Racism in nursing

[KCIN]

Please share your experiences.I am not a white female nurse, and occasions have risen where I have suspected that I was victimized because of my race.I just moved on and ignored it, because people who have a problem such as racism, # 1, may not even be aware that they are discriminating and #2, if they are, are probably too comfortable in their attitudes to want to change it.

those complaints about you that reach the managers about your attitude problems or your mistakes, if any, are usually exaggerated and petty. i really find it disgusting, when the same folks cuddle up to a minority doctor or other 'higher-up' who has authority over them, yet are unmerciful to those over whom they have power.

[HappyNurse2005, RN]

I am a white female nurse, as was probably 80% of my nursing school class.

Where I work, there are 2 Asian nurses (one from China, the other im not sure), one Arabic nurse (again, not sure which country), a few black nurses, Filipino CNA, etc etc. We are diverse.

I have seen some racism from the patients, not so much the staff. One pt told me he didn't like Tiger Woods, b/c he married a white woman. One called the CNA "that Filipino girl"

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

i'm white, my husband is hispanic and my best friend is filipino. i was talking to a black friend about our priest. she said she thought he was a racist because of the way he treated her and her family. vivian, the gal from manila said that she thought the priest was a racist because of the way he treated her and her family. hubby thought the priest was a racist because the of way he treated him. i'm caucasian, and the priest treated me badly, too. i thought he was prejudiced against divorced people -- at the time i was going through the anullment process before hubby and i were married. my point is this: that particular priest was just lacking in the milk of human kindness. he hated everyone! there are people like that out there. it isn't always about race. sometimes people are just a$$holes!

ruby

[underwatergirl]

Yes Sharon, you are correct, sometimes it is racisim....however how can anyone distinguish...I would hate that job...LOL

"One called the CNA "that Filipino girl"" I don't know if I really see this as racisist, sounds to be descriptive to me...kinda like someone saying that white nurse...it helps to narrow it down when needed.

Something I find interesting is this...perhaps this will explain the trading one racism act for another. There is the American Black Nursing Assoc. I heard a wonderful organization...well here is the thing...you have to be African-American to join. So is it racist to me as a white to want to join and be denied??? Why can't I have the same organization for my race??? Because if there was one, there would be one class action suit after another. So I really don't see equality in that or the prevention of racisim.

Just a thought to ponder...I fight for TRUE equality...not trading one racisim act for another.

Again my .02

[underwatergirl]

I hope you don't still see that priest or attend his church??? LOL

ruby vee said:

I'm white, my husband is hispanic and my best friend is filipino. I was talking to a black friend about our priest. she said she thought he was a racist because of the way he treated her and her family. vivian, the gal from manila said that she thought the priest was a racist because of the way he treated her and her family. hubby thought the priest was a racist because the of way he treated him. I'm caucasian, and the priest treated me badly, too. I thought he was prejudiced against divorced people -- at the time I was going through the anullment process before hubby and I were married. my point is this: that particular priest was just lacking in the milk of human kindness. he hated everyone! there are people like that out there. it isn't always about race. sometimes people are just a$$holes!

ruby

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Quote

There is the American Black Nursing Assoc. I heard a wonderful organization...well here is the thing...you have to be African-American to join. So is it racist to me as a white to want to join and be denied??? Why can't I have the same organization for my race??? Because if there was one, there would be one class action suit after another.

Excellent point!

[SharonH, RN]

underwatergirl said:

Yes Sharon, you are correct, sometimes it is racisim....however how can anyone distinguish...I would hate that job...LOL

"One called the CNA "that Filipino girl"" I don't know if I really see this as racisist, sounds to be descriptive to me...kinda like someone saying that white nurse...it helps to narrow it down when needed.

Something I find interesting is this...perhaps this will explain the trading one racism act for another. There is the American Black Nursing Assoc. I heard a wonderful organization...well here is the thing...you have to be African-American to join. So is it racist to me as a white to want to join and be denied??? Why can't I have the same organization for my race??? Because if there was one, there would be one class action suit after another. So I really don't see equality in that or the prevention of racisim.

Just a thought to ponder...I fight for TRUE equality...not trading one racisim act for another.

Again my .02

I can see that you and Marie do not understand the difference between a group of people who have traditionally been marginalized forming together to protect their common interests and promoting an agenda which focuses on health and education versus a hate group which focuses on exclusion and oppression of others. That is not "trading one racism act for another".

It also helps if you don't assume. First of all, membership in the National Black Nurses Association(I never heard of the American Black Nurses Association) is not restricted to Blacks. You don't believe me? Go to their website and look at the membership application. There is no space to indicate race. Now I am certain that somebody is going to swear that they tried to join the NBNA only to be told that they couldn't because they were not Black. But in fact, I know a White nurse who is a member. I wonder how she slipped in?

Why would a White nurse belong to a group which has "Black" in the name? Well the primary mission of the NBNA is to provide a means for Black nurses to focus on the needs of the medically underserved Black community, although they work to improve health care for all Americans, and this happens to be this particular nurse's area of interest.

