Working as a CNA as a muslim?

vanilla bean · May 6, 2015

I saw this thread under the Nursing and Spirituality forum a while back that may be of interest to you. I don't think it will answer all of your questions but perhaps will help some.

Kittenlove · May 6, 2015

Walaikum Salam,

I am speaking from a managers point.

*Yes, you may wear your Hijab, that is not an issue.

*I have not seen too many long sleeved scrubs, but you can wear a long sleeve shirt under your scrubs. May sure to get good quality under shirts!

*It really depends. I highly suggest you speak to your clinical professor and future employers about what you can and cannot do before hand. I have hired a Muslim nurse that was very shy, but I asked her to be very honest with me. We were able to work out a good plan where her patient care does not interfere with her beliefs.

That being said, you still will need to show competency will all the skills as your fellow mates and it is important to discuss this with your professors. Also, once working as a CNA, work with your team. If there is something that you prefer not to do, ask one of your fellow CNA's or Nurse and switch a task! For example, while they do the male catheter for you, you can assist another one of their female patients to the toilet.

Miss.LeoRN · May 6, 2015

There are a couple of Muslim girls in my class, so hopefully my observations can help. I know whatever program you may go into might be different from the one we are in, however, both girls are allowed to wear their Hijab and there has been no issues concerning it. It just has to be the same color as their uniform. They are also allowed to wear a long sleeve shirt under their scrubs. Our colors are white and navy blue so the shirt they wear is usually either or. Also, they both wear either a dress, or a skirt. I don't know if there would apply to you as well. As for the patient question, I can't answer as neither are in my specific clinical group.

Red Kryptonite · May 6, 2015

I don't think anyone should become a CNA thinking they can only provide care to certain groups. Either provide care to all patients or stay out. When you're at work doing patient care, it's not about you. I don't care if you wear hijab as long as you secure it and it's not an infection control issue. I don't want anyone telling me I can't wear my crucifix, so I get that. Same with long sleeves, scrub skirts, etc, as long as they don't interfere with your ability to do your job or increase infection risk for patients, go for it.

But you can not enter health care saying, "I will provide care to this group, but not that group." You just can't. Plus, to be completely blunt (like I haven't already LOL), I don't want to be the CNA who gets stuck with a bigger assignment because you've decided you can't take care of certain people.

Everline · May 6, 2015

I have to second what Red Kryptonite said. As a CNA, you need to be prepared to do your job, which generally includes taking care of the hygiene needs of male patients. If you cannot do this, you might want to reconsider becoming a CNA.

Having said that, what you can and can't do or wear will depend on your school and your future work place. My school did not allow long sleeve shirts, but were okay with 3/4 length. In the hospital I have seen CNAs and nurses wearing long sleeve shirts under their scrub tops and I am one of them...simply because I get cold. As long as it does not drag into sterile areas or cause other such problems, it should generally be ok. But again, it's best to inquire at the specific location.

Kittenlove · May 6, 2015

I don't think anyone should become a CNA thinking they can only provide care to certain groups. Either provide care to all patients or stay out. When you're at work doing patient care, it's not about you. I don't care if you wear hijab as long as you secure it and it's not an infection control issue. I don't want anyone telling me I can't wear my crucifix, so I get that. Same with long sleeves, scrub skirts, etc, as long as they don't interfere with your ability to do your job or increase infection risk for patients, go for it.
But you can not enter health care saying, "I will provide care to this group, but not that group." You just can't. Plus, to be completely blunt (like I haven't already LOL), I don't want to be the CNA who gets stuck with a bigger assignment because you've decided you can't take care of certain people.

I absolutely agree. That being said, to provide accommodation for a fellow worker does not mean more work for the other team members. That's why I suggested that the OP speaks to her employer before hand so they can determine if proper accommodation can be made. It does not work out in every situation and other team members should not have a heavier assignment. That is not fair. Whenever I do assignments, I look at acuity. Patients are rated from being a 1, which is independent and a 5 which is total care. I try to be sure everyone has the same average.

