religion and interviews

Nurses Job Hunt

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Right now at my current job, I have worked the weekend schedule out by working every Sunday as opposed to alternate weekend (Saturday and Sunday). Today I had a interview at another hospital for a unit i really want to work at. I went in knowing that I would not bring up scheduling restrictions but if asked I obviously would not lie. Well the interview went well until the manager mentioned the weekend schedule at this hospital is Friday and Saturday and would this be an issue for me. Well obviously it is an issue.... I explained to her that I was religious and while I would be able to come in every Sunday and some Saturday nights, I really wouldn't be able to work a weekend night shift that's Friday and Saturday Night (Shift starts at 7:30 pm). There was a palpable feel of awkwardness but she went on and the rest of the interview continued. I know I won't get the job and it will be soley be based on the fact that I'm a religious Jew. This makes very upset. Did I do anything wrong? Could have I acted differently? Is there anything I can do now after the fact? I tried very much to convey to the manager that I am willing to be flexible and work with her. ...

Wouldn't nursing fall under פיקוח × ×¤×© (preserving/saving human life)? I'm in no position to say one way or the other, as I am not observant, but I was always under the impression that breaking Shabbat in order to save life was okay.

I'm with the other ladies that recommended speaking with your Rav (Rabbi), if only to try and get some closure from the situation and talk it out.

I also feel like this was a personal decision. You made the decision to let them know that Saturdays would not work because being Shomer Shabbat (observant of the Sabbath) was the priority for you. And good for you for sticking to your values. It often is a struggle to choose and reconcile between the responsibilities of the physical world (Gashmiyus) with that of the spiritual world (Ruchniyus). I commend you for your candor, integrity, and purity of heart.

As one of the other ladies said, maybe another job is meant to be. Who knows, maybe something better will turn up. A family member of mine was in the same situation and actually was rejected from a prestigious medical school for stating that she would not work on Saturdays; she ended up going to a med school where the administration was more understanding. I believe that when one door closes, another one opens.

Hatzlachah (Good luck) in your future endeavors and Chag Sameach (Happy Holidays).

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

So who cares for the sick in the hospital in Israel?

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Specializes in ICU.

Atheist travel nurses? í ½í¸‚

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