asp40
New Member
Posts: 30
|
Post by asp40 on Mar 5, 2010 15:25:53 GMT -5
Hello. I am new to the forum and this is the first post that caught my eye. I am in a nursing program in NJ and have had nothing but trouble with my uniform and instructors. I am Modern Orthodox and cover my hair. I actually had an instructor announce to me in the lobby of a large hospital in front of my classmates and hospital guests, that I cant wear that thing. That did no go over well. Long story short, I was right and she was wrong - hopsital poilicy was head covereings for religious reasons are permitted.
Next with the skirt - no one has said much and I am the only one wearing the skirt. My biggest issue was finding white tights and then every time I bend over they slip and are annoying. I finallyt found white leggings and life is much improved.
I didnt en ask if I could wear a skirt, I just did. And there are a few others in the hospitals who do as well.
|
|
|
Post by medic09 on Mar 5, 2010 15:55:47 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum! I hope we'll hear more from you.
I'm sorry, and a bit surprised, that you are having SO much trouble over dress and with the instructors. Especially in NJ. While it is true that many instructors still have draconian notions about their station vis a vis the students; cultural diversity/competency is pushed hard in many programs. I wouldn't doubt for a moment that many accommodations can and are made for all sorts of cultural and religious considerations.
Who knows? You may be in the position to educate your program faculty a bit about the requirements of an observant Jewish nurse.
Welcome again, from one of the members! Shabbat Shalom!
|
|
asp40
New Member
Posts: 30
|
Post by asp40 on Mar 5, 2010 17:18:26 GMT -5
I too am surprised, as I live in a very Jewish area. The main problem has come over missing class/clinicals for Chagim, and the instructors give me a big problem each semester. Luckily, the director is on my side and we always work out a way for me to make up clinicals. Luckily, they cant get rid of me that easily. I think the issues wth uniform and such are that some professors just like to feel powerful and make you feel like nothing, so they do it even though they are going against hospital policy. I ahve had some clinical instructors who have been 100% fine.
Shabbat Shalom
|
|
|
Post by Rivka P on Mar 6, 2010 19:41:32 GMT -5
welcome. glad to have you as a member and hear your input. What ended up happening with your head covering? Did you switch to a wig and keep it a secret that you were actually covering your hair?
|
|
asp40
New Member
Posts: 30
|
Post by asp40 on Mar 6, 2010 23:42:27 GMT -5
No, I told the instructor that I cover my hair for religious reasons and it is allowed by the hospital. She said "I know, I had a Chasidic girl once, she wore a wig" (not in a nice tone)
So I replied, well, I do not wear a wig.
She got all huffy and then went off with the other instructors to consult the hospital manual, and then came back and told me that it was allowed, but the hospital might change their mind at any time.
Just annoying - the whole program has had issues with chagim and such. Luckily, I have been able to work things out with the director who is more understanding and willing to work with me.
|
|
|
Post by achot on Mar 7, 2010 4:10:11 GMT -5
Guys, I live in Israel and my Chassidic CEO who wears knickers and knee socks (for those who understand) told me he was giving favorable conditions to a different nurse because he liked the color of her (dyed and permed) hair better than my shaitel!!! Mind you I took myself and left for a place that appreciates me but it was terribly embarrassing when he said it (and not in private either) some people have no shame. ASP 40- welcome- and sorry you had tough experiences, what doesnt break us makes us stronger right? and now you can tell Hashem how we endured for his mitzvot!
|
|
|
Post by chayam on May 30, 2010 19:56:08 GMT -5
I'm a little surprised that your school is not accommodating on this one. With all the focus today on "cultural competence" you really should have the upper hand if you spoke to some administrative people in the school. You might just want to couch it in terms of "culture" and "respect" and "diversity".
|
|
asp40
New Member
Posts: 30
|
Post by asp40 on Jun 1, 2010 19:16:25 GMT -5
chayam - I am not sure if you were posting to me or the otiginal poster.
For me, it is all about the instructors. I have never had a uniform issue aside from that one instructor. I have many Chagim issues which have been worked out but only because I have pushed them to work it out. They cannot wait for me to graduate!
|
|
|
Post by Rivka P on Jun 1, 2010 23:16:49 GMT -5
ASP, did you ever work out the uniform issue? Did you need to go to a higher-up? If so, did you make sure to mention cultural competency?
|
|
asp40
New Member
Posts: 30
|
Post by asp40 on Jun 3, 2010 15:44:56 GMT -5
Yes, I just told the teacher that my head covering was permitted and she was all huffy but she got over it. None of my other clinical instructors have ever said anything and when I did peds I even wore my fun colorful pre-tieds. I wear a skirt with white leggings underneath (much easier to work in than stockings) and it has been fine. I only had to wear pants for L&D and there were actually several frum nurses also in pants. It all worked out since I knew what was allowed and confronted the teacher when she was oh so rude to me.
|
|
|
Post by rachel on Jun 6, 2010 10:24:45 GMT -5
Hi:
I can relate to your issues. I am just at the beginning of the road. I am the first frum nurse in my program in Ct. The director called me to have a meeting about the days I will miss. I hope she will be nice about the whole thing despite the inconvenience. I resolved the uniform issue with the consent of a rav. I guess I will mention the whole hair thing at the meeting. The director will really love me. Ah! to be the first. Just stay strong you will get through it.
|
|
|
Post by achot on Jun 7, 2010 5:29:31 GMT -5
Rachel. Welcome and good luck with the director. I am sure you will fcus on the positive, i.e. how happy you are to be a part of the school, how you will work hard and look forward to being a credit to the school etc. Regarding your religious obligations, assure him that they will not interfere with the essentials of your nursing student obligations- your studies and practicals. I think some people mentions cultural competence etc. Treat the hair thing as something that will absolutely not interfere with your abilities to contribute to the class. again- Good luck!!
|
|