Accused of Racism!

Published

I'm so upset.. just walked in the door from working a night shift at a skilled long term care facility. I had a CNA working under me who had left a patient in a bed with urine until the urine had a yellow ring a round it. I instructed her to change the bedding and let her know that tolerate patients being I consider this kind of care unacceptable. I am brand new to the night shift. The CNA immediately accused me of being racist and "you're treating me like a black woman!"

I let my DNS know this morning... of the lack of care that the CNA provided, of things not done during the shift, etc. The DNS told me that she is very nervous about the possibilty of an EEO suit and that I should "cover yourself really well".

HELP!! This is a terrifing situation to me. I've worked as a nurse for over 2 decades and never been accused of racism. I don't think that there was anything in this situation that could have been construed as racism... but... what do I need to do to protect myself. What a nasty situation! What makes it even more frustrating is that this CNA frequently does very poor quality work and I've been trying to keep everything up beat and cheerful in the workplace. Now I don't know what to do!

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

I would have asked the CNA to define what she meant by "treating her like a Black woman" because just hearing that statement tells me absolutely diddly.:rolleyes:

I hope everything works out for the betterment of the residents. It is afterall their safety and care on the line here. :)

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It is a little funny, even. Not that the OP is accused of racism, but the complaint. If the CNA is black, well, then any way you treat her is treating her like a black person! It's just such a dumb thing to say. If she'd said "you're mean to me because I'm black" or something it might actually carry meaning.

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I've had an experience, in fact in nursing school, where I had a conflict with another student who happened to be African American. Her race was no factor in my mind, but she lied and told administration that I had called her a 'N' word, a word that I've never used in my life!. I think she was frustrated because she was struggling academically, and she did indeed end up flunking out of 4th semester.

So, some minorities will unfortunately try and play the 'race card' to cover up their personal inadequecies. Just try and realize that this is one person who probably has some problems. I ended up being resentful towards Black people generally for awhile, but finally got over it and realized that it was only one person's problem.

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I've had an experience, in fact in nursing school, where I had a conflict with another student who happened to be African American. Her race was no factor in my mind, but she lied and told administration that I had called her a 'N' word, a word that I've never used in my life!. I think she was frustrated because she was struggling academically, and she did indeed end up flunking out of 4th semester.

So, some minorities will unfortunately try and play the 'race card' to cover up their personal inadequecies. Just try and realize that this is one person who probably has some problems. I ended up being resentful towards Black people generally for awhile, but finally got over it and realized that it was only one person's problem.

Racism is not a card. There is Always two sides to every story. No black person EVER saids "DO NOT TREAT ME LIKE A BLACK PERSON" this just do not sound right. Racism happends every second of every day 365 a year. ON all nurses you are telling us you use to be resentful to blacks, sounds like you still are; but that's ok i will pray for you. And another thing i do not have to use the so called "race card" 1. i come from a good family and 2. i have a BSN in nursing, BS in biology, and a MBA. thank you. :angryfire :angryfire

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geriatrics.
I've had an experience, in fact in nursing school, where I had a conflict with another student who happened to be African American. Her race was no factor in my mind, but she lied and told administration that I had called her a 'N' word, a word that I've never used in my life!. I think she was frustrated because she was struggling academically, and she did indeed end up flunking out of 4th semester.

So, some minorities will unfortunately try and play the 'race card' to cover up their personal inadequecies. Just try and realize that this is one person who probably has some problems. I ended up being resentful towards Black people generally for awhile, but finally got over it and realized that it was only one person's problem.

I was wondering how long it would be before someone used the inflammatory "race card" characterization. Guess what, White people and other races have no problem with claiming racism when things do not go their way. I was working on a floor which was predominantly Black when 4 White nurses who had bonded started complaining that they were the victims of racism because the Black charge nurse asked them not to all 4 go off the floor smoking at once and the Black nurse manager backed her up. They claimed that the Black nurses were not restricted from going off the floor to smoke. Hmmm, could it be because none of the Black or Filipino nurses smoked? Imagine that, 4 nurses leaving the floor together for 20-30 minutes at a time to smoke and they claimed that they were being targeted because of their race. It was ridiculous.

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I've had an experience, in fact in nursing school, where I had a conflict with another student who happened to be African American. Her race was no factor in my mind, but she lied and told administration that I had called her a 'N' word, a word that I've never used in my life!. I think she was frustrated because she was struggling academically, and she did indeed end up flunking out of 4th semester.

So, some minorities will unfortunately try and play the 'race card' to cover up their personal inadequecies. Just try and realize that this is one person who probably has some problems. I ended up being resentful towards Black people generally for awhile, but finally got over it and realized that it was only one person's problem.

