an RN is a practicing Jehovah's witness

[strawberryrnc1611]

Has anyone had an issue with an RN that is a JW and demands exceptions with holidays, scheduling, etc.? Are there full exceptions with certain days to work? Are there provisions made by the "elders" to allow the RN to work? Do "elders" hold the practice above the profession?

[ktwlpn, LPN]

YES-despite your religion, the weather, even family. We all have an obligation to the profession. Luckily most of us are able to switch shifts with co-workers when special occasions arise. But to go to the supervisor and demand special consideration on that basis is unprofessional and selfish.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

A nurse who "demands" exceptions is going to soon find herself without a job offer. We all have our own lives. And add me to the club that doesn't understand why a JW nurse would "demand" holidays off. I work with a JW nurse now. If she wants a day off for whatever reason, she has to use her PTO. When it is her weekend to take call, she takes call. If she demanded not to do it because of her religion, she wouldn't have a job because weekends on call is part of our job.

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

Nurse/nursing doesn't trump anything in my life.

It is my job that comes with responsibilities, needs and requirements.

I am responsible for identifying and negotiating them appropriately, ethically and morally.

If there is a conflict that I can't resolve or moderate than I make the decision I need to make and deal with the consequences.

[strawberryrnc1611]

I want to Thank everyone for your comments and thoughts. I absolutely do not want this thread to be a JW bashing. I am in a position of trying to understand the unrelenting expectations of a co-worker. She is not willing to compromise to meet her obligations of the schedule. Not so much holidays, but weekends. Weekends are a requirement for our profession and this individual will not understand that just like every other person has religious and spiritual belief to appease; hers are just as relevant than everyone else. How can a religion not appreciate the "calling"of a nurse to uphold her bargain. Yes. everyone should meet a compromise, but when you have alienated the work environment with your demands; I have to question your convictions. It is so difficult to appreciate someone's devout practice when it hinders your institutional and union obligations. I do want everyone to respect each other's comments and remain totally objective. I am just seeking different methods of dealing with the dilemna and offering me ideas on how to reach a compromise.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!

[Ruas61, BSN, RN]

It sounds like the issue is her not conforming to the schedule needs/norms as opposed to her faith.

[PacoUSA, BSN, RN]

I work with a nurse that is a JW and gets every Saturday off, comes in on Sundays. Same for another nurse (of another religion I suppose), who works every Saturday but off every Sunday. My unit seems to be very accomodating to "special" requests, not that it is a good thing always.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I want to Thank everyone for your comments and thoughts. I absolutely do not want this thread to be a JW bashing. I am in a position of trying to understand the unrelenting expectations of a co-worker. She is not willing to compromise to meet her obligations of the schedule. Not so much holidays, but weekends. Weekends are a requirement for our profession and this individual will not understand that just like every other person has religious and spiritual belief to appease; hers are just as relevant than everyone else. How can a religion not appreciate the "calling"of a nurse to uphold her bargain. Yes. everyone should meet a compromise, but when you have alienated the work environment with your demands; I have to question your convictions. It is so difficult to appreciate someone's devout practice when it hinders your institutional and union obligations. I do want everyone to respect each other's comments and remain totally objective. I am just seeking different methods of dealing with the dilemna and offering me ideas on how to reach a compromise.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!

They have a right to observe those religious beliefs. Tread lightly. Seek the advice of HR.

[sistrmoon, BSN, RN]

We have an interesting situation because we are an Onc floor and hang tons of blood products and we have a JW RN who does not hang, monitor or take down blood products so another nurse has to do it.

Btw, not bashing at all! although there is resentment amongst the nurses on that shift. We also have an RN who is Orthodox Jewish and my management is very accommodating for her time needed off for religious occasions.

[OCNRN63, RN]

I want to Thank everyone for your comments and thoughts. I absolutely do not want this thread to be a JW bashing. I am in a position of trying to understand the unrelenting expectations of a co-worker. She is not willing to compromise to meet her obligations of the schedule. Not so much holidays, but weekends. Weekends are a requirement for our profession and this individual will not understand that just like every other person has religious and spiritual belief to appease; hers are just as relevant than everyone else. How can a religion not appreciate the "calling"of a nurse to uphold her bargain. Yes. everyone should meet a compromise, but when you have alienated the work environment with your demands; I have to question your convictions. It is so difficult to appreciate someone's devout practice when it hinders your institutional and union obligations. I do want everyone to respect each other's comments and remain totally objective. I am just seeking different methods of dealing with the dilemna and offering me ideas on how to reach a compromise.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!!!!!!

This doesn't have anything to do with her faith requiring her not to work. The only thing I can think of is she wants to be off on the weekend so she can participate in ministry work and get to the meeting we have on Sunday. But as I said, nothing in our faith requires you not to work on weekends. Tell her to buck up and do her share.

[SycamoreGuy]

If it's an every Saturday thing it sounds like she needs to find a M-F job. However, if the management is flexible and there is someone who can swap that would be nice, she shouldn't expect it though.

[OCNRN63, RN]

We have an interesting situation because we are an Onc floor and hang tons of blood products and we have a JW RN who does not hang, monitor or take down blood products so another nurse has to do it.

Btw, not bashing at all! although there is resentment amongst the nurses on that shift. We also have an RN who is Orthodox Jewish and my management is very accommodating for her time needed off for religious occasions.

Participation in blood transfusions is a conscience decision for a JW nurse; the faith takes so specific position one way or the other. I worked in outpatient oncology, and I hung blood and blood products. It didn't bother my conscience. Another JW nurse may feel differently.

I hope that she helps with other patients when nurses have to cover her patients getting blood.

There are copious threads in the archives about JW nurses and blood transfusion if you're interested. I hope we don't start this discussion again, though; it got really nasty in some of those other threads.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't say anything to her personally. Go to your NM or to HR and express your concerns. If they will no do anything, there is not much to be done. Whatever happens, I don't see any good that will come from confronting your coworker.