But I will say some, if not, many employers will look past accommodation. As it is understood, we all went into healthcare providing care for all, not a select group. I should have added that in my original post. Speaking to different Muslims, there are no issues to provide care as a healthcare worker.

verene, MSN · May 6, 2015

Yes, Muslims can be CNAs. The hospital unit I volunteer on has several Muslim employees both male and female working there. The women usually wear hijab and long sleeve shirts under their scrubs. All of the female techs I work with do provide care to men including perineal care and bathing assistance if needed - I haven't witnessed it being a problem for them or for their patients.

There is a thread here https://allnurses.com/nursing-and-spirituality/looking-for-fellow-818298.html which may have more supportive and relevant answers to you.

HaroonCopeland · Jul 20, 2019

On 5/6/2015 at 11:38 AM, verene said:
Yes, Muslims can be CNAs. The hospital unit I volunteer on has several Muslim employees both male and female working there. The women usually wear hijab and long sleeve shirts under their scrubs. All of the female techs I work with do provide care to men including perineal care and bathing assistance if needed - I haven't witnessed it being a problem for them or for their patients.
There is a thread here https://allnurses.com/nursing-and-spirituality/looking-for-fellow-818298.html which may have more supportive and relevant answers to you.

Gotta reply to this, as a Muslim revert/convert myself, you shouldn't force or pressure other Muslims to do something that other Muslims have compromised to do. To be frank, those Muslims are going against their religion flat out and are being sinful in doing so. If someone told me 'other Muslims do it' I'd tell them they're not following their religion and I am, I won't compromise either because Allah tells us not to compromise our faith for nothing. That's their problem not mine. Some 'Muslims' don't pray either and that's a nullifier of faith which makes one not Muslim at all anymore so a hijab is pointless after that and just becomes a fashion accessory. Muslims are not allowed to work on the opposite sex unless absolutely necessary and needed and no other way around it like the person is dying and they're the ONLY ones that can do the job!

verene, MSN · Jul 20, 2019

2 hours ago, HaroonCopeland said:
Gotta reply to this, as a Muslim revert/convert myself, you shouldn't force or pressure other Muslims to do something that other Muslims have compromised to do. To be frank, those Muslims are going against their religion flat out and are being sinful in doing so. If someone told me 'other Muslims do it' I'd tell them they're not following their religion and I am, I won't compromise either because Allah tells us not to compromise our faith for nothing. That's their problem not mine. Some 'Muslims' don't pray either and that's a nullifier of faith which makes one not Muslim at all anymore so a hijab is pointless after that and just becomes a fashion accessory. Muslims are not allowed to work on the opposite sex unless absolutely necessary and needed and no other way around it like the person is dying and they're the ONLY ones that can do the job!

I want to make it clear I am not forcing anyone to do anything. This OP asked a question (4 years ago I might add), and I provided answer based on what I had witnessed of Muslim CNAs providing care, which is that yes, it is possible for Muslim women and men to work as CNAs.

I recognize that for a Muslim woman who wears a niqaab or chador, that wearing a hijab and regular scrubs with long-sleeves under may not be considered modest enough. That for some Muslims any compromise to working with the opposite sex may not be acceptable. However those who follow Islam exist on a spectrum - just as there are Christians or Jews who do not provide care to the opposite sex or who cover their hair and wear loose modest clothing, there are those who don't. I don't know what sect of Islam OP belongs to, nor his or her personal beliefs and practice when it comes to Islam, nor the recommendations of his/her Imam on this particular subject.

At this particular health care facility that I referenced (secular hospice center at a county funded hospital) accommodations for some form of modest dress, bathing facilities for wudu, and space and time for salah did exist. Given patient loads and staff mix it was not always possible to *only* provide care for the same-sex of patient, and my Muslim coworkers did provide care - including bathing and toileting assistance - to individuals of both sexes. Does this make them "bad" Muslims? I don't know. It is not for me to judge. I can say that they tended to the needs of dying patients and their families with grace and compassion, and I would gladly have any of them care for me, or care for my family.

It is ultimately up to the OP, or any individual considering this career path, to make a determination for him/herself if the work is compatible with their special beliefs and personal values.

Rionoir, ADN, RN · Jul 21, 2019

Nothing like bringing up a four year old post so you can virtue signal...