Hijab (headscarf) Nurses

[skybmonkey]

Do any of you know of any nurses who wear their Hijab (headscarf) to work? I have yet to meet any. Only once did I run into a medical professional who wore one, but she told me she had been hired a long time ago, way before the whole Islam conflict began in the States. I would really like to know of any who have been hired within the last 10years and how do the patients react to them when they see them. Thank you all :-)

[highlandlass1592, BSN, RN]

I have worked with quite a few nurses who wear the hijab & I have never heard of any having a problem. I do feel the infection control issue is a valid concern but have never asked how they deal with it.

[rn4lyfe08]

At the last hospital I worked for, there was an MD who wore her hijab and also dressed modern/traditional. There were never any issues and I was in the south. Prejudice can exist anywhere. I however, do not wear the hijab by personal choice, not because of what others think. The medical staff I see in my home city (philly) wear the hijab w/o problems. I think the only issue was the bottom falling during pt care, same as long hair would. In that instance, either tuck it into your shirt, or twist the rest up into a bun. Problem solved. :)

[dmc_rrt]

I've seen quite a few Drs. wear them too. they are all respected Pts. and peers.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Caps were far more of a problem than hijab will ever be. You wear a clean one every day. The caps got washed when they looked icky.

[waterlily777]

Thank you for such a candid question.

I just got hired as CNA two months ago, in the middle of the hard economic times and with no previous experience. Where there's a (God's) will, there's a way... :-)

I am Muslim and I wear the hijab, but most importantly I am passionate about nursing and I have a mature and solid work ethic.

Be yourself, be confident, be a good nurse. Respect of honest hard work, regardless of where you're from or what you believe in, is one of the most important values in the US, and God bless America for that!

On a technical note, I do find the "Amirah" hijab, the 2-piece, to be the most practical scarf for the job: it is relatively short so it doesn't hang past my neck, and it stretches so it makes it easy to slip the stethoscope earpieces in and out of my ears.

Peace :)

Lily

p.s. Happy Ramadan! :-)

[waterlily777]

Oh yeah, and last night when I answered a call light, the pt. asked to be moved up the bed to be more comfortable, so I went to get my fellow CNA to help. When I came back and we were done settling him in the bed, he sighed a sigh of relief, and said: "Whew, when you first walked in I thought you came in to give me the last rites!" lolololol

I wear a white scarf, white long sleeve shirts under my solid color scrubs, and white shoes complete my outfit. I get the nun comment a lot from older people, and I love it. It shows the good impression (I hope) I make when they first see me.

Salaams

(Peace)

Lily

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

Our University has a large international student population, both undergraduate and in the medical school. It's neither unusual nor unsettling to see women in cover.

[Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN]

When I worked in Northern Virginia there were many Islamic nurses who wore thier hijabi. I don't see a problem with it, especially since they have the right to practice their religion.

[caroladybelle, BSN, RN]

However, I would have objections from a microorganism standpoint. The hijab or any other headcovering must be held back away from the face and up off the neck, the same way a female or male's hair must be for safety and sanitary purposes.

A few years ago there was a study done about how nurses' caps were sources of nosocomial infection...I would think the hijab would pose the same sort of risk. I am not sure of the rules for posting links to studies here, but it can be found by using Google scholar and searching for nurse cap infection.

There is a big difference, though. Head scarves get washed regularly - the nursing caps did not.

One could also argue that since the head scarves can be washed regularly and completely cover the hair and generally also pierced ears/the neck, it may actual protect from loose hair/debris/perspiration falling on the pt from the nurse...which caps certainly did not do. Thus might be more hygienic.

[achiever]

I'm in the Midwest, and we have several nurses and physicians who wear the hijab, and I've never heard any of them complain that they've had problems. I can't imagine anyone would have a problem, although people can be stupid. If I were you I would absolutely wear it, it's something to be proud of.

--M.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

I have never heard of a problem. Infact I see it as a positive. You could provide some cultural diversity to the floor. I know at my hospital they love diversity as it helps us provide more culturally sensitve care. I

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

we had 1 nurse who wore a head scarf.. but she quit or something.. it was a few years ago ..she was very nice and a good nurse.. i haven't seen a nurse since her wearing a head scarf...