As I started reading this post I was not going to comment. First of all Mystery you sound like you still have some issues going on with blacks. Second of all not all black people use the so called race card whatever that is to try and get by. I work with people everyday that are prejudice and they do not even have to say a word. Body language speaks very loudl. But I know how to pray to well and hard for people that do not understand that the blood that runs through their veins is red just like mine. And in this profession we all should know that when you get sick you do not know who is going to have to take care of you. No matter what the color of skin. So my point is that it is 2005 and we all know the history and we have to move forward. I treat all of my CNA's equal and it does not matter to me what the color of their skin is. If this CNA is truly doing poor patient care then it should be dealt with in the proper manner; and you cannot tackle this if you are new to the facility and she has been doing this all time. If she has been there for 7years and doing poor patient care then this issue should have been addressed long before you ever came to the floor. There again it falls back to adminstration before you. This saddens me that this kind of stuff is still going on in this society. It just makes me stronger though because I do realize that my ancestors had a hard task coming through all the racism in this society. It just makes me even more greatful that they fought hard so that myself and my children couldl have better opportunities that everyone else has. So therefore, I do not think it is a race card it is just the fact that everyone wants to be treated equal. At the facility I work at there are more African-American CNA's but I do not treat the White CNA's any diffrently and they truly respect me for that. Fair, Firm, and Consistent........No matter what the color...we all have a job to do and that is what we are there for the residents....I am so sorry that you use to have a problem with black people and I hope that you are really over that issue...but somehow I still think you might still have a few issues with the black situation...Continue Everyone To Smile and Be Blessed

:angryfire :o :o

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I am sorry this happened to you. I have edited my post because I do not want to get into a heated racial debate in this day in age. All I will say is that racism happens to ALL and I mean ALL races, no one is exempt.

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Dear Shunda,

Sorry my post evoked a negative reaction in you. I'm merely relating a personal experience I had where someone engaged in a similar false accusation. As I said, that was one instance where someone misused the so called 'race card' in order to defer blame from themselves for their own actions, that had nothing to do with race whatsoever. I think it's too bad that people do this, as it is like crying wolf, and then real racial injustices get ignored.

In my case, I realized that it was this one woman's problem, and not the fault of a whole race. That would be pretty illogical, wouldn't it? But, the problem exists that people will use that as an excuse, when it had nothing to do with the problem at all. It's very harmful to relationships between people, and between different groups of people. Incidentally, I have strongly addressed religious, political and ethnic slurs I've heard in my workplace, personally. I think the work enviournment should be a neutral zone, don't you?

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Specializes in Me Surge.

My friend has worked as a nurse in places I think I could not handle such as correctional facilities. She does charity and mission work. She worked in an AIDS clinic way back when most were still afraid to go near the AIDS patients. She treats everyone in the facility, including the housekeeper, like they are the most important person in the room. I think she is a saint and can't even come close to walking in her shadow as a nurse and as a person. She has friends of every race creed, color and from every walk of life. She was accused of racism. It broke her heart to be accused of this. My (Caucasian) friend who was accused of racism is married to an African-American.

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Specializes in ICU, Correctional Medicine, Adolescent.

Exactly what and who are considered nurses of color? I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but there are a number of colors that exist in the color spectrum. And correct me if I am wrong, but WHITE is also a color. Using this terminology(nurses of color) tells me a lot about the individual. I was born and raised in Alabama (Home of the Good Olde Boys), So there ain't nothing that you can say or do that hadn't already been said or done to me. But anyway have you considered that you delivery could be the root of your problem? :rolleyes:

QUOTE=yaddadoit]The facility I work in has a wonderful mix of ethnicity's and cultural backgrounds. I never make racial jokes including jokes such as "blond" jokes, so there has been nothing to over hear. I work with other CNA's (and nurses) of color, including African American and the atmosphere seems relaxed and comfortable to me.

What I am perceiving is that I have a CNA who doesn't want to do her assigned tasks (which include providing incontinent care) for her residents and is willing to resort to name calling and something that will damage my career as a way of getting by with not doing her work. I have a patient who is intermittantly clear and lucid/ alternating with poor impulse control and confusion. He claims that he requested assistance putting some clothing on this morning (paralyzed on one side) and that this CNA told him he could "just do it himself"..... co incidentally he is caucasian........

I feel that I have a responsibility to protect my patients from this CNA, but also to keep myself (and my reputation intact!) safe. I feel that my reputation has been threatened and that there was a certain amount of intended intimidation by the CNA towards me.

Thanks for listening all.... I will continue to be open for suggestions dealing with this tough situation.

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Specializes in ICU, Correctional Medicine, Adolescent.

So I guess since some of the minorities use that to cover up their inadequacies, what is it called when the majority openly lie about their credentials, educational training?????? (JUST A BIG WHITE LIE) :chuckle

QUOTE=Mystery5]I've had an experience, in fact in nursing school, where I had a conflict with another student who happened to be African American. Her race was no factor in my mind, but she lied and told administration that I had called her a 'N' word, a word that I've never used in my life!. I think she was frustrated because she was struggling academically, and she did indeed end up flunking out of 4th semester.

So, some minorities will unfortunately try and play the 'race card' to cover up their personal inadequecies. Just try and realize that this is one person who probably has some problems. I ended up being resentful towards Black people generally for awhile, but finally got over it and realized that it was only one person's problem.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

2005.

Here I am right in the heart of the South.Been here all my life. I am so ashamed of anyone in this day and age who still holds on to the archaic attitude that people are worthwhile or not by color.

I've felt discriminated against in Alabama ( of all places) because I was from SC!

I hope that soon there will be no such thing as a race card (what an awful phrase).

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