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?

Specializes in public health, hospice.

Had to relate to your dilema...here in Israel most of the nurses are allowed to work on the Sabbath and even can use hosp. transportation due to the "pikuah nefesh" clause. Even on Yom Kippur ambulances and transportation to and from hosp, with staff, are the only ones seen on the roads because of this clause. There are those from the ultra religious (hassidim) sector that do not work in the hospitals if they cannot walk to work on Fri. eves and Saturdays. I recommend, however, that for your personal state of mind, consult with your rabbi and get his or her advice. Good luck!

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Specializes in Cardiac surgery ICU.

I live in Israel, and although I am not observant, i worked Shabat in my younger days, most hospitals keep kashrut and the shabat, and we have Jewish and non Jewish nurses working, also doctors. In israel it is more of a problem because the majority is Jewish, and although the majority is non orthodox, they like to rest on Shabat.

Working on Shabat is pikuah nefesh, so it's okay in my opinion. BUt from experience as a Jewish nurse working in Israel, I can tell you you can always sort things out. We had many observant Jews, they did not work Shabat, but they did work Motsey Shabat night shift.

There is an orthodox hospital there they have goy leshebat who do the work, like writing, answering the phone, etc. There is an ambulance service that have goy leshabat as drivers.

There is always a solution, you just have to look for it.

Wish you good luck with everything.

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Specializes in Cardiac surgery ICU.

In Israel you could have pressed the call button. There are all kinds of patents for the orthodox.

Call buttons have a sort of delay system so that when you press it doesn't ring at the station straight away.

Shabat lifts stop automatically on every floor so you can go in and out without having to press any button, you just need patience!! Not all the lifts are for Shabat, and they are Shabat lifts only on Shabat and holidays.

Easy life for Jews in Israel!!!

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Specializes in Did the job hop, now in MS. Not Bad!!!!!.
Y'know, there are very few Jews in the world - about 12 million, I believe. That's largely because other groups often try to, you know, wipe them out. Wiped all all of European Jewry not so far back. Some are still trying. Yet they are always criticized for taking care of themselves and not everyone else.

I will never get it.

I actually heard someone say, "Yeah, their Holocaust. Like it was only them!"

Huh? Yes, others were killed, but not with the same glee and particular sadism as the Jewish prisoners. And when they tried to flee they were turned away, including from this country, and their ships turned around to certain death.

Never again.

Sorry. I get a little passionate about my chosen people. I feel a tremendous affinity for Judaism and the Jews. Maybe that 1/4 does it. I don't know.

SUE, you're MOT? KNEW I LOVED YOU!!

My only question is this, do you ever get tired of all the reindeer and secret santa games pushed on you to join in on at work to spend your whopping $25 bonus check, and have to endure the endless hours of xmas carols played in the disk player, or see the annoying commercialization of the trees, balls, garland and ick glitter only to have to hear how I don' t get it if I do speak up? I DON' T GET IT? I'm not commercializing it. I actually do get it. I just get sick of it.

nuff said. you know where I am girlie. HAPPY FIRST CANDLE!

HUGS!

Chloe

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Specializes in CCU/ER.
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?

hi texasmommy,

i just wanted to let you know that i had the same concerns about the sabbath and holy days when i started nursing school a few years ago and i would suggest to you to sit down with one of the professors. you should have one assigned to you on admission to the nursing program or, if not, you can request an appointment with a professor to discuss your concerns. i'm in tennessee, not that far away from you. i also went to school in a very rural area where my beliefs are very different from the majority. i simply met with someone and explained the situtation, that way they knew what they were getting into and i knew that i had cooperation from them. i also keep certain holy days (yom kippur for example) and i took my calendar with me on the first day of class and knew what days i would miss. my instructors re scheduled my clinicals accordingly and most of them did it without any problems. i just wanted to encourage you to "stick with your guns", because i know what its like to be in your position. if you are serious about not working on the seventh day sabbath, stand with your decision and more than likely they will work with you. if not, you have the option of moving on to a different nursing program. as for life after nursing school and working on the sabbath, you may or may not meet opposition to the sabbath. but, i assure you there are plenty of jobs out there that won't care one bit about you choosing not to work for twenty four hours out of the week. you may have to prepare to work alot of sundays and holidays though (but the good thing is you get paid better to work on those days).... i hope all goes well for you. i hope also that this encouraged you. it encourages me to see people out there that are like me and facing the same challenges i did. hang in there!! its all so worth it!!!

thank you!

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SUE, you're MOT? KNEW I LOVED YOU!!

My only question is this, do you ever get tired of all the reindeer and secret santa games pushed on you to join in on at work to spend your whopping $25 bonus check, and have to endure the endless hours of xmas carols played in the disk player, or see the annoying commercialization of the trees, balls, garland and ick glitter only to have to hear how I don' t get it if I do speak up? I DON' T GET IT? I'm not commercializing it. I actually do get it. I just get sick of it.

nuff said. you know where I am girlie. HAPPY FIRST CANDLE!

HUGS!

Chloe

I have a Jewish grandfather and husband. Does that make me a MOT? ;)

Actually, I do't buy into much Biblical, any testaments, so as a secular humanist I get real tired of this season real fast.

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Specializes in DOU.

What's a MOT?

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Maybe it is during Lent that I've noticed, or maybe she keeps it up during the entire year. I wasn't very close to her so I can't say.

Nonetheless it's still an odd practice....in my opinion.

this no meat fast now only covers ash wednesday (start of lent) and good friday. it was a custoom on firdays not to eat meat in rememberance of the good friday sacrfice.

fish are not considered meat by roman catholic tradition

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Natania, MOT= Member of the Tribe.

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Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
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?

I am familiar with Seventh-Day adventists who also observe the Sabbath as you described. If you are working in the medical profession, this church will accept that...maybe you would be excused as well?

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Specializes in NICU, Telephone Triage.
Ummm, this is a Christian link :o

yes, it is from the Seventh-Day Adventist church. They also observe the Sabbath like Orthodox Jews do. (by observing it on Sat.) They do not believe the Sabbath was changed to Sunday.

I found the site helpful in explaining the Sabbath.

Are there any SDA's here? Maybe they could share their experience.

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

Thank you for the education. Most informative. Also--FYI--unless I misunderstand, one cannot be discriminated against because of religion. Therefore, I would think that law would REQUIRE faculty/hospital (unless it is a private institution--I think those do not have to follow the same rules to the same extent, but not sure) to work with you. Best wishes!

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