In my hospital we are facing the issue of respecting the culture and religion of the nurses themselves. We have a Hindu nurse who insists that she be allowed to wear a nose ring because it is part of her culture. Our hospital standards do not allow nurses to wear this kind of jewelry for safety and sanitation reasons. How do we respect this nurse's cultural values and maintain our own standards? I appreciate your help.

-- Kristin Nelson (kristinnelson@yahoo.com), January 29, 2002

Answers

Our hospital standards do not allow nurses to wear this kind of jewelry for safety and sanitation reasons… May be a vector of introducing further complications for our patients … and that is a RULE...

I have yet to see a facility where these rules are strictly adhered to, with the logical areas and situations excluded, may be most have realized the contradictions and lack of logic in their application. We are talking about a small ring not a 4” hoop dangling from her nostrils. It is not a rare sight to find nurses wearing rings, necklaces, earrings, eyebrow rings, belly rings … etc. Not to mention manicured long fingernails, watch. Did I forget to mention the other vectors? Stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, scissors, and my favorite is the toy area in the patient waiting area. And we worry about a simple nose ring? Go figure. A wedding band is acceptable because of the cultural meaning attached to it, I am sure no one can defend its potential to harbor all kinds of critters. On the other hand, the nose ring is not a … vector of introducing further complications for our patients... and its cultural meaning should be respected.

… in the first place why does she choose tthat profession if she knows that her beliefs will be affected.

This seems to be the popular response from most nurses (not all thank God) ‘If you don’t like it leave’ … All nurses want respect for the knowledge and experience they bring to the job. Foreign nurses are no different. It is not for safety and sanitation reasons… xenophobia and ethnocentrism are the likely culprits here. Even though an encouraging number of health care organizations are beginning to embrace diversity issues, much work still lies ahead. Clearly, taking time to listen, understand and making attempts to explore mutually acceptable alternatives is the ideal. Cultural Sensitivity and Competence.

-- Victor F. (victor@culturediversity.org), January 12, 2004.

Ok, silly me, but are you allowed to wear earrings? neclaces? rings? same concept as far as i am concerned.

-- Raylene Hall RN (ssolilrose@aol.com), June 18, 2002.

I've seen manicured nails on so many nurses that look like weapons, and probably harbor all kinds of critters. I cannot see any "sanitary " reason with nose rings that would affect patient care. In terms of safety if the nurse is willing to risk it being yanked out by someone, hey, life is short- let her wear it. Where I work there are many countries and cultures represented and I have not heard of any restrictions like this.

-- Alison Campoli (jcampoli@optonline.net), June 18, 2002.

before we become a nurse we were desciplned by our CI's and taught us the rationale why we are not allowed to wear jewelries right?as a health care giver{nurse} we know that these may be a vector of introducing further complications for our patients...as far as i know we do have our different cultural beliefs...maybe we can follow that belief if we were out of that certain rule...wearing of jewelries while in nursing duty was clearly stated to us and that is a RULE...in the first place why does she choose tthat profession if she knows that her beliefs will be affected.Respect the rule...this way you will be respected by your colegues....U

-- Katherine Valle (pretty_chenise@yahoo.com), January 07, 2004.

Would you remove your wedding ring when you go to work?

The nose ring for some women is a sign of honor, and a rite of passage. If she is wearing it because she is a mother along with the bindu, and working with patients of her enthnicity and background; are you subjecting her to embarassment or being taken less seriously.

Also can your establishment stand up should she decide that she doesn't want to deal with the frustration and says that she was descriminated against because of her religion.

-- Seichi (seichimat@yahoo.com), November 12, 2004.