Am I overreacting?

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

I will keep things as much to the point as possible here and not able to provide more exact details due to sensitive nature of the event.

I was in common area of a health care facility of which I am NOT an employee. While there, I saw several ancillary employees of that facility. These guys were not licensed personnel but nevertheless ones which have daily contact with patients and visitors. At that moment, they were "discussing" potential wave of immigrants coming into the USA and if what they said could not be qualified as hate speech, then I do not know what can. The area was relatively empty but there were other employees of the same facility, and nobody made a move to stop them. I was so upset that I pretty much ran out to cry.

I am an immigrant, and I had experienced "cultural rasism" before. The case left me deeply disquieted. I cannot imagine these people, who are apparently able to hate other human beings just for the circumstances of their birth, getting near my patients, I cannot imagine our friends (among which there are lots of immigrants from every faith and continent) ever seeking care there. I do not want to call their "ethics hotline" because 1) it is not at all anonimous; and 2) I have 110% assurance that nothing will be done. I do understand that what happened is essentially not my business as I am not even employed there, but I just cannot sign it all off with the note that "we can't treat stupid". I do realize that spreading word in social networks is even more stupid and even less professional. I do not want to come down to those so-called "people" 's level of total lack of integrity and respect toward others.

Am I overreacting? Do I have any options except never, ever seeking care or employment there? How to manage situation like this professionally and with hope on getting some results?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

A) Not sure why you were eavesdropping on someone else's conversation

B) One of the freedoms we have as Americans is freedom of speech. Even if it is idiotic (the speech, not the freedom).

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

A) Not sure why you were eavesdropping on someone else's conversation

B) One of the freedoms we have as Americans is freedom of speech. Even if it is idiotic (the speech, not the freedom).

I was not eavesdropping. The talk was loud enough to everyone around to hear. And I am well aware of the First Amendment and many "gray zones" it implies, but there are still some limits. Those were denigrating, hating words used toward the people only "guilty" of being born in the wrong place, speaking different language and going in different place to pray.

[Oh'Ello, BSN, RN]

On what terms were you at the facility, were you a student there? Waiting with a family member? A patient yourself? You really could lodge a complaint about that, as that behavior is totally inappropriate in a work setting.

[heron, ASN, RN]

I don't think you're over-reacting, but the reality is that we don't have a right to make people shut up just because we dislike what they're saying.

On the other hand, we do get to articulate our own thinking and experience. A letter to the facility's administration might make you feel better, although it's unlikely to change whatever it is that the idiots use for minds. Ditto for a letter to your local newspaper.

Nativist haters are gonna hate - all we can do is limit the harm they do by getting involved in advocacy and public debate.

We can't make them shut up - but we can talk back.

[anewsns]

I think it would be fine to write a letter to an administrator for peace of mind. Thats offensive and no matter the result , it will take a load off your shoulders.

[icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN]

If I heard ethnic slurs about immigrants in a public area of any place of business, I would write a letter to the CEO.

I would describe the incident and state that not only was it offensive but it raises real concern that immigrants could be discriminated against by these employees.

[KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN]

Again, thank you all!!

I wrote a nice short letter to the CEO of that place and kind of feel better about the incident, although, in truth, I do not believe they will actually do anything. Who knows what will happen, but for now writing it indeed gave me some peace of mind and sense of doing something. At least now I know where not to go, for job or for care. My alma mater university will know about it too, in a few days. There is an international study program there actively recruiting students from Mid East, and I wish these guys positive immigration experience. Heron, you are right... I cannot treat stupid, but I can try to minimize the harm they do.

And, for the end, I hope I will never have to go with another critically sick patient for interfacility transfer. Too much trouble for me, by all means.

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

Yes, I believe you are over reacting, this is the USA, nobody has to like or agree with everyone.... now unless someone PERSONALLY addressed you in a derogatory, threatening way, theres really nothing to be done or said... I've been plenty of places where I did not like the subject matter a group of people were speaking about.... and , it was too bad for me, they didn't involve me in the conversation nor Adress me in any way that was insulting

Again: YES, ABSOLUTELY, you over reacted