Assumptions

[Isitpossible]

I recently had a conversation at my new employer with the director of social services. We were just shooting the breeze, getting to know one another, and began discussing which shift we would work as this a new unit in a hospital When I told her that I am scheduled for days, her response was (very jovial)... OH GREAT!! well be working together... I LOVE the techs---- you guys are the front line........ I was surprised and a bit annoyed at her assumption and chose to ignore that comment. She then said something else again repeating the word tech. I looked at her and said I'm not a tech, I'm an RN. I was angry and hurt, but she will never know that. I cut the conversation short at that point. But it continues to resonate... I can only assume her assumptions was based on my race. I really don't think if I had been a white woman, she would have assumed I was a tech. Im still annoyed... Now I have to figure out a way to work with her without showing my content for her ignorance.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

This article is from 2011 (hence the reference to a "nursing shortage" in general) however, I think that the 50 and under crowd has evolved enough that the color of someone's skin has absolutely no bearing on anything.

Not to be too picky, but one of the reasons for that is because of the hard work the over-50s crowd did before you. Us too. :)

[imintrouble, BSN, RN]

My husband works in a hospital. He was changing linens on a bed and needed help. He stepped into the hall and cornered the first person he saw in scrubs.

The female helped him change the bed and get the patient squared away and left. He later found out the woman he took for CNA or nurse, was one of the most prestigious surgeons on staff. She was making rounds.

She didn't try to make him feel small or stupid. She never even told him who she was. He only found out later, and then apologized.

[OCNRN63, RN]

Not to be too picky, but one of the reasons for that is because of the hard work the over-50s crowd did before you. Us too. :)

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer; the deaths of Freedom Marchers Cheney, Schwerner, and Goodman; and, the Civil Rights Act being signed into law. Yeah, the Boomer generation did a lot to change things.