religion and interviews

Szbeylik · Oct 11, 2017

Seriously...? this is so ridiculous. What people will put up with in the name of religion... uh oh. Can of worms opened....

bebbercorn · Oct 11, 2017

As a Muslim I have traded Friday's for Sunday's, Christmas for Eid... I have mostly had good luck. If you can speak with your rabbi then this may help, if you have to alternate fridays is this acceptable for you? I have worked in ED, Trauma, and have held pressure on bleeding wounds, done chest compressions, and held hands right through when I'm supposed to be praying. I'm no religious scholar, but I know in my heart that this is not a problem. I pray it goes well for you , if this is the best job meant for you!

Nursiepoo01 · Oct 11, 2017

If everything went well in the interviews and you still don't get it...I wouldn't automatically presume it's because you're a Religious Jew. I would presume it's because they have shifts to fill on certain days and unfortunately you are unavailable.

Assuming a reason is a religious discrimination is not fair. I have hired a ton of staff in my career and it boils down to availability...not the reason they aren't available.

Just my 2 cents

Lady_Leijing, BSN · Oct 11, 2017

As a deeply religious Christian and a door nurse, I can sympathize with what you're going through. I have often worked weekends to work around my home life and or school schedule, but I've always avoided working Saturday and Sunday nights in a row, so that I can be in church for at least one of the two Sunday services. If that particular hospital is not willing to accommodate your schedule, it's just not a good fit. You don't have to give up on hospital nursing because other hospitals are willing to accommodate this. Maybe this is God's way of telling you that you don't need that job and that He has a better one plan for you.

NLLL16 · Oct 11, 2017

I can understand your dilemma. I once turned down a job opportunity that I really, really wanted due to the fact that I would have to miss church. For me, it's not something to "just get permission from your spiritual leader". It's more than that. I don't feel obligated to go to church, I want to be there. I worked every Saturday to be off on sunday while an ER nurse but when I asked my boss if the possibility of working every other Saturday was an option, she stated it clearly was not an option at that time. I started looking for other opportunities that would not require me to work on the weekend. I landed a wonderful job in outpatient where I got off every Saturday and Sunday, it's a relaxed atmosphere and so much more pleasant than the ER. I realize some have an idea of what they want in a job and will not budge but you have to look at your priorities...do you want off on your religious day or work your dream job? I prayed for a better job opportunity and it became available. If this job doesn't work out for you, don't be upset. Keep praying and stand your ground for what you believe in. Best wishes :)

amycamilledenton · Oct 11, 2017

I think you could work a lot of Sundays as some others might appreciate having that day off. I wouldn't discount you as a potential employee. There are lots of ways to accommodate you.

amycamilledenton · Oct 11, 2017

You are so right. I work a lot of Sunday's. It is for my patients who have no choice in what days they need my help.

bfreeman7559 · Oct 12, 2017

I share a position with a Co-worker who is per diet and needs Sunday's and Tuesdays off for religious services. Per union contract, we are to have every other weekend off. However whenever possible, I make every effort to give her the time off that she needs.

rva_nurse2b · Oct 12, 2017

I think what they mean is that while the hours you're missing are due to your religion. The actual reason isn't *because* of what religion you practice. I'm not an attorney. And I'm not advocating for legal action either. It is a can of worms because of the legal implications. But it is something I've noticed in several sectors of business is that some places require weekend work. And if you practice a religion usually you'll need to miss some time on a weekend for that reason.

Perhaps you could frame it that if you don't get the position that HR could look for another position within the hospital that does fit your schedule needs and theirs. That would be a positive way to spin it.

What I've normally done (not a nurse - yet) is just let people know I can work weekends, but that I do go to church and would need to miss some hours in the morning. Usually most places are able to work around that because most people know its only a few hours.

But if you can advocate for a patient you should be able to advocate for yourself and your religious beliefs. I think in more recent times that religious beliefs have taken a hit, especially in the hospital setting (probably due to legal troubles). But the majority of this country supposedly hold Christian values and beliefs (something around 70%-80%). But when someone is on their deathbed usually religion comes into the mix. I volunteered at a hospital once and it was interesting to hear from the minister. It is definitely a piece of the puzzle in a hospital setting, unfortunately one that also can be the cause of tension.

PCzoonurse · Oct 12, 2017

I've had that problem and just switched with other nurses who wanted other days.

But if not possible you might seek employment with a facility where weekends are not a problem.

CharisseEnglish · Oct 12, 2017

Maybe you should look into Clinic nursing I've worked Clinic for 20+ years and we do not work weekends or holidays and they are very flexible with other days you may want off also. Just a suggestion.

Ellie G · Oct 12, 2017

As a devout Mormon, I worked my Sabbath (Sunday) for years and I really missed church. Eventually I was able to schedule myself to have Sundays off although I worked night shift on both Friday and Saturday 12 hour nights to be able to have Sundays off. Made for some nodding off at times but I was happy with the change in schedule. Sometimes you have to pay your dues first in order to get the schedule you want. For me it worked better to have the job and then work into my preferred schedule as I had proved myself to be flexible and valuable to the facility.