Religion at Work??

[njohnso4]

So I was perusing the website when I came upon the review section and saw "scripture scrubs".

Does anybody out there wear these? If so, in what type of setting do you work?

As my own little soap box I have to say sharing your faith at work even through your clothing seems unprofessional and not very nurse like, what about cultural sensitivity.

Thoughts feelings anyone?

[AmandaWIRN]

I personally would not wear them, but I wouldn't really care if anyone I worked with did. I would think that some employers might have a problem with it, unless of course it is a religious-affiliated hospital (catholic, presbyterian, methodist, etc....)

I know at my very first nursing job, my insurance would not cover birth control pills, because it was a Catholic hospital...

[MICU-RN]

Personally, I would not because [I only wear white, period.] I don't feel anyone should shove one's religion on another.

[cougarnurse]

The old time nuns wore their habits......

As long as the person doesn't try to 'convert' a patient, I have no problem. We are supposed to honor the patient's wishes, and if the scrubs 'open up' a dialogue, so be it (if the situation warrents it).

[SoldierNurse]

IMHO, as nurses we should advocate in support of the patient's religious beliefs, rather than our own. Hopefully, a conflict will not arise between caretaker & the one being taken care of regards to religious beliefs. So, the wear of scripture scrubs is inappropriate in most hospital settings.

Just my 2 cents.

[cougarnurse]

Just a bit off subject.....if do remember my Comparative Religion class teacher showing us where most religions have the 'Do unto others' line in it.

I guess I'd have to see the scrubs to really form an opinion.

[cassioo]

I wouldn't see a problem with them as long as the wearer wasn't saying here read my scrubs and believe my scrubs....on another note I've heard of a hospital here that had American flags as a unit decoration (this is close to several military bases also) but they had to take them down because it wasn't culturally sensitive...I'd have said too bad this is America and an American hospital so they stay

[OldSquidNewNurse]

Being a Humanist myself I would have a problem with it.

Would people have an issue with Qur'an texts printed on it? What about Santanic symbols? Because if you let Bible verses on scrubs then you would have to let all religions on scrubs.

[njohnso4]

I agree with the squirrel it turns into a slippery slope. So, why even begin going down that road?

[Ricu]

Interesting subject. I myself am comfortable discussing matters of faith at work and believe that this is very much a part of holistic care. That said, I would never expect all nurses to be as comfortable as I am with the subject. This is a very gray area and very personal. Becuase one isn't open to discuss faith doesn't mean that he or she isn't caring or compassionate and likewise, being faithful doesn't automatically make you caring and compassionate. Working in critical care, I find myself on this platform regularly but this has always been by invitation, not imposition. I don't wear Scripture scrubs, nor would I, but do wear a cross. You may or may not for that matter, be surprised to hear how many comments are made to me about that, all complimentary. My cross seems to serve as a subtle invitation to talk about faith because it implies and correctly so, that I am a faithful person and am willing to talk about it. Finally, this may sound like splitting hairs but I think there is a difference between wearing a cross and wearing scripture scrubs, the second being a little more "in your face." I'm pretty certain that in my area; far away from the Bible belt, scripture scrubs would close the door on any faith based dialogue.

Pax Christi,

R