African American Care

marylyric · Feb 9, 2006

I hated this part of the nursing curriculum....I know a lot of it may be valid, but it makes so many generalizations that just can not be applied to everyone in a particular group. I'm an African-American and about half of those listed above don't apply to me. For example: I would not trust the person if they DIDN'T look me in the eye. Personal touch is okay with me, it shows that the nurse is showing care and compassion. Punctuality IS important to me and when I'm late I'm very embarrassed. I don't know of any witch doctors and if I did I would be scared to go around them. As far as the fried foods go...hey I love fried foods, but since I've gotten older I've made a conscious effort to limit my intake of fried foods and I use only pure canola or olive oil when frying. I do however, have an interest in herbal medicine and would try an herb to help promote good health, but I wouldn't substitute it for conventional medicine. For example I drink senna tea to help with constipation.
I know this does have a place in the nursing curriculum. I just never want to come across as assuming anything about a patient who is in front of me for fear that I might offend. I guess that type of intuition and experience will come with time.

Half of what was stated in that list you are referring to applied to a lot more than you as an african american, I have some friends who are from the south and they are caucasian, and can cook mean batch of fried foods that will make your mouth water. What does that mean for them?

supermo · Feb 9, 2006

Not all African-Americans are from Africa (i.e.Haiti, Australia, Carribean, etc.)

Am I the only one that can see the irony of this statement?

mo

HappyJaxRN · Feb 9, 2006

I think that it is also important to remember that although some of the things listed may be true for some people, they are just generalizations. Most African Americans are born and raised in the U.S. and so some of those generalizations are just the not true, in fact the opposite may be true. I am black and I think that direct eye contact is very important and I always try to maintain eye contact when speaking with someone and I would be offended if a nurse didn't give me eye contact when speaking to me. I also value punctuality very much, because it is a good personality trait. I don't believe a person's race has anything to do with how they value time or their eating habits, these things are related to culture and socioeconomic status and the mainstream culture is the American culture that a lot of people, regardless of race, adapt to. So I like to keep all those things that are specific to each culture in mind, but your interaction with any person really depends on what that person's characteristics and not the generalized characteristics of that person's race.

Omgosh...I'm so glad you came back with this. I wanted to rebut on this, but since I'm not black, I can't say....only what I've experienced as a nurse. Not all black people don't want you looking directly at the eyes. In fact, I've known several black women that want you to talk to them, directly, with eye contact....So I'm confused here. Eye contact or not? This entry is correct. We can't generalize based on someone's race...it's what the individual is comfortable with. You can't go by what the book says... :rolleyes:

live4today, RN · Feb 9, 2006

I think alot of the responses are generalizing statements. I am from the Caribbean, I do not believe in witch craft. I believe in Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God. I like to make eye contact when talking to people. I do not eat high fat foods or high sodium. I eat healthy foods and exercise. I do not practice voodoo.
A fundamental principle that underlies all nursing practice is respect for the inherent worth, dignity and human rights of every individual. Nurses are morally obligated to respect the individual needs and values of all persons.
Respect is important in all cultures instead of assuming that a particular group believe in witch craft, eat certain foods etc.

I give you a standing ovation for stating this so eloquently and truthfully. :nurse:

live4today, RN · Feb 9, 2006

in the nursing home where i work (cna) there is an african american woman that we care for. another cna (also an african american) made the comment to me one day, that she is the only person in the facility that knows how to care for this residents hair and that incorrect care given by other cna's is actually ruining this patients hair (dry, brittle and breaking off). i think that it would be a good learning opportunity to research on how african americans care for their hair and write about that.
hooterhorse
student nurse

many black people care for their hair the same way other racial groups care for their hair ------- not all hair is the same even if one is in the same racial group.

caucasians have a mixture of hair textures that vary from straight, kinky, crinkled, wavy, wirey, curly, and some are chemically treated to change the texture of their hair.

black people's hair textures are exactly the same. some hair textures are naturally straight, naturally curly, naturally kinky, naturally wavy, naturally wiry, and some are chemically treated to change the texture of their hair.

again...this takes us back to square one.......ask the individual patient/resident/client the best way to care for them. do not assume because you took care of one black patient that you now have it down pat on how to take care of others that follow. :nurse:

name me a culture that does not go through these same hair changes.

