Frum students who only want to work w/ each other

[Rivka P]

kiddush hashem is a big factor in this situation. thought it sounds like you may have had no control over the situation, i also see why it's frustrating. unsure if I would have spoken up to the other frum students who broke off from the clinical groups or not.

You are right that cultural competence is a large part of nursing. If you do end up saying something, though it may be too late, I would definitely make sure to include the concept of chillul hashem and cultural competency.

[achot]

I happen to agree with you and be careful as this can be dangerous, In our nsg school, there were a group of about 8 frum girls, two decided to do something wrong (lets leave this anonymous) and the whole group of 8 got punished for it....by being detained from continuing classes for a whole year. They had to wait a year and jump in with the next year.

Since you are working together on this, I would bring it up between the 10 of you that it isnt such a great thing to ALWAYS be working together, it doesnt reflect on your ability to work with randomly thrown together groups as in real life!!

Do other group projects seperately and when you sit for an exam, be careful NOT to sit together lest you be accuse of cheating!!

This is certainly a test of your leadership capabilities!! But try not to make too big of a deal either, that would be counterproductive as well.

I do hope you for friendships with everyone in the long run anyway!!

[medic09]

Chayan, I also agree with you. I think your last paragraph covers it. As the others pointed out, I would be careful to limit my critique to 'professional' aspects of being a Jew: kiddush Hashem (when we work well together and morally), chillul Hashem, learning from others in legitimate ways, contributing to the larger society, hesed.

Personally, I think you're right that it may reflect a certain lack of religious or social maturity; but I wouldn't go there.

To their credit, maybe they're just scared. If they haven't worked much outside a frum framework, they may be seeking their comfort zone. Nursing school can really stress some folks. But I still think this is a bad idea.

Watch out for social dynamics. When you break the unwritten code or law and disagree with the 'group', the 'group' may respond negatively to you. It happens in every society, large and small. That's how cliques form and maintain themselves.

Let us know how you get on.