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Discussion

Muslim??

0 Hello everyone. I am a new nurse working in Florida. I have tons of experience in mental health as a tech. I am also Muslim and wear a head scarf. My question is ...Should I not wear it to work??? I currently work in mental health and I get questioned all the time by my patients, which I don't mind. I am also going to be interviewing for a position at a correctional facility. So I dont want to single myself outo if I work there. My head scarf identifies me as muslim so I can't exactly say "no" when I'm questioned. In my religion, it says that we "should" wear it but not if it makes life more difficult than it has to be. I am thinking I should remove it because I don't want to get questioned, inmates will see this as an opportunity to get to know me, which is not appropriate in this setting. I also must say that I don't have the best boundaries when it comes to things like this and I anticipate myself having a hard time not discussing it. Advice please!

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    If it's simply a matter of covering your head, have you thought of a surgical cap? Nowadays, they come in so many colors, prints, and patterns. You could match them with your uniform and none would be the wiser.

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    • Author

    Agreed.....I am Muslim, happen to believe homosexuality is wrong BUT I don't care what other people do. I have friends that are gay, they don't even have a clue how I feel, it's not important. Every individual must decide what is right and wrong for them. After my interview I thought I had made the choice NOT to wear it, just because I want to avoid questions, not put of fear. I actually felt very comfortable with my hijab and around the prisoners. I even asked the Nurse interviewing me. He said if I wear it now, why take it off? Don't compromise what you believe is right for anyone. Now I think I will wear it, just modify it. I just can't imagine taking it off, it's like wearing no shirt and going outside, I feel naked, exposed...!!

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    • Experts
    I have worked with many Muslim women in the past. Some wear a hijab and some do not. In the setting of mental health or corrections I would not recommend wearing it. It would be a safety issue.

    Agree that you should take steps to be safe. Wear your hijab to and from work, but do not wear it in the workplace in a mental health or corrections setting.

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    • Experts

    IMO, you're walking around with a potential weapon that can be used by a patient on themselves, another patient...or you. Is it likely to happen? I don't know--that's the problem with psych nursing. You just don't know.

    I'm not saying you should forego head covering--far from it...though I can't say I wouldn't be a bit edgy to see someone walking around with one. But be careful when wearing it--wear a shorter one, tie it differently so it's not easy to grab, and/or wear it in a way that will not strangle you if someone does grab the edge of it and pulls.

    But honestly, since safety is paramount in psych, I would seriously consider alternatives such as this:

    http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/5265838/il_570xN.221276568.jpg

    That will allow you to keep your head covered, yet if it gets taken off, it's not likely to be used to cause harm.

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    • Author

    I would have to be corned in a room alone and wrestled with to get the scarf off my head, that's how wrapped and secure it is...it's tucked into my shirt....Itso the same length as a pair of pants. I suppose this is why no one in the hospital I worked with has ever had a problem with it. Patients and inmates can find many things to use as a weapon...sheets are longer than my scarf...which they do rip and use as belts to hold up their pants..females use it to tie up their hair. There is no such thing as "safe" with these populations. My issue is not willing safety... I'm comfortable completely with these populations. My issue is really the questions that the scarf brings up. With these populations they are intrusive, they will ask. I just wanted to know if people felt it would be an issue as far as pts./inmates trying to get into your business.

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    • Experts

    It can bring up a topic for conversation, not necessarily because someone wants to be nosy or start an argument. They can just be genuinely interested in your background and would like to broach the subject. If you are uncomfortable talking about your faith or the background of your religious dress, you will need to learn ways to bring the topic of conversation around to acceptable topics. Try looking at it that way instead of assuming the worst about the population you are working with. That little bit of pleasantness on your part could make for an easier working relationship for yourself. Maybe a slim chance, but a chance nonetheless.

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