How do nursing schools react to alternative faiths?

Nope. It should never be a problem. It only becomes a problem if they discriminate upon your religion. And be it that 70 something percent of the USA is of the Christian faith. Just don't go wearing a swastika

You might well be asked to leave the pentacle at home if it's on a chain hanging from your neck, wrist, or ears. Typically nursing schools restrict students to one pair of stud earrings and no necklaces, bracelets or rings. Even wedding rings usually have a restriction (no stones, for instance, may be worn).

It's not the religion that'd be a problem; however, if you find yourself discussing religion when you should be discussing patient care (or discussing NOTHING), THAT might well be a problem.

My school is catholic, but still wouldn't let you wear any sort of necklace to clinical (religious or not). They don't give a hoot what you wear to lecture except that they expect you to dress respectfully.

I'm pretty sure I saw an exception for students who's religions REQUIRED them to wear something at all times. They required that it is wore under an undershirt under the uniform.

I wouldn't think it a problem, however, like others have mentioned most nursing school dress codes might allow a small chain (or nothing). If they allow a chain, I'd tuck it in my shirt...believe me you don't want it dragging around in an infectious wound or worst. It also becomes an issue when you have a psychotic person try to grab shiny things around your neck.

Like some of the other posters have said, wearing a necklace in general during clinicals will most likely be a problem. Has nothing to do with what type of necklace. At my school, we are not allowed to wear any jewelry during clinicals, only things permitted are a watch and wedding bands (no stones, must be smooth/flat). Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, etc are prohibited. Tattoos must be covered. Hair must be a natural color (doesnt have to be YOUR natural color, but must be a naturally occuring color so to say). Hair must be pulled up with a hair tie that matches your hair color. During lecture, your necklace should be no problem. I personally wouldn't think twice about someone wearing a pentacle or for that matter, any other type of necklace.

I have to agree what everyone else has said. I don't think what the necklace has on it would be a problem, as I know lots of people that aren't wiccan that wear things like that for fashion purposes. I don't think it would point negative attention to you, as most times people's beliefs are private and aren't really delved into heavily.

Again, like everyone else has said the only issue I can see is that most jewelry is limited at clinical sites or during labs. My program does not allow any necklaces that would hang in any way (and you wouldn't want that anyway as it could contaminate your field), only one pair of earrings (studs), no nose rings, only one ring and even that is discouraged as they can be damaged or rip gloves, and a watch with a second hand.

Good luck with your program!

I'm a wiccan and going to nursing school soon. I openly wear a pentacle. I'm wondering how nursing schools and clinical placements would react to this? I mean, it's not a problem if a christian student wears a cross, right?

So, the way you ask this makes me think you are preparing to have to fight to defend your rights. It has been my experience, as a former pagan and current atheist, that almost no one is as bothered by an alternative religion as much as you want them to be. I bet most people will look at your pentacle and think "oh, pretty star necklace" rather than "omg she is a Wiccan, MUST....SAVE....SOUL....."

My school had a dress code policy. How strictly it was enforced varied some by clinical instructor, but the big things they were concerned about were facial piercings, visible tattoos and dangly things that could be a hazard to you. But no one really noticed the religious necklaces.

So, the way you ask this makes me think you are preparing to have to fight to defend your rights. It has been my experience, as a former pagan and current atheist, that almost no one is as bothered by an alternative religion as much as you want them to be. I bet most people will look at your pentacle and think "oh, pretty star necklace" rather than "omg she is a Wiccan, MUST....SAVE....SOUL.....".

This was my thought when I read it, not so much the technicalities of wearing jewelry to clinicals.

OP, as a Buddhist I'm a pretty freakish abnormality in Texas. Nursing programs don't take stands against or for any type of religious affiliation unless you're signing up to attend a religious school, and even then, most will leave well enough alone.

At the same time, nursing programs are made of real, live people with real live opinions and judgments, so maybe someone will think you're weird. I don't know. But I'm pretty sure they won't throw you to lions in a makeshift Colisuem behind the school.

The first week of class some students and I got into a religious conversation and someone said, "Stephalumpc, what religion are you?"

To which I replied, "Buddhist.". To which someone said, "Sp how do I reach the path of enlightenment?"

And we talked and joked about it and I never heard anything else about it. Most people don't care. And if they do, I've found that our personalities probably didn't mesh beforehand and we probably wouldn't get along even if we were both Southern Baptist.

I just have to echo what others have said about having anything dangling (let alone something that is shiny that could attract even more attention) around your neck being a safety issue. You really don't want to put yourself in a position of either gathering up germs on it or, even worse, have someone make a grab for it that could restrict your airway.

My take on this:

1) Have all the religious or socioeconomic or political beliefs you want.

2) Understand that other people are different and may have a different view

3) Don't rub your beliefs in anyone's face

4) If someone rubs their beliefs in your face, just give an agnostic "uh huh" or dismissive "yep". Only acknowledge that you heard what they said. Don't challenge anyone's beliefs.

5) Don't change your beliefs because of anyone else's ideals unless you really think about them and they appeal to you. Also don't expect anyone else to change their beliefs for you.

6) At the end of the day, if you really believe in what you're into, just rejoice in that you've found what makes you happy.

(spoken as a complete atheist who respects other people's beliefs and can get along with them regardless)