Racism at clinical site…what to do?

Granted you may take this anyway you like, but the truth of the matter is, that when truth comes to shove, there is bit of racism even in the most syrupy-nicey sounding person.

And IF what you say is true, than it is still unethical, unprofessional and ignorant to display ANY such beliefs in the professional workplace - and that is what this thread is about.

I agree that this may be true, but it must not affect patient care

I think you were wise to approach your instructor. And, I think you are wise now to back off, as it appears you will not get the support that you deserve.

When your clinical is over, you (and your classmates) may want to write to the upper management of this hospital to let them know what is going on in the trenches. Often, there are things taking place on the floor that the "office folks" never see. People put on their best behavior when the suits come around.

It's entirely possible that management will drop your letter in the circular file. But it is also possible that your complaint will land on the desk of someone who cares--or who at least realizes that prejudicial behavior can come back to bite them.

The best thing you can do right now is go on to get your degree, and consider this exposure to ignorance a part of your education in the kind of nurse you don't want to be.

Thank you for sharing this with us. I wish you the best.

Pockets of outright racists are still around. The climate on the floor seems to permit it and even encourage it. That being the case, any report you make isn't going to change the attitude or beliefs of those nurses one iota. I grew up in Dixie, where racism was practiced out in the open and as ingrained in the culture as if it was in the 40s and 50s. when I moved north I discovered there was just as much racism. It was just a bit meaner, and done more covertly. These nurses are an artifact from the past, and hopefully with the next generation (you) they will become obsolete. The best you can do is display appropriate professional behavior when you start practice and establish a culture of acceptance and respect as the norm on your floor. It is hard to be a bigot when your peers are striving to reach across cultural barriers and provide optimal care. Please also consider, you may have caught them on a tough day, or after a run of difficult patients. I'm sure I've said things I wish I could take back when I'm especialy burnt out and feeling the need to lash out at someone. Simply saying to the nurse: " I've never found that to be true with my relatives who are black" would have done a lot to squelch the comments- and it would have been fun to see her face!

So it is ok to use racist or derogatory statements "if they deserve it". I see. Slavery was built on arguments like this. Sad to see they still exist. Calling someone "inbred" is no better than calling someone any other racial slur. We cannot pick and choose which slurs are acceptable and under which circumstances. None are.

How? Easy... just the same way that bigoted, narrow-minded people in every other walk of life make similar dumb-@$$ comments.

Were you somehow of the misguided notion that nurses are more open-minded and tolerant than other folks? I'm simultaneously sorry and glad that you've had your eyes opened.

Sad, isn't it?

You are a student and a guest in that facility... You are very vulnerable and you don't know whose loyalties lie where. My advice is keep your mouth shut and plan to look elsewhere for work when you graduate.

Leave it to the employees of the hospital to deal with their own garbage.

I've just witnessed and read of far too many cases where well-meaning people get burned by speaking up. You are a student and you have no power, authority, nor even much credibility in the eyes of many. Do your time and move on.

I am sorry about the outcome but I admire your courage in speaking up. Just curious though, does or has your instructor worked prn or part time at that facility?