Racism in the south?

[AQEELSMOM]

Hi there, I'm quite far from graduating, but that hasn't stopped me from daydreaming about my future and where I would like to work!

I am very interested in working in the rural south - Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi Georgia. I am single with no dependents so it would be easy for me to move anywhere. My only concern is the level of racism apparent in rural areas. I'm of mixed heritage and have an ambiguously ethnic look. No one would mistake me for black nor white, but possibly Hispanic or mulatto, although its a reach in either case. I am originally from Canada and am quite oblivious to overt racism - I find it more curious than offensive. I'm not really worried about being offended or called names or anything like that - my concerns are mainly safety, and the ability to get a job in a rural area. I would appreciate any thoughts! Thanks!

[judyblueyesuite]

I've lived in Louisiana for the past 10 years, in New Orleans, in a small, rural town near the Texas border, and now in Lake Charles, which is a city of approximately 70,000 surrounded by small, rural communities.

Earlier posts are correct that pay here is much lower than other states, particularly in the north. Nurses in this area often move to Texas, particularly Houston, as the hourly rate increases $8-15/hour. Another consideration is nurse/patient ratios. In the large hospitals in my area, the nurse / patient ratio is generally 1:6-7. On my unit, we can have as many as 8 patients before the staffing matrix calls for another nurse.

Other considerations about the rural south: very religious, conservative politically, poor public education system, widespread poverty, and it's HOT. Regarding rural communities specifically, there's a real need for nurses, and your work could be very rewarding. People here are polite and friendly but a little suspicious of outsiders. Most people where I now live have been in this area for at least 4-5 generations, and as soon as they hear your name, they immediately try to make connections to which particularly family in what exact local town.

I love living in southern Louisiana, and encourage you to come visit. There's delicious food - Cajun, creole, seafood - and wonderful music... quite a unique culture.

[roxalot]

I live in Alabama and was raised in Tennessee. I've lived, mostly in bigger cities, my grandparents live in a very rural closed minded area of East Ky that is very weary of outsiders in general, regardless of skin color. In the rural areas you will find that a lot of people have known each other since being in elementary school, an their parents before them, and theirs before them. I white, was felt very discriminated against (and my son as well in his school) because I didn't grow up in that town. We moved to Huntsville and feel very welcomed and included in the community here. There are several AA in our neighborhood and they are very friendly as well as the Hispanics and other whites.

I really just think rural communities are more likely to be weary of outsiders than towns and cities with more population, where everyone doesn't know everybody.

I'm sure there are plenty of rural communities that welcome new comers though. I love living in Huntsville, feels more "home" to me than where I lived for the previous 12 years before moving here.