Nursing, No Longer A White Woman's Job?

[Gomer]

Discussion overheard at lunch today: ER RN (white female) "discussing" her opinion with Respiratory Therapist (white, male) and EMT (black, male) that within 10-years white women will no longer be in the majority as far as bedside nursing goes. Her argument was that women have more opportunities to go into other professions than when she was young (guessing she's in her late 50's) and that since we are importing nurses from "third-world countries" no white woman will be a bedside RN in the future. EMT agreed and said that it's not just white women, that he wouldn't want his daughter or son to be a RN. The RT kept quiet and continued to eat his tuna sandwich.

So, I wonder, do any others of you feel that way? That is, that women (white, black, brown, etc) in America have more opportunities, more career choices now than ever before; and that the nursing profession will become the immigrant's first job in America?

[jayna, RN]

Okay, AS for me from the cool pacific. This is new to me.

And I don't feel offended.

But but let me tell ya my story.

I travelled around to NZ, Aussie, England and Switzerland. Never felt inferior until I stepped in the Asia soil. From Philippines to Vietnam, OMG. I got the shock of my life at how Asias felt about Black ppl. They can be very rude and can clearly show it in their faces. And this is especially women/ girls and young boys. OMG

Well, when on the street, they can just laughed at you calling you a lowest pig(black is lowest in vietnam culture). And here me not give a damn on what this is all about who cares about what the heck they are saying. I will talk english and this is just put a full stop on them.(Suprise a black person can speak white ppl's language..hahhahaha).

When ever am in the shops they will laughed and stare and screw their faces and when I spoke english , they will be suprise and they will ask where I work and I said WHO, this is just scared the hell outta them and trying to help me.

Okay this topic is very different, but I just wanna share this with you. That Some Asians can be very rude and I came across most here and got the shock of my Entire life. But who cares.

I don't give a damn.

Sorry if I may offend some Asia...............give you a SMILE.

:roll

[Brownms46]

Originally posted by Figaro's Mom

"I don't see that as sticking your head in the sand; I see it as beating a dead horse when folks would like to move on to more pressing things."

By Brownie:

YOU are kidding right?? Move on to more pressing things?? What's pressing...and if it's pressing, why are you wasting time posting to a thread you don't think is worth your time?? Did you feel requred to post?? Look I'm not try to be ill with you Figaro's Mom...but I don't see the problem??? I read topics on a daily basis, and I pick and chose what I'm interested enough in to

respond to. That is what anyone who doesn' want to participate, or read this thread should do.

There are minorities who don't participate in these kinds of threads...for whatever reason. But maybe one of the reasons..is people saying their tired of beating a dead horse. The horse will be dead, when racism doesn't exist. And since it does still exist, and those who aren't the norm have to deal with it on a daily basis...then this is exactly the place that should come to discuss it. It's pertinent to what is happening to them in the circles in which they live and work! Just because one, two or 10 minorities don't want to discuss the topic...that doesn't mean it is relevent enough to tell others they can't or shouldn't either!

It sounds to me like the woman who originally made this comment feels threatened, which makes no sense to me. I would think in the midst of a nursing shortage, ANY competent compassionate nurse, regardless of where they're from or what they look like, would be welcomed to work side-by-side!

Brownie : And here I agree with you...no matter what the person looks like, or believes, everyone should feel accepted for their knowledge, and what they bring to the assistance of others. I don't care who takes care of me...as long as they believe in taking care of me as they would themselves!!

I can recite story after story of not only racist acts perpetuated against nurses...but MDs too! In fact I will! I worked with a DO, who was an OB/GYN, and BLACK! He came to S. C. to fulfill a requirement to pay back loans he received in school. He was promised the opportunity to work in an area of his and his wife's chosing. His wife was a surgeon. They lied! Problem is...his wife just happened to be white! Anyway..long story short....the first place they sent them was a distraster!!

Then they sent him to S. C....wrong again!! Not only did they not provide a place for him to bring his family...they tried their best to get rid of him. They put him up in a studio apart...for an assignment that was supposed to last two years. when he tired to find a bigger place...when he would arrive to see it ....they would tell him it was taken!!!

