I am not an American but from a European culture. I have cared for all kinds of patients and I have no problem with doing this. I have a question I have noticed about a trend I have noticed in some black American patients, but not in other patients I've cared for. (Please note I am not talking about patients from Africa, the Carribean, etc)
When I speak to patients of this culture, I have noticed a percentage of them will ignore me. This has happened many times, enough for me to take notice. For example, I will ask the patient "Are you having pain right now?" or "Are you feeling sick to your stomach?" In a clear tone. The patient will be awake, alert, but will lay on the bed with their eyes closed and not respond. I will ask again, and again they will not respond. Many times, worried that they have gone unresponsive, I will nudge them and say "Are you awake? Are you okay?" And get a look of annoyance from them.
I'm wondering if this is a cultural thing for some black Americans. As a European, who was routinely berated for not responding promptly to people around me, I find this behavior to be perplexing and a bit irritating, as it will go on like this through the interview (with the patient repeatedly not responding to pertinent questions). I know in some cultures, stoic-ness is valued, and I wonder if a history of oppression / discrimination has made some individuals feel that no matter what, their voice will not be heard, so they instead remain silent. I also understand that patients respond differently to pain and other ailments, with some shutting down and others showing their discomfort loudly.
In an atmosphere of today where diversity is a sensitive issue, I'm hoping I didn't offend anyone and hoping that someone can help me understand this behavior so that I can work more effectively with all of my patients.
As I believe I said - some of them give attitude to white nurses only. Only and only and only one ethnicity. That fully fit the word of racist. (If I omit the comment about white potato, they gave to a white CNA attempting to take vitals.) If you have a problem with racism, stop please playing the card - oh, racism is only one way street. NO IT IS NOT. As I said previously and I insist - there are African Americans who are racist, and then there are the ones who are not. Any further issue with reality???
No need for crystal ball on my side. Maybe necessity to comprehend a written word on your would be sufficient. I wrote: "The reason is, some of them, one portion of those ignoring African Americans is that they are exhibiting sings of racism, as they direct such a behavior to whites only." Do you need me to write you a definition of racism? (No problem, here it is: a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races. ")
Or you will rather prefer to consult a fortuneteller?
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
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Patients ignore me all the time. Usually they're just sick and tired, and they get a pass. I haven't noticed any one race as worse than the other. Young people are bad, but they get a pass too. Just because they've not grown up yet.
The one that sticks out in my head was a young middle eastern man. Disclaimer: I'm not blasting middle eastern men. He refused to answer questions and stared at me the entire time. It was unnerving. It was clearly an attempt to disrespect and insult me. I suspect because I'm female more that because I'm white.
He was from an affluent family, so class issues might also have been an issue.
Sometimes it just wears me down trying to figure out why people behave the way they do.
Yes, I've encountered this experience on numerous occasions. And in 10 years of nursing, it's only been from black Americans from the same region that I'm from. I've never understood it, because it IS RUDE.
I believe many people are afraid to even mention race, but yes, it is racism.
I've served communities where it was obvious that the initial difficulties I've had establishing a relationship with the patient are because I am white. It doesn't last long though, because it truly isn't personal. And I am pretty awesome 😂
My strategy has been to let go of my negative reaction to someone being rude by not acknowledging my presence (nurses are still human). I carry on as if they are a part of the conversation and not being weird and rude. I try to make a connection somehow, beyond the task at hand, and lighten everyone up a little. I call them "my little ray of sunshine" (that always gets them to crack a smile, because they know they're being an a**hole).
Some of my most memorable and deepest patient connections have started this way. And let me tell you, some of the BEST home cooked food routinely comes my way 😜
The reading and comprehension are the basic skills required and usually tested (together with critical thinking skills) by nursing schools. This is nursing forum, right? In my version of reality - I do read, I do comprehend, and I do not side with racism whichever race it is pointed against.
Specializes in Emergency/Trauma/Critical Care Nursing.
The reading and comprehension are the basic skills required and usually tested (together with critical thinking skills) by nursing schools. This is nursing forum, right? In my version of reality - I do read, I do comprehend, and I do not side with racism whichever race it is pointed against.
What does that have to do with the topic of this thread?? I'm so confused by your posts...
In brief since it would require to read fully all previous posts: As much as one posts observation and experience regarding part of those African Americans who ignore white nurse (and in experience only white staff) are racist. That much it has to do with that.
I work in OBS and I get that a lot with Africain and Caribbean patients. Plus, many will ignore you, while making a sound aspiring air through their teeth, when you talk to them. I googled did and some people registered it on UrbanDictionnary as the act of "kissing teeth".
I also observed with the same ethnic group an other sound related to extreme pain: they do a repetitive huh-huh sound, it sounds a bit like a North American "No-no" onomatopoeia.
Cultural differentiation exists, if we can't discuss it, then we can't try to understand and give culturally competent cares. Keep up questioning yourself!
Um. I don't notice this in African American but sometimes we have people who will do this. Or when mom speaks for the kid. Quit speaking for the kid. And when I say kid, I mean someone who is 18, 20, 25+.
First, I agree - I've seen it in every culture I've worked with (first job was a predominately AA area, most co-workers were African or AA, next job was in a lower-income predominately white area, with a large population of Burmese and quite a few Hispanics). It happened about evenly across the board.
Now, for the answering for your kid - I had a patient once who's mom stayed with her all 3 days AND nights she was with us. SHE was 68. Mom was in her early nineties. Mom used a walker and was frail as all get out. I was always afraid mom was going to die on my shift! (patient was in for a scheduled hysterectomy). Mom answered all the assessment and further questions. Patient was NOT delayed.
Dexterosa
48 Posts
As I believe I said - some of them give attitude to white nurses only. Only and only and only one ethnicity. That fully fit the word of racist. (If I omit the comment about white potato, they gave to a white CNA attempting to take vitals.) If you have a problem with racism, stop please playing the card - oh, racism is only one way street. NO IT IS NOT. As I said previously and I insist - there are African Americans who are racist, and then there are the ones who are not. Any further issue with reality???