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School Nurse Conundrum

May 28, 2009 by Debra Mason

Next week, Jack, a school nurse, is planning to check the students in his elementary school for scoliosis and vision, hearing and dental problems. The school has a large number of students who are the children of immigrants from the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa. In a recent nursing workshop, Jack heard about transcultural health care. He wants to make sure he provides good care to the students. After the principal sent a note to the students’ parents telling them about these screenings, several parents expressed concern. The concerned parents were from the following traditions: Muslim, Hmong, Sikh and Christian Science.

Issues and Study Questions

  • Based on the overview above, what is the conflict?
  • What are the beliefs at issue here?
  • Why did the parents object?
  • What could Jack, the school or the parents do differently?
  • Why was religion an issue in this situation?
  • What is the responsibility of schools/nurses in such a situation? What about other professions?
  • Do you think there is a “right” and “wrong” way to handle this situation? Why? Why not?
  • Have you faced similar conflicts in your own profession or personal life? If so, what were they? Were they resolved?
  • What can be learned?
  • Do you think education about religious literacy would have helped/harmed in this situation? How so?

Source: Religion and the Professions (General Honors 1030) taught by Dr. Jill Raitt, University of Missouri

Filed Under: News Tagged With: case study, center on religion & the professions, christian science, course, education, faith, Hmong, medicine, multicultural, Muslim, religion, religious literacy, school, sikh, spirituality, spiritualty and health, university of missouri, workplace

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