "option to vote" on the wearing of a nurses cap for the pinning ceremony and our class photo. The majority of the class voted to wear the cap, men excluded from wear.

I do not wish to wear the cap and have been told by program director that "the class voted to wear it and you have to or you will not be able to participate". I understand the cap is traditional, but I feel it calls specific attention to my gender and not my success in passing nursing school. I've worked very hard to get where I'm at and I wish to celebrate my success with a pinning ceremony.

I truly feel that being "forced" to wear the cap is discriminatory based on my gender alone. Period. The guys are not made to wear them because they are considered "feminine or female dress", and I don't wish to be "forced" to dress as such either (we are all wearing pant-scrubs by unanimous vote).

I respect the choice of anyone else that wishes to wear the nursing cap. I don't and won't presume to force my opinion on them.

Has anyone else had this experience?

Does anyone know of any precedence against forced wearing of nursing caps to participate in school activities, etc? Any input on how else to proceed in approaching my school administration would be appreciated.

I welcome the input from both genders, seasoned and new nurses, students and educators, and anyone else on here that wants to chime in.

I ask only, that you be nice to me and each other. This is very serious for me.

If this is the hill you wish to die on, go ahead. I think you got a lot of good advice from previous posters. Would you still think the ceremony was discriminatory if the vote had swung your way?

Her way wasn't discriminatory. It's not like there's an anatomical reason men can't wear hats. Either make EVERYONE wear the hats or don't require it.

How are you being discriminated against? You were admitted to the program and are now about to graduate. The class voted and the majority apparently doesn't agree with you--that's not discrimination, that's democracy.

Sadly, as most americans who study history know, one can have a democracy which supports discrimination.

The two things, democracy, and discrimination,

can easily go hand in hand. Happened right here in the USA for centuries. Not sure why someone thinks democracy prevents discrimination, but, it doesn't.

at all.

We also have to trust, that whoever counted up the votes, is actually telling the truth, too. :roflmao: which is a whole other matter.;)

Yes, yes, whether you love nursing caps.

or

whether you loathe nursing caps,

it IS discrimination to tell a female graduate with no member, that SHE can't participate in her ceremony, unless she wears a certain hat

but, the men don't have to.

It's that simple. If the people with memberes also have to wear the hat, fine! THEN it is NOT discriminatory, then it's just part of the deal, for eveyrone. But only choosing ONE gender, and forcing them to wear hats, is undeniable discrimination.

I think those who are dismissing the OP's urge to participate in her own ceremony, as no big deal,

may have forgotten how important that moment is for many graduates. Being denied the chance to have that moment,

that every nurse here remembers very well

as no big deal

might not be fair way to look at this.

I think someone earlier, who said, it should be up to each individual student, to choose, wear the lil maid hat, or not, is great idea. some will choose to, some won't.

I don't think not wearing a hat is, in any way, not respecting those who went before us. what? There are TONS of things we no longer wear, or do, that the pioneers of our field did. Doesn't mean we disrespect history by moving forward, at all. In olden days, a nurse couldn't date while in school, but, i don't think going back to that equates to "respect" for our history, any more than i think forcing someone to wear a hat if they have no member is fair, either.

FREEDOM! Freedom for those who want to wear caps, and freedom for those who don't! YAY! THAT is best solution. Let the dudes wear hats, if they want to, too.

Denying a graduate the chance to have her moment, as she is recognized for her accomplishments,

is not fair.

I don't think not wearing a hat is, in any way, not respecting those who went before us.

I'm also not understanding that argument. If that were true, are all the men at the graduation being disrespectful?

"Because of my personal gender identification, which has nothing to do with, in my opinion, my skill as a nurse and the satisfactory completion of my studies, I respectfully decline wearing a nursing cap. I hope that I will not be discriminated against for declining".

I would bring this to adminstation. People who prefer to identify to one or another genders should not be forced to wear something that goes against that.

And as an aside, gender identification is an intensely personal matter, and nothing that you need to "explain" beyond your comfort level.

From another perspective: should a school that receives money from the federal government in the forms of financial aid be permitted to discriminate against a student based on sex?

No they should not. And there's many a feminst person who would say so. And there are transgender nursing students. This is not just about "wearing a cap" this is a belief system and/or a gender identification issue. And discriminates a belief.

Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

How about putting forth another vote to the class:

"Should all females be REQUIRED to wear the cap in order to participate in the pinning ceremony?"

I imagine that most people were voting for their PERSONAL preference, without realizing that it would be considered mandatory for everyone else as well. If it's a "vote of the majority" that the department is claiming has the power, put together a vote and see how the majority feels about it.

How about putting forth another vote to the class:

"Should all females be REQUIRED to wear the cap in order to participate in the pinning ceremony?"

I imagine that most people were voting for their PERSONAL preference, without realizing that it would be considered mandatory for everyone else as well. If it's a "vote of the majority" that the department is claiming has the power, put together a vote and see how the majority feels about it.

stands up and applauds.

THIS is very brilliant idea. Hope the OP sees Brillohead's remark here.

Specializes in being a Credible Source.
Nobody wears them EVER in practice.
Au contraire. I've actually seen two nurses who wear them...

Granted, hardly ever... but the absolute is incorrect.

---

OP, the class voted on what they want for the pinning. At this point, you've one of three choices:

1) Lighten up and go along with the group

2) Forego the pinning

3) Ignore the 'requirement' and simply show up and let the chips fall where they may.

Perhaps there's a male student that's enough of a troublemaker that he'd be willing to wear OP's hat for her? That'd show them!

Just curious, and I know this has no bearing on anything here...

Are the men explicitly forbidden from wearing them? Because I would probably wear one just to be funny and cute. But that's the kind of silly guy I am. However, what if some find that insulting that a man would want to wear it?

Oh such a can of worms this could turn into for but an hour of one's life! :D

Oh for goodness sake.

We happen to live in a democracy, if a vote was held and a majority of the class wishes to wear a cap at graduation in theory that is that. It is not being "forced" by the school but they are following the will of the larger body of graduating students who expressed their views.

The OP has several options open to her:

1. Refuse to wear the cap *and* take her place at the ceremony, basically threatening the powers that be to take action.

2. Do not attend the ceremony on principle or whatever reason she chooses.

3. Suck it up and wear the darn thing, it will only be less than two hours out of nursing career that will span decades (hopefully), and then she can do what countless other grads have; take the cap off and chuck it into a closet/drawer never to see the light of day again.

One assumes this matter was discussed at length before the vote was taken and therefore the OP was given ample time along with others to express her views and or objections. If the majority won the day you can be sure they aren't going to look too fondly upon a *rebel* looking to spoil their special day.

Just curious, and I know this has no bearing on anything here...

Are the men explicitly forbidden from wearing them? Because I would probably wear one just to be funny and cute. But that's the kind of silly guy I am. However, what if some find that insulting that a man would want to wear it?

Oh such a can of worms this could turn into for but an hour of one's life! :D

Since nurse's caps fall under female attire much would depend upon the facilities dress code policy regarding transvestitism. If you wear just the cap administration may ask you to take it off, then again if you plan on wearing *starched whites* including skirts and hose then things may get a bit tricky.

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