The state board of licensing...kept LOSING his paper work..numerous times!!! When he finally did get his license..and applied to the hospital where he was supposed to work for privileges...THEY (hospital) KEPT losing his paperwork!!

After about 6 mons...He got tired of the whole thing...and got a lawyer...as it became obvious the hospital didn't want him there! The hospital had accepted 2mil from a healthy start grant d/t low infant mortality, as they were on the verge of bankruptcy. Do you know they tried to give the money back rather then have him work in their hospital as a DR!!! He WON his case.. and didn't have to pay back another dime!! This was in 1997...not 20yrs ago!!! Hopefully he is now living peacefully back in MO. Now I could go on, and on, and on...but racism isn't something we need to talk about... right???

Sorry about making this long...I really did try to stop after the first paragraph...

[RNforLongTime]

Originally posted by canoehead

Hey, I'm tired about talking about race but obviously there are some people that still have issues. They have every right to discuss it as long as they are respectful to each other.

Ditto! As long as people are being respectful of one another, I cannot and will not close a thread.

[mattsmom81]

JMHO, but I like the kinds of dialogue where we may speak honestly to one another and ask intelligent questions...how do we learn about each other's varied cultural backgrounds, opinions, etc. if we can't discuss??

I took Gomer's original post as a "Hey I overheard this and I'm not sure what to make of it...what do you guys think?" kinda post.

If some of us aggravate others, intentionally or not, we CAN simply choose (or not) to ignore...but I HOPE we can all continue to try and communicate despite our differences, because I sure don't like the alternative.....I'm MUCH too talkative to enjoy silence amongst my peers!! :)

Luv ya'll!! And ps..I am PALER than pale (always hated it...wanted a nice tan shade) and work with lovely people of ALL shades, genders, and preferences (and I luv them too...good people come in all packages, don't they???) .:)

I like all your pics...guess I need to fork out some $$ for a scanner to put my own mug up for the world to see.

[live4today, RN]

Racism does exist...always has existed...always will, just like poverty exist...always has...always will. Liars, thieves, adulterers, rich people, people with power over others, people without a home, people without food, people always looking for a handout when they could support themselves (or take advantage of opportunities to get out of whatever rut they may be in), people of MANY colors, classes, educational levels, and so forth...THESE will ALWAYS exist.

It is NOT a question of whether these matters that affect LIFE exist, the question is "How can WE...as a human race of so many nationalities, ethnic cultures, skin colors, etc., become a more unified body of people on Planet Earth?"

Is Earth not roomy enough for us all that we don't have to feel as if we must step on one another's character just to hold a heartfelt conversation about how racism...or whatever else...affects one person's life?

Perhaps the direction this thread SHOULD go is for each person who has personally experienced prejudice within their work environment as a healthcare professional to express their own personal heartfelt emotions in regard to what affected THEM...cutting out the arguments as to whether prejudice exist or not...we know that it does...but to what extent does it impact your own personal life as a nurse, a CNA, etc.?

EXAMPLE: Jayna shared a personal experience of her own that had a DIRECT impact on her life.

If we aren't sharing our own personal experience with prejudice in the workforce against us, then all we are doing is sharing 'someone else's story with racism'...and not our own personal venture with it.

Just trying to narrow things down a little so we can STILL learn about racism in the workforce among healthcare workers WITHOUT someone feeling attacked. Perhaps those viewing this particular thread who wish to post would post their own personal story(ies) with prejudice/racism if they knew they wouldn't be attacked for sharing something very personal that happened to them on their job. Many people do NOT like conflict...therefore avoiding situations that would bring them into it. They have a right to share, so if this thread tones down to a nonattack setting, making it more nurse-friendly and SAFE, perhaps more nurses would share. Everyone's experience has meaning to them...regardless of where they come from, who they are, or what their race may or may not be.

RESPECT...JUST A LITTLE RESPECT...says Aretha Franklin! :kiss

[LasVegasRN]

Originally posted by cheerfuldoer

Many people do NOT like conflict...therefore avoiding situations that would bring them into it. They have a right to share, so if this thread tones down to a nonattack setting, making it more nurse-friendly and SAFE, perhaps more nurses would share. Everyone's experience has meaning to them...regardless of where they come from, who they are, or what their race may or may not be.

