I work in one of the worst region in the US

U.S.A. Texas

Published

I have lived in south Texas (Rio Grande Valley) for approximately 17 years, and I have always hated it.:bluecry1: I so appreciate seeing other nurses complain about this place. I was starting to believe I was a wimp and complaining unnecessarily about nursing. The only person I could complain to was my husband and he is in the business world and does not understand my frustration of being a nurse here. I truly believe that the only people who understands what a nurse goes through at their job is another nurse, and the only person who can understand the extra hardship of being a nurse in the RGV is another nurse that has been a nurse in the RGV (and moved here from somewhere else). I envy you nurses who came here and left (escaped). I'm here because my husband refuses to leave his job. Every since I was about six, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. I loved nursing school, and clinicals. After NCLEX, came my first job as a nurse in the RGV. I then hated nursing. I didn't understand it at first. How could I be so wrong about something I have been passionate about since I was a little girl? After about a year, (and reading opinions of other nurses about this place) I realized it wasn't nursing I hated. I hated being a nurse here. I had a day last week where everyone of my nine pts spoke Spanish only. I tried to learn Spanish, not because I wanted to but because I knew I didn't have a choice. I tried three times and failed three times. Whatever part of the brain that's responsible for language is missing from mine. I have had people tell me that they were going to have my job because I didn't speak Spanish, in Spanish, because they didn't know how to speak English. It's true, you do make more money here, and the cost of living is low, but I would gladly give it up if I could get the ---- out of here. It's nice to know that a lot of you feel the way I do, and it's not in my head. Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

The only experience I've had in a hospital in the RGV is my clinicals in Mission Regional and in Rio Grand Regional.

Mission's nurses sucked, plain and simple. They were rude, conniving, and incompetent. They'd be gone from the floor for hours at a time. Our clinical instructors finally had a meeting with the NM there. It was a terrible experience.

RGRMC was 100x better than Mission.

I know how you feel about the Spanish thing. I understand enough to get by, and have had families and patients talk smack about me being "anglo", as they put it, in Spanish, to my peers and the nurses, thinking I don't know what they're saying.

I've posted my opinion of the RGV several times on this forum. My wife and I have a little over a year before we GTHO. I'll really, really miss Taco Palenque and La Mexicana restaurant, though.

Where do you work?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, ICU, Telemetry.

Taco palenque! Just about the only great thing about The Valley. My pseudospouse is from Brownsville. We drive down there from Austin 3-4 times a year. And I dread it every time. Though I haven't worked down there (as much as my MIL has tried to talk me into it), I feel your pain & frustration.

Have you considered travelling? Hubby can stay down there and you can take little 3 mo assignments elsewhere to revitalize your passion for nursing and come home in between. It might be a win/win for you.

Hope you weathered Dolly ok...best wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was thinking the same thing....travel nurse. But I know it would depend on your family situation. I feel for all those not happy in their jobs. Everyone should seek happiness. Nurses have so many options!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Now if we could just convince all the nurses flocking down there for the big bonuses......things won't change down there until they can no longer lure naive nurses to the area.

To the O.P.....so sorry that you are locked in right now. That is a horrible feeling. Hope you may be able to either convince hubby to move or get into a new line of work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in dialysis (mostly) some L&D, Rehab/LTC.
I had a day last week where everyone of my nine pts spoke Spanish only. I tried to learn Spanish, not because I wanted to but because I knew I didn't have a choice. I tried three times and failed three times. Whatever part of the brain that's responsible for language is missing from mine. I have had people tell me that they were going to have my job because I didn't speak Spanish, in Spanish, because they didn't know how to speak English.

Geez...can't figure out why the English speaking person would have to worry about their job...this is AMERICA...LEARN ENGLISH..!!!!:banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

to me this thread sounds racial, being a nurse & being racial does not mix. grow up. In my case I would divorce & move on.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
to me this thread sounds racial, being a nurse & being racial does not mix. grow up. In my case I would divorce & move on.
According to your profile, you are a nursing student. Now I can see why you'd make a statement such as the one above.

I am a minority nurse in North Texas, and I can assure you that racial stereotypes, preconceived notions, and snap judgments are intermingled in nursing. People simply don't drop their lifetime personal beliefs about race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status and sexual orientation once they enter nursing programs, although it should be that way in the textbook world.

I know you've been taught to provide "nonjudgmental care," but it simply does not work out that way all the time in the realistic world of nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

The RGV is one of the most racial areas of this fine state.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I don't think its a matter of race or culutre here. I too am a minority and I do speak Spanish although I am nonhispanic. A competent nurse should not have her job threatned for speaking English. Its a backwards attitude. I think thats what she is trying to say.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Until a person has spent a year in this hellhole, I don't think they can understand what we mean. I suppose it could look like we're just a bunch of bigots that don't like Mexicans, but I can assure you: this place is among the poorest in the country, and for good reasons. The "that's the valley waaaaayyyyy" excuse is used for every funky, ignorant, against-the-rules or law thing that goes on. That mentality is the primary reason this place isn't getting any better.

Read the local papers, the are available online. You'll find story after story about judges, cops, border patrol agents, mayors, you name it, constantly being found guilty of corruption, drug running, immigrant smuggling, DWI...on and on and on.

The culture here is corrupt and bigoted. That doesn't mean all the people here are corrupt and bigoted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, Derm, OB.

Fox, either get traveling as a nurse or get divorced and move on!!!

No reason to be absolutely miserable and a job should NEVER be more important than a man's wife, period. I personally would have to wonder what was so important about that job.

Not trying to be harsh but 17 yrs seems like enough sacrifice on your part. :wink2:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment