To Scarf or not to Scarf

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2007

Were you wearing the full niqab there *might* be issues. But a head covering isn't a problem. So many different faiths require modesty from women and some even require that men cover their heads as a sign of humility.

Good luck!

psalm, RN · Dec 14, 2007

Is this a full covering of the hair or a small lace-type doiley? I am not trying to be facetious, but I don't recall what it is called. Some Mennonite ladies and even some Baptists wear a small covering, I call it a "token" covering, similar to having to bobby pin a kleenex to my head as a little Catholic kid for school Mass, coz I forgot my beanie at home.

I am not Catholic anymore and I know that head covering for females isn't required anymore, but I have seen faiths that "require" women to have some sort of head-covering. Some believe it is longer hair that is the covering, and not an inanimate object.

Whatever it is, if it is part of your relationship with God as you believe, you are "protected" legally.

elizabells, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2007

There's a nurse on my unit who wears a large headscarf that pins underneath her chin and goes halfway down her back - I've never heard anyone say a word about it.

Caveat: I live in New York City, where all styles of dress are pretty common. I don't know enough about Michigan to know if it's more unusual to see a woman in a headscarf.

2bNurse Smart · Dec 14, 2007

Thank you for your replies.

To describe it a little more clearly: it is a full head covering but doesn't cover your face.

I believe it is what I want to do and was just wondering how I would be perceived.

Again, Thank you.

tonyal · Dec 15, 2007

With all the different beliefs around in the Detroit area, i don't see any problems being caused by wearing it. I know that it is very common especially in the Dearborn area to see it.

mom2is · Dec 15, 2007

I have seen nurses and doctors (residents) wear them in the metro Detroit area. If it is a longer covering, some tuck them into their lab coat or scrubs.

CITCAT · Dec 15, 2007

you may want to speak to your future schools policy about the head covering issue In some instances it can be dangerous especially with pysch rotation good luck to you

danissa, LPN, LVN · Dec 15, 2007

Hello.
I just wanted to hear your opinions on this.
I am from a religion that states a female should cover her hair with a scarf. I am 37 years old and untill now I haven't. Lately, I have been debating this. Well, I am going to start nursing school in January and am really considering wearing the scarf.
Am just curious, as to why, at aged 37, you haven't worn the scarf, and are just now considering it to wear at nursing school? What have you done before this to cover your hair, if your religion requires this? Just wonderin why it's so important in nursing school, if it wasn't before:uhoh3:?

rntoben2008 · Dec 15, 2007

Hello.
I just wanted to hear your opinions on this.
I am from a religion that states a female should cover her hair with a scarf. I am 37 years old and untill now I haven't. Lately, I have been debating this. Well, I am going to start nursing school in January and am really considering wearing the scarf. What I wanted to hear from you is if there are any concerns I should take into consideration, such as: discrimination in nursing school or in the hospital setting from staff or patients? I would greatly appreciate your honest opinion.

Just a little analyzing, why would you find this an issue after 37 years of not wearing it? and how does that correlate with nursing school?

Just an FYI, there are people in school with this covering, there are nurses at the hospitals with this covering, and it doesn't seem to be a problem for them. Good luck on your dilemma...

2bNurse Smart · Dec 15, 2007

Well the reason I haven't worn it till now is because growing up my family always gave me the option of wearing it or not. I chose not to. But now I am starting to feel more religious and want to get closer to my faith. I also feel like God has been good to me. I feel like starting nursing school is a new chapter in my life and would like to start it with the blessing of God.

pickledpepperRN · Dec 15, 2007

I know a nurse who has sewn head scarves to match her scrub tops.

Decades ago she did not but returned to the fait of her family.

Last year our family reunion was at Belle isle, Detroit. In the towns of Michigan we visited many women and teen girls wear a head covering so I can't imagine it would be unusual.

I pretty much bonded with a cousin in law who is a nurse. She was born in Iraq and grew up in Michigan. She does not wear a scarf but her sister does.