[underwatergirl]

Sharon,

See that is the problem, you state that you are stating that it is for a group of people who have been marginalized and to protect...etc...well I know several whites who didn't get a job because there was another race that applied and the company had to show a quota...How is having a National White Nursing Association an exclusion to other races if yours allows one in, why wouldn't mine??? Also you classify that as a hate group...well if you do that then you must also assume that other races then black classify NBNA as a hate group??? So would you have a problem with National White Nurses Association, of course taking on your same concerns as the NBNA??? But stating that one group is OK or better than another is trading one racism act for another. You tell me you need this to protect you (you as an example) because of the oppression, well dang I am tired of having to watch everything I say, being accused of racisim because I don't like someone(hasn't happened, thank goodness, I tend to like everyone...LOL) Being told I am over qualified for a job but because I am in such a prime color I can't have it. Seeing "white" or other races on the street homeless who need care...trying to defend my right at an equal oppurtunity...hiring based on any color is racisit...plain and simple...it is not equality.

If the primary mission of NBNA is to focus on black healthcare...that is racisit to me and any race but black. Every community has people from all races that are underdeserved...even us whites...how many homeless you see that are african american??? So this is my thing, if we need a special group to focus on one particular race we should have one for EVERY race...or why not name them as such...National Underdeserved Patient Nursing Association. Hmmm I wonder, what about our, asian, mexican, philipino, middle-eastern, europe, etc...what about those...they are a minority like you???

As I stated before I vote for TRUE EQUALITY not one racism for another...true equality is treating everyone the same, meaning if you got a group to focus on black healthcare then there should be one for asian, for mexican, for whites....etc.

Sharon we all have to face injustices in our life based on our looks or nationalities...most caucasians have to PROVE, they are not racisist...must cover every track they make...how is that right???

THere is racisim unfort. but it is only promoted by one group having an organization with such a name as NBNA...I think it is great it is there...but then here include other races or let other races have their groups also...that is equality not racisim...Allowing one group and not another is racism! Plain and simple...

Sorry to offend you but that is how I see it...I believe unjustices and racism is done unfort. to blacks, I can't change the world, however I can voice my opinion on TRUE EQUALITY.

With the ut most respect,

Annette

SharonH, RN said:

I can see that you and Marie do not understand the difference between a group of people who have traditionally been marginalized forming together to protect their common interests and promoting an agenda which focuses on health and education versus a hate group which focuses on exclusion and oppression of others. That is not "trading one racism act for another".

It also helps if you don't assume. First of all, membership in the National Black Nurses Association(I never heard of the American Black Nurses Association) is not restricted to Blacks. You don't believe me? Go to their website and look at the membership application. There is no space to indicate race. Now I am certain that somebody is going to swear that they tried to join the NBNA only to be told that they couldn't because they were not Black. But in fact, I know a White nurse who is a member. I wonder how she slipped in?

Why would a White nurse belong to a group which has "Black" in the name? Well the primary mission of the NBNA is to provide a means for Black nurses to focus on the needs of the medically underserved Black community, although they work to improve health care for all Americans, and this happens to be this particular nurse's area of interest.

[blue chips]

underwatergirl said:

Interesting topic...I feel for the OP if the case maybe related to racisim. I agree with the person that nursing isn't immune to it...

However, if something a person does or says offends someone, can it always be chalked upto racisim???

Let me tell you this story, there was this friend of mine (color) who worked at a hospital. She would tell me all the time how she was discriminated against...eventually I took a position there...What I saw was this...several nurses were just plain cruel to people of all colors. However my friends was not doing her job...was being insubordinate. She deserved to be writen up...one night after work I had asked why she did what she did...this was her comment.."No one can fire me, I am a black women" I said flat to her face that doesn't give her a right not to do her job...well I lost a friend, and I also eventually left that hospital...I heard through the grape vine that she was fired and brought a class action suit against the hospital, lost because the hospital was in the right.

I think racisim is something that has gone in a bad direct...what I mean by that is we trade one race for another when it comes to certain issues...In america we have a nursing organization only opened to a particular race...I was curious being of opposite race if I would be allowed to join..well nope I wasn't, I kinda figured I wouldn't be allowed to, but hey I was just discriminated against!

True end to discrimination and beginning of equality..is every one is treated the same, minority to majority...race to race...sex to sex...no special considerations...no hiring one before the other, no resisting punishment when it is due. That is true equality...America has went in a different direction...Now there is a new racisim coming abroad...another 20 years like this and trouble will break.

Each race and sex as it's own special considerations...so if you allow organizations for one, the other must be allowed organizations. What individuals do isn't right, however we can not set society factors on individuals.

To the OP, what I would recommend is right down what has happened with you and this other person. If it is not the NM, good then go to the NM. However watch this person do they do it to other people too??? Purhaps people of other color than your own??? Sometimes we are quick to jump to conclusions before examining all evidence...If you find this person does it only to you...then I say confront him/her...ask them why...take it to their manager...if still the problem persists, I am sure you know the numbers to call. I also request that you give us the full details of the situation, if you are comfortable enough to.

I wish you the best,

Annette

People are not called "color" any more!!!!!! :angryfire

[blue chips]

BamaBound2bRN said:

I am so sick and tired of minorities crying racism whenever they disagree with a white person, or sexual orientation discrimination when a gay disagrees with a straight person! Get over it maybe, just maybe that white person is merely a jerk, or maybe just maybe the black person is WRONG- heaven forbid. And I am sure that more than one person will call me a racist and I will probably get "Warned", but get a grip. Yes, racism does exist, but just because a white male might do a wrong towards an hispanic female does not necessarily make it "Racist". So, once again I will say GET OVER FEELING LIKE THE WHITE MAN OWES YOU 

you are a racist :angryfire and you will never own me!!!!!

[Nurse Ratched, RN]

Enough on this one, folks.