Reconciling Faith and Profession: Challenges Faced by Ultra-Orthodox Jewish (Haredi) Nurses in Israel-A Qualitative...

Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish women who enter the nursing profession face a unique set of challenges. While nursing aligns with core religious values, such as compassion, caregiving, and the preservation of life, it may also conflict with communal expectations concerning exposure to secular environments, gender interactions, and strict observance of the Sabbath and religious holidays. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Haredi nurses in choosing and practicing nursing as a profession. A qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 21 Haredi nurses in Israel. Thematic analysis identified three central themes reflecting both personal and social dimensions of their experiences: (1) personal conviction and negotiation, (2) societal resistance, and (3) the pursuit of legitimacy. This study enhances the growing literature on integrating minority healthcare professionals by revealing how Haredi women develop and express their professional identities, navigate communal expectations, and act as cultural brokers in Israel's healthcare system.