I need somebody's opinion....

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Dec 17, 2001

I have a small cross necklace that my hubby bought me. I always wear it, I have only taken it off to clean it and for CXR's!

I think it's a good thing. If someone wants to talk about God, it is like an unspoken invitation. If they don't, then no harm is done.

I have seen lots of nurses wear little angels on their lapels as well, I see no harm in it at all.

But what about the reverse? What if a nurse came in wearing a devil symbol or something. I think I would have to say she is free to wear it if I am free to wear my cross. Not sure how the pt's would feel seeing it though. ???

mtgirl63 · Dec 17, 2001

I often wear an angel on my uniform. I also wear scrubs that have noah's ark on it, which some may say is symbol of religion. I also wear a pin this time of year that has the 3 wise men on it, and says "wise men still seek Him". I think it's fine to show what we believe in and hope we will always have the freedom to do so!!

Jenny P · Dec 17, 2001

Barbara, I think if you are saying that you would like to wear, say, the symbol of Wicca, it would depend on the size of it. I have seen some that are small (kind of like those guardian angel pins which are less than 1/2" in diameter), and I'd think that that would be appropriate. If it is the size of a quarter or larger, it may not be appropriate, nor would any piece of jewelry that size, no matter if it is a religious symbol or not. You work in LTC or rehab, and there is always the possibility of a confused pt. grabbing it and pulling it off your neck and using it as a weapon against you or someone else. Especially if it is a symbol of Wicca because some people have very strong emotional reactions to "witchcraft". You have described this symbol as a pendant which I usually picture as a larger piece. If this is larger than a quarter, try to find a smaller symbol and wear it as you wish.

thisnurse · Dec 17, 2001

i wear a pentagram my fiance gave me a few years ago. it was his and it is special to him. it is not a devil symbol, although it is confused that way sometimes.

i dont know if i am wiccan or not. if i HAD to chose an organized religion to follow, i suppose it would be wiccan. but i feel like i am a little bit of this and a little bit of that.

still, i would not wear my pentagram outside of my uniform BECAUSE of the potential for being misunderstood. on ocassion i have found that it had come out and a few of my coworkers have given me strange looks in report, but nobody has said anything...yet.

i was waiting for a flight at LAX one evening and i went to the airport mcdonalds. it was extremely crowded. i suppose a plane had just come in from japan and there were japanese all over the airport. i stood in a huge line, deep in thought and when i looked up, nobody was around me. i was like the "cheese" in the farmer in the dell. i stood alone.

none of these japanese people would even look at me.

it was very disturbing to find that kind of reaction to a simple piece of jewelry.

i feel VERY strongly that if you can wear your cross, i can wear my pentagram. but as i have no desire to listen to feedback or get weird looks, id just as soon not wear it in the open. i think it would scare the heck out of some patients, and for the most part, they are already afraid.

i remember one of my patients had dungeons and dragons books on his bedside table. i have never played this game and i dont know that much about it, but they were very nice looking books. he was kind enuff to let me go through them. the assistants on our unit didnt even want to go back in this guys room after they saw them. i heard them at the desk talk about witchcraft and satanism..no, they dont go hand in hand..they are very different. but these assistants have a lot of misconceptions. unfortuanately, they represent the general public.

to me, its just not worth the hassle. i dont wear my pentagram to bring attention to myself or to start an argument. im not on a crusade.

Jen911 · Dec 17, 2001

I think it might also depend on the type of hospital you work in. I've worked at a very large, diverse University hospital where there were folks from all walks of life...and on the other hand, I've worked at a smaller Catholic hospital. Now my guess would be that wearing a cross would be more generally accepted at the smaller Catholic hospital, whereas other forms of religious symbols might not be acceptable.. Now at the University hospital, almost "anything" might go (with limitations...not sure satanism would be acceptable to symbolize in the hospital setting)

I've worn angels, crosses, and have a Noah's Ark uniform, and no one has said anything to me...yet...

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Dec 17, 2001

At the Catholic Hopsital I used to work at, I was reprimanded for wearing black scrub pants. I did check the policy, and it said pastel scrubs only.

What I was wearing was the beautiful scrub top by SCRUBS co., that was Mardi Gras. It has a black background and very bright pretty masks all over it, so I wore it with black scrub pants, on nights. You would have thought I was the devil risen straight from hell the way the nurses reacted. The pt's liked it. I have worn it in my HH job and my pt's who were formerly from the south just love that top!

Trauma Columnist · Dec 17, 2001

I currently work at a large, Catholic teaching hospital and have worked in military hospitals and other public hospitals. I have a small (one inch) plain cross that I wear and have worn for several years. It has never been a problem. When I was in the military (in the 70"s) I always wore a cross inside my t-shirt.

For me, it symbolizes something I feel strongly about, but don't wish to force my beliefs on someone else, so keep it inconspicuous.

Agnus · Dec 17, 2001

I follow the wiccan tradition. I was raised catholic and am not unsympathetic to that tradition. We have jews in my family and am very comfortable with that tradition. When I was married we borrowed from Muslim, Jewish and Christian traditions for various elements of the Marriage ceremony.

I wear no jewelery at work except (now a flag pin) and my watch, and wedding ring. We all know the safety reasons. If I were to wear a wiccan or pagan symbol I would probably choose to do so under my clothes. I work at a hospital within a hospital. We are not a religious hospital but we are tennants of a Catholic Hospital.

When I worked home care I sometimes did wear my penticle or goddess where all could be seen. This was with clients that I new well. However, in the hospital it is a diffrent situation, in a catholic hospital building it might upset even more. When off duty and pop in around work I might wear them. I just save my jewelery for when I am out of scrubs. If I had an angle I might wear it because it is universal and declares no particular affiliation. And everyone can relate and likes then.

huckfinn · Dec 17, 2001

I do not wear a religious medalion, however, our institution does have a policy about dress code/jewelry and they specifically mention the acceptability of wearing one. As with everything else sensibility is the rule. Small and inconspicuous is best. Tolerance of every one else's belief system in also a must.

PhantomRN · Dec 17, 2001

I always wearmy mall cross necklace. Nothing has ever been said to me, at any facility I work at.

nur20 · Dec 17, 2001

I agree with other posters. You have a right to think, believe, serve anything you want, you don't have a right to force your beliefs on someone else. Tolerance is the key.I would not have it prominent but tasteful and inconspicuous.