Are there any Oklahoma students on board?!

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Feb 28, 2003

Hmm I dont think Oklahoma is actually as racist as people tend to think. The North is surprisingly racist as are eastern states...a lot more so than here. I am not from here and have traveled and lived *everywhere* and it really isnt. Now some old rednecks are but for the most part I really don't see it. We also have a fairly large Jewish population here, I dont think most people realize that either.

I know there was a study done last year or maybe year before that where it was talking about the most racist places and states and Oklahoma and a lot of the southern states (which people a lot of times think of as racist) were not in the top at all. Chicago surprisinly was in the top...weird.

I just wanted to say that cause I had remembered that study that was done.

But one thing I do HATE about Oklahoma is there is NOTHING to do here!!! We like to go down to Dallas a lot (I to love Texas, my husband is from San Antonio) just to go see and do interesting things that we dont have here.

Marilyn

Robin61970 · Feb 28, 2003

I hadn't replied to this thread yet, but I also live right by Oklahoma (lived in Muldrow for 10 years) and am now right over the bridge. Nurs2be and I go to the same school(she's just quite a bit ahead of me).....good luck!

Rootbear76 · Feb 28, 2003

Originally posted by Cynthiann
asiancutie, if you don't mind me asking, what nationality are you since you were referring to prejudism. I am half Filipino myself but I guess since I am half white I don't get much prejudism towards me. You know something weird, since I moved from Florida I don't see as much prejudice. Well, when I do see it it's coming from the older generation. But people in our age range seem to be more accepting towards other races. Back in Florida, most people only hangout with people of their race. I rarely saw interracial relationships, I actually see it much more here in OK.

Marilyn, it is very hard to go to school with kids. There are many times where I feel like giving up because the kids get me so fustrated. It would be easier if I had family around so I could get a break once in a while.

Cynthiaann,

I agree with you that most of the racism comes from the older generation. One thing I loved about the military was the diversity. My unit had people from all over the place. Native American, Asians, West Indians, African- Americans, everything! It was a neat experience because I learned so much about different cultures, but what I REALLY learned is that we are all more alike than different!

Maybe I'll see you and Marilyn around Rose State some day(I won't know what you look like though )!

v

Rootbear76 · Feb 28, 2003

Originally posted by marilynmom
But one thing I do HATE about Oklahoma is there is NOTHING to do here!!! We like to go down to Dallas a lot (I to love Texas, my husband is from San Antonio) just to go see and do interesting things that we dont have here.
Marilyn [/b]

DITTO on Oklahoma being a BORING PLACE!!! That's another reason why I LOVE Texas!! Texas is the best of both worlds. You get a laid back kind of life like Oklahoma, but you get all the advantages of being in a major city!( plus there's no state income tax )

v

Asiancutie · Feb 28, 2003

Originally posted by Cynthiann
asiancutie, if you don't mind me asking, what nationality are you since you were referring to prejudism. I am half Filipino myself but I guess since I am half white I don't get much prejudism towards me. You know something weird, since I moved from Florida I don't see as much prejudice. Well, when I do see it it's coming from the older generation. But people in our age range seem to be more accepting towards other races. Back in Florida, most people only hangout with people of their race. I rarely saw interracial relationships, I actually see it much more here in OK.

B]

I'm Filipino. I agree with you that prejudism in OK come mostly from the older generation. It also sucks that even the most educated ones have very prejudiced attitude. I get most of the prejudism from the workplace. This is very frustrating since I am very ambitious. I think that is the reason why i am going to nursing. I would like to feel needed and i would like to feel i am doing mentally challenging because i am smart. Also, I would have a great chance in growing in my career. I won't be working in OK once i finish nursing... I can imagine the older OK nurses sizing me and laughing at me when i pronounced something wrong or shaking their heads left and right rolling their eyes if i have some errors in speaking. I think my english is very good considering that I have only been in US for 3 1/2 years. My pronounciation is very good as well. It's very frustrating. I lived in Nevada and California for a short time and i don't get such "attitude." People in Cali and NV tend to be very helpful and understanding. Here in OK... argh... let me stop now. Hopefully there is not a lot of prejudism in Washington. I hope that state will give minorities a chance to grow in their careers. I would like to move in a more diversified state someday.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 1, 2003

What kind of nursing are you all interested in? I am not sure yet. I like OB, ER and ICU though.

Marilyn

researchrabbit · Mar 1, 2003

Originally posted by Asiancutie
I can imagine the older OK nurses sizing me and laughing at me when i pronounced something wrong or shaking their heads left and right rolling their eyes if i have some errors in speaking.

Sorry, but this seems to be prejudice on YOUR part. As "an older Oklahoma nurse", I find it offensive that you assume "older" means "prejudiced".

There are many MDs and RNs at my institution who speak English as a second language who are well respected.

Rootbear76 · Mar 1, 2003

Originally posted by marilynmom
What kind of nursing are you all interested in? I am not sure yet. I like OB, ER and ICU though.

Marilyn

I'm not really sure, but I think I'll like OB.

v

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 1, 2003

About the racism thing, the medicle field in general is pretty ethnically diverse compared to a lot of other professions. Actually most fields of math and science are.

I dont think its a good idea to just start assuming from the start that older nurses are racist, most I know are very professional and care more about the hard work you do than anything else, most dont have time to care if anyone has an accent or where they come from just as long as the nurse is able to effectivly communicate with her patients. I think if a nurse can not effectivly communicate (and that is not just how good someone speaks english) that is a big problem in general and doesnt have anything to do with racism. A lot of people have problems with effective communication (some are to shy, some cant speak english very well, some speak BAD english in general and that is their first language, etc), Im sure we all know people who are not very good communicators.

I think all people who can communicate *effectivly* (even with an accent of some kind, whether its Phillipino, Asian, southern- some people cant understand us...lol etc) make great nurses. We need to get away from the steryotypes as who we "think" are racist.

Marilyn

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 1, 2003

Originally posted by Asiancutie
and there is a certain degree of prejudism here since this state is not diversified as other states.

This state has a lot more diversity in it than people give it credit for...I dont know where you get that. You will see a LOT of interracial couples here than you will up north, etc. I see much less prejudice here than most places I have lived...and I have lived just about everywhere.

Marilyn

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 1, 2003

AsianCutie, I lived in Washington for a few years and I LOVEd it there! Of course it rains all the time but it was so beautiful and peaceful feeling. We lived near the (arg cant remember how to spell it) Bremmington area right on the Sound. I would love to someday go back there. I know a RN who was living here and got a job out there for about $50 an hour...I dont know how long she has been an RN or if she had a masters degree or not but I thought that was pretty good money!! But its higher cost of living out there so I guess overall it just evens out. Still its a beautiful place to live.

Marilyn

Asiancutie · Mar 3, 2003

I'm sorry if I hurt anyone feelings about my post on prejudism particularly to the older folks in Oklahoma. I am basing all my statements on personal experience. It is unfortunate I have not come accross very genuine caring people here in OK like the people I came accross in Nevada and California. I am hoping to meet some okies (those who are born here) who welcomes diversity.