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?

[KBaldwinLVN]

Originally posted by Rustyhammer

Perhaps I can enlighten you kbaldwinLVN!

When you are in the minority and you see a post with the words "white women" or "racism" or "male nurse" or a simular type of phrase then it appears as though there is some type of separation going on.

...Yeah...I hear ya, you're right. It does appear like we're separating. But I think its more like we are separate but equal or even better different but alike. We are united because of nursing, but still have differences. Why not discuss those differences so maybe we will in fact understand and appreciate each other a little more....

It kind of gets some folks worked up to hear those type of phrases when they have experienced discrimination in the past and now some of our brothers and sisters in the nursing profession are still not past that.

I hear ya hear too. I'm working on getting past some old stuff myself, and I can honestly tell you posting here and on other bb's that allow me to ask questions and state my opinons, has helped TREMENDDOUSLY. I don't want to brush how I feel under a carpet. I know when I do that, it manifests somewhere else in my life.

If we cannot get over it and see and treat OURSELVES with solidarity then how can we hope to have others see us as a group whom they may want to join.

When I hear the words "Get over it", I think of someone minimizing the topic at hand. I don't think that's what "you" are doing (???), but that's what I'm reminded of. What if "Getting ove it" involves discussing it and talking about it with others who can relate? We are in the "help" industry....Can you "help" me out? (smile).

KbaldwinLVN,

We have enough nursing issues without having to bring race and sex into the picture.

Yes... We do have a lot of issues on our nursing plates. I believe race and sex is one of those issues.

I feel topics like this really do serve "no useful purpose".

I'm sorry you feel that way. From reading some of your past posts (minus the "tired of this" post ) I think you'd contribute quite a bit to the discussion here.

Off of the soapbox now.

Love and Peace,

-Russell

Thanks for your response Russell (RustyHammer), and peace/blessings to you too. I understand that some may want to never visit or re-hash a topic of this magnitude and can appreciate them not wanting to hear about it again. Thanks for making that a little clearer. I still say another BB may be better suited for those who feel this particular BB is not useful.

Also, I apologize to Gomer, the original poster of this thread. His post had a little to do with race, but more about a comment made by his peer regarding nursing not being a white woman's profession any longer. Are we getting a little off track?

[NannaNurse]

Why do they call it race?? I don't remember entering the 'race'...

People are people and I agree with all the others here...STOP MAKING COLOR AN ISSUE. It always seems to be somebody of ONE color making a statement about somebody of ANOTHER COLOR.

I'm "white"...or am I??? Here is my family run-down:

My Dad was Cherokee Indian (as my grandmother who was born on reservation in 1881)

My Mom was Jewish (as my great-great grandfather who came from Isreal)

My Husband is Irish (as his great-grandfather who came from Ireland)

My Brother-in-law is African-American (as his great-grandmother who came from Johannasburg)

My Cousin-in-law is Korean who came to this country as a 2 y/o child.....So am I really 'white'?? I actually hate that term as it refers to a COLOR....I'm NOT a color.....I'm a PEOPLE!! :kiss And I'm one who LOVES to care for other peoples...that's why I do what I do. It's not a 'career' for me....it's a way of life, part of my soul to be a nurse.

I don't care if my nurse (when I need one) is male,female or alittle of both....I don't care if they are a 'certian' color or a mixture of many. (insert photo of Ellis Island here and play 'God Bless America' in the background)

I'm just thankful I am a nurse....PROUD AS HECK...I'm thankful that we have caring, comitted nurses......and I DON'T GIVE A HOOT WHAT COLOR, WHAT RACE, WHAT SEX OR WHAT RELIGION THEY ARE!!

[Brownms46]

"...STOP MAKING COLOR AN ISSUE. It always seems to be somebody of ONE color making a statement about somebody of ANOTHER COLOR. "

Wouldn't that be great...a time..when no one makes color an issue.....But unforutanetly I sincerely doubt, that the day will come when color is not an issue! And that day definitely isn't today or any day in the fore seeable future! And anyone who doesn't want to participate, or who doesn't think this thread is useful...please click next door!! I think their talking about who's foot is bigger or something just as important.:) But please do not try and tell me that racism, and color isn't a problem, or that shouldn't be discussed on this BB or anywhere else for that matter!

If it's not happening to someone you know and love, or those around you...then count your blessings! Just don't ask me to not be bothered by what I see and hear...and attempt to prevent me or anyone else from discusing it!

[Dez]

Brownms46 I totally agree with you! I know that when read through these threads I comment on the ones I feel are interesting or "useful". I do not comment on the ones I feel that Im am tired of hearing about.

[Brownms46]

WOW what a concept..! Thank You DEZ for responding...:kiss:. Because I was afraid I was writing in greece...and no would understand what I was writing. Glad I decided to take the chance, that I wasn't one of the only ones who thought this made sense. Thank you!

[Dez]

ANYTIME BROWNIE! I was thinking that the last thread that had to do with racial issues but did not comment. Glad I did this time

[SharonH, RN]

Brownie, you, kbaldwin, and SKM-NURSIEPOOH were all making a lot of sense.

[Brownms46]

Originally posted by Dez

ANYTIME BROWNIE! I was thinking that the last thread that had to do with racial issues but did not comment. Glad I did this time

I'm glad you did too! But there are times when I have started to response to something...and then just.. said oooh why bother... I guess I should have someting those times two:idea:

[Brownms46]

Originally posted by SharonMH31

Brownie, you, kbaldwin, and SKM-NURSIEPOOH were all making a lot of sense.

You're are so very correct SharonMH31! Though I don't totally agee with everything that has been written here. I do agree that those who wish to discuss it, should be allowed to, as long as there is no name calling going on. This topic can and should be discussed with open minds. Otherwise no one hears or listens to the other..:)

[LasVegasRN]

Originally posted by Brownms46

...those who wish to discuss it, should be allowed to, as long as there is no name calling going on. This topic can and should be discussed with open minds. Otherwise no one hears or listens to the other..:)

Well said, Brownie.

[Brownms46]

Thank you Las VegasRN...with the cuttie ba tutie there with ya..:)

[KBaldwinLVN]

originally posted by nannanurse

i don't care if my nurse (when i need one) is male,female or alittle of both....i don't care if they are a 'certian' color or a mixture of many. (insert photo of ellis island here and play 'god bless america' in the background)

i'm just thankful i am a nurse....proud as heck...i'm thankful that we have caring, comitted nurses......and i don't give a hoot what color, what race, what sex or what religion they are!!

i admire what you are saying, and i elect you as president of the "educate america" foundation :) . your ideas are great, lord knows we'd appreciate your enthusiasm, but unfortunately, there are those that would cringe if i introduced my smiling, willing and able sienna kissed face as their nurse for the night. they are the ones that do care who i am based only by the color of my skin. some may ask for another nurse, or even my supervisor. i love that one - i go get my filipino supervisor so they can start all over again.

i know, that's somewhat "ugly", but what can i say...racism is ugly.

take care,

kb.