Inclusive Clinical Practice and Policy for Muslim Nursing Students

Purpose: Increasing diversity in nursing offers opportunities and challenges. This article addresses considerations for clinical and educational policies when working with Muslim nursing students and suggests changes to facilitate inclusive environments. Approach: This article describes the twofold response of a school of nursing where Muslim nursing students encountered potential limitations in clinical experiences. Faculty conducted a review of literature and examined policies to determine barriers to inclusivity for Muslim nursing students in clinical practice. Outcomes: Few research articles exist to guide construction of inclusive practices. The review of policies for the school of nursing and clinical agencies revealed problematic language and wording that could lead to exclusive practices. Clinical Relevance: For the nursing profession to embrace diversity, faculty must be aware of the discrimination and general lack of knowledge toward Muslim nurses/students in the United States and reasonable accommodation for cultural and religious beliefs.