Shabbos/Religious Observances

Nurses General Nursing

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As I begin the applications process for nursing schools, I have one huuuuge concern - my religious obligations. I am not permitted to work/attend school, etc. from sunset Friday nights until an hour past sunset on Saturday nights because of the Jewish sabbath. I've heard that a lot of programs have 12hr clinicals on Saturdays...yikes! Has anyone "worked it out" with similar obligations?

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Shalom, y'all!

texasmommy, I have no idea about Texas. I know that in New York City, where I come from, one could always work out observing Shabbos with management/teachers.

Good luck.

Do you have a Lubavitcher group nearby? I'll bet they know everything there is to know about Orthodox-compatible Texas.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

My program was strictly Monday - Friday, no weekends.

Inquire carefully ... unless you're in a rural area with very limited options you will find a program with suitable scheduling.

However, this does raise the question of what you'll do as a nurse. Hospitals, LTCs and other care facilities are 24/7. But I assume you've already thought about this ...

Good luck to you.

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I'm sure they would be able to make some way to make it work. It may mean that you need to go the extra mile, make it inconvenient for you but not for them in any way, you may even have to do a little extra....but if it's that important to you then it worth it.

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As I begin the applications process for nursing schools, I have one huuuuge concern - my religious obligations. I am not permitted to work/attend school, etc. from sunset Friday nights until an hour past sunset on Saturday nights because of the Jewish sabbath. I've heard that a lot of programs have 12hr clinicals on Saturdays...yikes! Has anyone "worked it out" with similar obligations?

The first step is to find out about the clinical hours of the programs you apply to enter. Ask directly, and don't count on rumor or what their schedule was last year. Tell them your restrictions, since there may be changes in the works for future semesters. You want to know as much as you can in advance.

The fewer suprises you have in school, the better. :lol2:

I went to an accelerated option program, and we had a choice of taking weekend or evening clinical hours for some rotations (peds and ICU mostly).

At the end of the day, any nursing program is only able to offer the clinical times its faculty and cooperating hospitals, etc are willing to offer.

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i thought caring for the sick was acceptable, maybe not quite orthodox...hmm will have to ask my friend.....

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Not trying to be a smartie pants here, but what do hospitals in Israel do? I can pretty much guarantee that pts are not left unattended during the Sabbath. I'm betting that work like caring for the sick would be excused.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

i'm pretty sure caring for the sick is excused too... i work for an orthodox gastroenterologist who takes weekend call twice a month in the ER and is often at the hospital on friday and saturday in the middle of the night.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.
As I begin the applications process for nursing schools, I have one huuuuge concern - my religious obligations. I am not permitted to work/attend school, etc. from sunset Friday nights until an hour past sunset on Saturday nights because of the Jewish sabbath. I've heard that a lot of programs have 12hr clinicals on Saturdays...yikes! Has anyone "worked it out" with similar obligations?

Don't let the "irish" moniker fool you - I had my issues with nursing school and exams scheduled on Yom Kippur and such. I just went through the syllabus with my handy chabad calendar and met with the professor to discuss ways to meet the requirements of the class.

I had no trouble except for one clinical that I missed due to the first night of passover - I got an "absence counseling form". It was my *only* absence - but it was policy to give one out no matter the reason. So I included a few choice words in my "student comments" section. Then I had a chat with the dean about "cultural sensitivity". I never had a problem again.

As for working - you'd be surprised how many people will line up to switch for Xmas Eve and Day. I never have to work Thanksgiving...LOL Nurse Managers will work with you if you have to split a weekend - just be prepared to work a lot of Sundays and Mondays! :) I bet if you asked your Rav, being on duty over shabbas may be something worth getting a heter. (Permission to break with "the rules")

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more -

Blee

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.
Not trying to be a smartie pants here, but what do hospitals in Israel do? I can pretty much guarantee that pts are not left unattended during the Sabbath. I'm betting that work like caring for the sick would be excused.

Not everyone in Israel is observant - kind of like here in the US - an Israeli friend of mine told me that people would be lining up for the OT offered on the major Jewish Hols.

And I agree, I think that if the OP wasn't allowed to switch shifts, she would get the "Rabbincal Okey-dokie" to help the sick.

Blee

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Specializes in Utilization Review.
Not trying to be a smartie pants here, but what do hospitals in Israel do? I can pretty much guarantee that pts are not left unattended during the Sabbath. I'm betting that work like caring for the sick would be excused.

You took the words STRAIGHT out of my mouth. Great point. I absolutely agree with you.

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I hope we can work it out! We're a Chabad family ourselves, actually! :)

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