RESPECT...JUST A LITTLE RESPECT...says Aretha Franklin! :kiss

Well said!

[micro, RN]

discrimation and prejudice exists in all forms.

it is so sad and so yet easy to not discuss or be flippant over.........

differences in people, different in cultures, different socioeconomic, different .............

but we are so the same if people would just be who they are instead of throwing up walls.........

i have dealt with discrimation due to ............. Bothered me for far too many years, but finally I truly don't give a d.......in regards to myself that is..

Racism does exist, sad to say as well as much other darkness out there........thank goodness it has started to change

Love to all here,

btw, cool pics all

nice to meetcha!

[Fgr8Out]

Originally posted by traumaRUs

I too gotta agree that this thread doesn't serve any useful purpose. Please, moderators...close it. Thanks.

I believe if you have an issue with a post... or postee, you can click that little "report this post to moderator" link or PM the postee you have issues with and deal with it in that way, as opposed to posting comments which have nothing to do with the discussion or have nothing constructive to add. Does that mean I should just PM you? Yes... But, since you chose to post such a curt, brush-off comment addressed to ALL viewers... I believe you deserve to have your comment addressed in the same manner.

If you don't LIKE this post... QUIT READING IT. You're not the deciding factor on what does and does not constitute discussion (thank goodness).

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Now, then... I've never really thought about the face of nursing changing colors... perhaps because I entered when I was 30, in the mid-90's. Perhaps I'm used to the diversity. I hope it's because I truly am "color blind" :)

I don't have "issues" with "foreign" nurses entering the fold. We're all simply NURSES. I'm just thrilled to have new blood being transfused into a very anemic Profession... and since blood has only ONE color (as previously mentioned by an apparently wonderful Nurse), this new infusion should certainly work towards bringing strength to us all.

Gomer? It had to be difficult to hear the conversation you did, and not jump into it, offering your criticism of such mental midget thinking by the RN and RT who apparently felt no shame in their line of reasoning. You took the high road and didn't engage in conversation with 2 people who so obviously have closed minds and apparently feel threatened by others who might just possibly present a challenge. Kudos to you.

[mopsi]

I have to agree too....The race thing is getting real tired along with the age thing...Now importing foreign nurses to take jobs is another issue...When work conditions deteriorate and managements solution is to bring over foreign nurses and for all intents and purposes have indentured servents....This becomes an issue to me...But to continue to raise emotions on the race/color issue is just uncalled for...I believe it is time for NURSES to stand together and reap some power from UNITY....The obervations and opinions overheard do have some merit as nursing becomes a more impossible profession...however the solution does not lie in the destruction of the mainframe of standards of practice. Each and everyone one of us needs to start our own positve PR and image campain..Treat each other with respect..Challenge those who demean the Title..NURSE..and act with the assurance of a skilled caring professional even in places where we think no one is hearing.like lunchrooms).anyone have any ideas on how to start a National Union with retirement, Low priced good healthcare and fair wage scales????This seems more productive to me than tring to keep race issues as a block for advancement of all NURSES..

Just a little soundoff from OHIO..

[Fgr8Out]

"...When work conditions deteriorate and managements solution is to bring over foreign nurses and for all intents and purposes have indentured servents...."

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huh?!?!?!?

i believe that's illegal...

[Brownms46]

"...When work conditions deteriorate and managements solution is to bring over foreign nurses and for all intents and purposes have indentured servents...."

Illegal or not...what would you call..paying a nurses way here, and then forcing them to work whatever you want them to for a period of two years or more to pay that hospital back??

And then pay them very little, so they're forced to work more than 40hrs to make a living...and or try and pay their way out of the contracts with the hospital! . And if they try to leave and go elsewhere to work and pay off the debt, ( because of how badly you're treating them)...you threaten to revoke their papers and send them back home!!! . I don't know what else to call it:confused:??

[Netty]

I personally think it is great to have such a diversified group of people in Nursing.. It means we will always have someone who besides providing care, can explain procedures and thereby alleviate the patients anxiety and help make their needs known. And there will always be someone close by who can translate!!!!