Shabbos/Religious Observances

Nurses General Nursing

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As I begin the applications process for nursing schools, I have one huuuuge concern - my religious obligations. I am not permitted to work/attend school, etc. from sunset Friday nights until an hour past sunset on Saturday nights because of the Jewish sabbath. I've heard that a lot of programs have 12hr clinicals on Saturdays...yikes! Has anyone "worked it out" with similar obligations?

I did NOT mean to imply that I was offended or anything like that!!! What I was trying to point out is that being sick crosses the boundaries of ALL religions and cultures. There is no discrimination by germies or accidents. I realize that not everyone in Israel is observanto or even Jewish, but I used that country as an example because the majority there ARE Jewish and many are orthodox. If an orthodox Jew should fall very ill or have a serious accident on the Sabbath, would he wait until the next day to get help? I don't think so. Or if another disaster happens and the hospital's disaster tree were activated, would you be in trouble for responding? Again, I don't think so. While staffing may be minimized, if there are not enough non-Jewish employees to staff a hospital, I doubt anyone would have a problem with you working. I don't think you'll find it a problem, because Christians and the non-observant would be more than happy to cover for you if you cover for them, but I think your powers that be would understand and give you permission to work.

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It would be great if you could find a school like the one in Lufkin that had clinicals on Mon-Wed, or Tue-Thurs only.

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Blee - I intend to bring this up with the dean of nursing when I am closer to completing the program, not so much for myself, but on behalf of younger and more timid students who may not feel empowered to speak up. Because I am in no danger of actually flunking out of my program, I thought I'd put it off till a more convenient time. Right now, I am swamped with finals. :)

texasmommy: I don't wish to misrepresent myself; although I am religious in my own way, I am not frum. However, I fully comprehend your problem.

No worries. Frum or otherwise, we all have these little issues to deal with. Am Yisroel Lev Echod. Thanks for your understanding!

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Specializes in DOU.
I did NOT mean to imply that I was offended or anything like that!!! What I was trying to point out is that being sick crosses the boundaries of ALL religions and cultures. There is no discrimination by germies or accidents. I realize that not everyone in Israel is observanto or even Jewish, but I used that country as an example because the majority there ARE Jewish and many are orthodox. If an orthodox Jew should fall very ill or have a serious accident on the Sabbath, would he wait until the next day to get help? I don't think so. Or if another disaster happens and the hospital's disaster tree were activated, would you be in trouble for responding? Again, I don't think so. While staffing may be minimized, if there are not enough non-Jewish employees to staff a hospital, I doubt anyone would have a problem with you working. I don't think you'll find it a problem, because Christians and the non-observant would be more than happy to cover for you if you cover for them, but I think your powers that be would understand and give you permission to work.

Texasmommy isn't an employee, and this isn't a disaster. She doesn't have enough training to save a life (yet). She would only be a student. Perhaps she should concentrate on one hurdle at a time.

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Tazzi, the colloquial expression is, "We live by the commandments, not die by them."

That said, breaking the law may not be permitted by one's own decision, and the reason must be serious. Going to a class, on a day when writing and reading, travelling, kindling any kind of fire, ripping paper, even carrying keys are prohibited, would not constitute a valid reason for the Jewish equivalent of a "special dispensation."

:)

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I didn't have a single weekend hour for clinicals until my very last week of clinical. (If you would end up working one Sabbath day I think God would forgive you for breaking the rules.) Although, I do think that you will find that your school will work" with you to avoid the need for a clinical day on the Sabbath. Best of luck!

Pinning 12/15/2007

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Birdgardner, please feel free to PM me at any time to ask any questions you might have about caring for Orthodox pts. I'd be more than happy to share our customs and things that would be useful to a caregiver!

I think posting care guidelines would be on topic....

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go to following link, and scroll down to "What type of work is allowed on the Sabbath?"

http://www.sabbathtruth.com/sabbath_questions.asp

yes, we orthodox nurses, are allowed to work.

leslie

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

Docs and nurses observant as well work on shabbos --preservation of life trumps religious observation. The good thing is many more christians work so its really easy to get coverage for the high holy days,and they love to have someone to work xmas for them! I've never worked a jewish holiday in 20 yrs !

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.
go to following link, and scroll down to "What type of work is allowed on the Sabbath?"

www.sabbathtruth.com/sabbath_questions.asp

yes, we orthodox nurses, are allowed to work.

leslie

Ummm, this is a Christian link :o

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I'm not sure what goes on in Israeli hospitals, but as another poster said, the majority of Israeli Jews are not strictly observant. Also, there are many Christians and people of other religions living in the country. My point in making this topic wasn't to start any kind of debate or get people "fired up." I really hope I haven't made a mess of things...:o

Please, understand I do not ask this in disrespect. Quite the opposite.

Who do you propose take care of the ill on Holy days? Some one has to. Why would you expect a Gentile to do it in your place?

If a strict observer of your tradition were ill on a Holy day do they expect to not be cared for? Let's just say for argument sake there were no Gentiles or non orthodox Jew around to care for the sick who would you have do this on a Holy day?

Have you discussed your choice of professions and this question with a Rabbi whom you respect? I think this is important enough to make an appointment to do so.

Yes, many employers and co workers will make an allowance. You may not find this true every where and accomodations are not always made without resentment.

It is not just to have to work on a favored day off simply because someone else has a religious conviction that does not permit them to work. It is kind of like forcing your religion on someone else. Because they must give up a Friday or Saturday off because you have a particular religious conviction that they do not share.

Seventh Day Adventist who also refrain from labor from Sunset Friday to sunset Saterday acknowledge there is certain "necessary" work that must be done no matter what the day. One of those things is caring for the sick.

Please, make an appointment to discuss this with your Rabbi before you take this step.

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Ummm, this is a Christian link :o

:eek::eek::eek:

they have a Christian Sabbath????

oy.

i am very sorry.

how do i find a Jewish one?

leslie

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