MichaelLooney · Feb 9, 2006

Just how do you know?
Is there a way to be respectful, and not break the rules, even tho you're looking someone in the eye and they consider it disrespectful?

its like this:

Anyone of any report will understand if you do something disrespectful to THEM if its clear that you didn't realize it was disrespectful b/c where you come from it isn't, and you appoligize for being so to them in a manner that makes them beleive youre being truthful.

Now, there's LOTS of reasons people may not look you in the eye. Like I said before, my grandmother was raised in the military and she raised me most of my life. In the military, or at least how it USE to be, you didn't look a commanding officer in the eye. It was rude. That's come over to me being the sort who doesn't look someone in the eye who's my better.

I know a LOT of people have repeated over and over that if you don't look someone in the eye, you're precived as being a lier or hiding something. I don't hide anything. Its WAY too odvious when I'm lieing, beleive me! But its just the way I've become that I don't look someone in the eye unless I'm absolutely comfortable about where I am in position to them, ya know?

If I comfuse people, that's what I do a lot, too.

Edit: Treat people in the beginning how YOU would want to be treated by them. If there's a missujnderstanding between you, appoligize and correct yourself. Its as simple as that.

pickledpepperRN · Feb 10, 2006

I made an error when I was a CNA years ago. A wonderful RN had saved a life and modeled such amazing kindness to her patients and co workers that I began to hug her. She told me, "We Japanese Americans don't feel comfortable with hugs.'

I learned to ask before touching anyone especially a patient even if it is necessary.

A good friend at another hospital was born in Japan. She's a hugger. We hug hello and good bye almost every time we get together.

ShawnetteRN05 · Feb 10, 2006

"You ain't never lied." For those that aren't aware, that's ebonics for you're telling the truth. :rotfl:

lol :chuckle

mismissy69 · Feb 10, 2006

My advice is to treat all patients with respect. Im so tired of all this separation BS we are all people, and as long as you are respectful and know your job you are ok. I am an african american person and I disagree with the eye contact thing. I was taught that when ever I speak to someone to look them in the eye. It shows interest and confidence. Thats something that my grandmother instilled in me and thats what I continue to do today.

leslie :-D · Feb 10, 2006

how long does it take to do an assessment of your pt? whenever i assess, i take into consideration their personal likes/dislikes and i can determine this within a few minutes. it's simple but trite: treat others the way you would want to be treated, has never let me down. God, i couldn't imagine trying to do my job if i had this pretend list of what i was to do and not do. i'll find out everything pertinent in my initial assessment, thank you very much.

leslie

mismissy69 · Feb 10, 2006

how long does it take to do an assessment of your pt? whenever i assess, i take into consideration their personal likes/dislikes and i can determine this within a few minutes. it's simple but trite: treat others the way you would want to be treated, has never let me down. God, i couldn't imagine trying to do my job if i had this pretend list of what i was to do and not do. i'll find out everything pertinent in my initial assessment, thank you very much.
leslie

Well put I couldn't agree with you more

nicholrwalker · Feb 10, 2006

My advice is to treat all patients with respect. Im so tired of all this separation BS we are all people, and as long as you are respectful and know your job you are ok. I am an african american person and I disagree with the eye contact thing. I was taught that when ever I speak to someone to look them in the eye. It shows interest and confidence. Thats something that my grandmother instilled in me and thats what I continue to do today.

Here,here....I was raised that way too. Also we dont eat a lot of fried foods,everyone in family is college educated, we do not all have DM & HTN either. And by the way I have silky wavy hair. So how would you talk to me? Mind you I would be highly offended by some numbnut who may think they are speaking to me according to my ethnicity. Again, just be natural and geniune..everyone is different, deal with people as they come not as you may ASSume they are. :rolleyes: