Muslim nursing students

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Have any Muslim nursing students had problems wearing a hijab to class or clinical. I am worried about being asked to take mine off for class.

I have gone in. I have asked others that attend school there. Even some of the professors they weren't sure who to talk to. The registrars office has ran me around the most,[/quote']

Find out who the department head (or whatever title is used. Ours was a Dean) is of the nursing program. That would be the person who should be able to say. If they don't have a policy, then I don't know what other advice to offer you. I have a bad feeling about this school simply for how they are running you around. However, I do understand your reasons. Financially it is so much easier to stay at home if you are able to do so.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Find out who the department head (or whatever title is used. Ours was a Dean) is of the nursing program. That would be the person who should be able to say. If they don't have a policy, then I don't know what other advice to offer you. I have a bad feeling about this school simply for how they are running you around. However, I do understand your reasons. Financially it is so much easier to stay at home if you are able to do so.

Thank you. I will try to find that out. I have had a bad feeling about the school too. They have ran other people around as well. I was hoping to do as much as possible without loans. If I have to leave here I will.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you. I will try to find that out. I have had a bad feeling about the school too. They have ran other people around as well. I was hoping to do as much as possible without loans. If I have to leave here I will.

I wish you luck and I hope you can find a way to make nursing work with your beliefs and practices.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wish you luck and I hope you can find a way to make nursing work with your beliefs and practices.

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Like I said, I'd look into other schools. If you know people have had issues then it sounds bad. You had mentioned your parents didn't want you to live in poverty, that is why I asked about financial aid. It just seems that every solution we give you, you have a response for that leans to the negative. You remind me of one of my daughter's friends who kept coming up with excuses as to why she didn't want to join a certain club at school. If you don't want to do something just say so. Is there something else that interests you, one that you really want to do? You need to pursue what will make you happy and not interfere with your religious beliefs and customs. Just some food from thought.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Like I said I'd look into other schools. If you know people have had issues then it sounds bad. You had mentioned your parents didn't want you to live in poverty, that is why I asked about financial aid. It just seems that every solution we give you, you have a response for that leans to the negative. You remind me of one of my daughter's friends who kept coming up with excuses as to why she didn't want to join a certain club at school. If you don't want to do something just say so. Is there something else that interests you, one that you really want to do? You need to pursue what will make you happy and not interfere with your religious beliefs and customs. Just some food from thought.[/quote']

Okay.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Like the OP, I am pretty strict including in dresscode. I wear dresses, a headscarf, and never do short sleeves. I haven't found it to be problematic in the areas I live and I do think it is an advantage that there are plenty of stricter Muslim women in these areas so the hospitals and schools have already established policies for multiple views of dress code. I would not be OK wearing short sleeves. My religion is a major part of my life and I'm not willing to write off my beliefs even for something I truly want so much and believe me, I know this is what I want to do and have fought tooth and nail to get to the point I am at. However, I've found that often where there is a will, there is a way. On the floors, there isn't a problem with long-sleeves where I've seen. There have been valid concern brought up regarding the OR. The hospitals that I've seen, it would not be a problem (for me at least) to roll up/remove my sleeves and scrub in and then put on the surgical gown which covers up your arms to avoid the infection control issues. I've never been in a hospital that had an issue with wearing your headcovering in the OR though some have asked you to put something over it. Anyway, this is just the experience I've had and those I know had so I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all approach and it really depends a lot on your individual school/hospital.

For what it is worth, I don't observe this dress code based on culture nor does anyone I know. Most who observe it are basing it on their understanding of religious texts (which I realize different people feel means different things hence why some nurses people have worked with have not had an issue with the sleeve problem/headcovering issue). Imams don't make the rules for us nor do they dictate the way we observe our religion. They're there to serve as leader of prayer during religious services and to help lead the community, not to dictate the minute details of what you're wearing to work or who your clients are at work. Even amongst the most conservative scholars, even for someone like myself who in casual life does not shake hands with the opposite gender, believe that men and women can touch eachother for the purpose of offering medical care so there is not a problem with that because there is a reason behind it and a medical cause for it rather than just being for fun or social reasons.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Like the OP, I am pretty strict including in dresscode. I wear dresses, a headscarf, and never do short sleeves. I haven't found it to be problematic in the areas I live and I do think it is an advantage that there are plenty of stricter Muslim women in these areas so the hospitals and schools have already established policies for multiple views of dress code. I would not be OK wearing short sleeves. My religion is a major part of my life and I'm not willing to write off my beliefs even for something I truly want so much and believe me, I know this is what I want to do and have fought tooth and nail to get to the point I am at. However, I've found that often where there is a will, there is a way. On the floors, there isn't a problem with long-sleeves where I've seen. There have been valid concern brought up regarding the OR. The hospitals that I've seen, it would not be a problem (for me at least) to roll up/remove my sleeves and scrub in and then put on the surgical gown which covers up your arms to avoid the infection control issues. I've never been in a hospital that had an issue with wearing your headcovering in the OR though some have asked you to put something over it. Anyway, this is just the experience I've had and those I know had so I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all approach and it really depends a lot on your individual school/hospital.

For what it is worth, I don't observe this dress code based on culture nor does anyone I know. Most who observe it are basing it on their understanding of religious texts (which I realize different people feel means different things hence why some nurses people have worked with have not had an issue with the sleeve problem/headcovering issue). Imams don't make the rules for us nor do they dictate the way we observe our religion. They're there to serve as leader of prayer during religious services and to help lead the community, not to dictate the minute details of what you're wearing to work or who your clients are at work. Even amongst the most conservative scholars, even for someone like myself who in casual life does not shake hands with the opposite gender, believe that men and women can touch eachother for the purpose of offering medical care so there is not a problem with that because there is a reason behind it and a medical cause for it rather than just being for fun or social reasons.

Thank you. I hope I won't run into too many problems.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I know your family wants what is best for you, but to me it sounds like the problem is that you do not really wish to be a nurse. If that is the case then do not do it. You can be a nurse. The dress issue is fairly easily dealt with. Nursing though requires a lot and if it is not something you really want to do then you will be fairly unhappy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do agree with the others however that if you think it is possible at all that you don't want to be a nurse at all, take a step back and consider what you might be better suited for. There are plenty of jobs other than nursing that do provide financial stability. I think it is especially true that with fields like nursing that it won't work out well for you if you're forcing yourself to satisfy the expectations or desires of others. Nursing school is tough and nurses deal with a lot of stuff that many people would not be willing to put up with or not have the stomach to put up with. If it isn't really something you want to do and if there is something else you would prefer, you may well find it very difficult to get through.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I know your family wants what is best for you but to me it sounds like the problem is that you do not really wish to be a nurse. If that is the case then do not do it. You can be a nurse. The dress issue is fairly easily dealt with. Nursing though requires a lot and if it is not something you really want to do then you will be fairly unhappy.[/quote']

That is not the problem. I was upset when I said I didn't want to be a nurse, that was my way of coping with the fact it might not work out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I do agree with the others however that if you think it is possible at all that you don't want to be a nurse at all take a step back and consider what you might be better suited for. There are plenty of jobs other than nursing that do provide financial stability. I think it is especially true that with fields like nursing that it won't work out well for you if you're forcing yourself to satisfy the expectations or desires of others. Nursing school is tough and nurses deal with a lot of stuff that many people would not be willing to put up with or not have the stomach to put up with. If it isn't really something you want to do and if there is something else you would prefer, you may well find it very difficult to get through.[/quote']

I want to be a nurse saying I didn't was my way of coping with the fact I might not happen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment