This may come off as more of a vent, but I see white new grads, some with less nursing and healthcare education than myself, getting jobs, some of them highly coveted specialties. Yet here I am, with a BSN, magna cum laude, three years health care experience, new grad getting pushed aside. I interview well, but apparently not good enough. I am starting to feel bitter and can't help but wonder if my race might play a role. Other black new grads (BSNs too) are having a much harder time getting a job than white new grads.
Any black nurses want to comment on this phenomenon?
I am starting to look outside of my state, but I am not sure where to start. Preferably a place that is diverse.
Many of the states with a low % of nurses(North Dakota for example) are not diverse.
How would a black nurse feel comfortable in North Dakota?
This is why i really do not understand the nurses who say relocate if you have too.
Sometimes you just cannot.
And I agree, to a point, however, we both live in a region that is really diverse and if the OP wanted to move here and work, I know of three area hospitals that would hire her for her dream position.
There are far more populous diverse areas that will hire her.
I took a gay and lesbian lit class, during which in the opening lecture, our instructor said, "the only people who can recognize privilege are those who do not have it." What a sad truth that is. I'm saddened by this thread. The health care world desperately needs far more diversity.
I took a gay and lesbian lit class, during which in the opening lecture, our instructor said, "the only people who can recognize privilege are those who do not have it." What a sad truth that is. I'm saddened by this thread. The health care world desperately needs far more diversity.
Certain ethnicities are over/underrepresented in certain fields. It's just the nature of things. Is the NBA against non-Blacks? No, I highly doubt that.
I think that for racism to die the death it needs to have, AA, the concept of "privilige", and all other things need to be stamped out just as much as actual discrimination. All of the little programs which help minorities just because of their origin or skin color need to go away. All of the AA contracts handed out to companies by Ford and others need to disappear. We need a merit-based society and not a race-based society. Discrimination AND reverse-discrimination are to blame equally.
I am White. I grew up in an area where I was a minority. I can't recall it being a problem, nor did I go looking to make it a problem. So, yes, I can relate to being the only face "my color" in the room on MANY occasions. It never bothered me one bit. I don't define myself as "a White person". That mess is for background checks and my driver's license and such.
Certain ethnicities are over/underrepresented in certain fields. It's just the nature of things. Is the NBA against non-Blacks? No, I highly doubt that.
I think that for racism to die the death it needs to have, AA, the concept of "privilige", and all other things need to be stamped out just as much as actual discrimination. All of the little programs which help minorities just because of their origin or skin color need to go away. All of the AA contracts handed out to companies by Ford and others need to disappear. We need a merit-based society and not a race-based society. Discrimination AND reverse-discrimination are to blame equally.
I am White. I grew up in an area where I was a minority. I can't recall it being a problem, nor did I go looking to make it a problem. So, yes, I can relate to being the only face "my color" in the room on MANY occasions. It never bothered me one bit. I don't define myself as "a White person". That mess is for background checks and my driver's license and such.
No offense, but people with your mentality are part of the problem, not the solution. I suggest that you educate yourself; minorities have not benefited from affirmative action as much as their white female counterparts. To say otherwise is ludicrous and speaks volumes on your ignorance.
Just because YOU don't see a problem doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. In fact, you are probably part of the problem with your dismissive, condescending view of discrimination against people of color, and you bringing up "reverse discrimination" just proves my point.
Before spouting off at the mouth, educate yourself. Don't dismiss MY reality, and maybe I might be able to take you more seriously.
No offense, but people with your mentality are part of the problem, not the solution. I suggest that you educate yourself; minorities have not benefited from affirmative action as much as their white female counterparts. To say otherwise is ludicrous and speaks volumes on your ignorance.
Just because YOU don't see a problem doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. In fact, you are probably part of the problem with your dismissive, condescending view of discrimination against people of color, and you bringing up "reverse discrimination" just proves my point.
Before spouting off at the mouth, educate yourself. Don't dismiss MY reality, and maybe I might be able to take you more seriously.
That's all the more reason we should both want to get rid of discriminatory policies and monies. Giving people money because of their color DOES hurt them, I agree. This is why a large part of the Black population has an issue with LBJ (who of course hated Blacks, but bought their votes by flip-flopping into a massive proponent of civil rights and affirmative action type deals after seeing that this would win votes).
Anyway, I really don't think that "being Black" (or any other color) is what's keeping you from getting a job. I have too many Black co-workers, and went to school with too many Black students who landed jobs before I did, to agree with you.
HOWEVER..."your reality" depends on your location, too. SO...maybe you live in an area where it's an issue. I'd move, personally, because I don't have a point to prove in living where people hate me for my color. (which is part of why I moved from where I was a minority. I was treated just fine, but it was hard to get a job living a couple of miles from Mexico when I didn't speak the language, which is a legit reason not to hire someone, IMO).
I had a friend who recently graduated and obtained three job offers straight out of nursing school. We are black. And this is in Florida. I do believe that discrimination still happens. I think you should either relocate or you might unfortunately have to change your name. Relocating can help open doors and opportunities for you , I'm just saying. Good luck.
My hospital has predominately AA in all facets (housekeeping, nursing, techs etc.), and I am a minority as white. From talking with my coworkers, they have not experienced any prejudices in our workplace but my community is very diverse in Florida. I'm sure it happens in other places though!
Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.
My hospital has predominately AA in all facets (housekeeping, nursing, techs etc.), and I am a minority as white. From talking with my coworkers, they have not experienced any prejudices in our workplace but my community is very diverse in Florida. I'm sure it happens in other places though!
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Giving people money because of their color DOES hurt them, I agree.
Where is this money? Which social programs bestow money upon people based skin color? I'm asking because, as an African-American female, I have not personally enjoyed any freebie paydays in my 30+ years of existence that were race-based.
Certain ethnicities are over/underrepresented in certain fields. It's just the nature of things. Is the NBA against non-Blacks? No, I highly doubt that.
I think that for racism to die the death it needs to have, AA, the concept of "privilige", and all other things need to be stamped out just as much as actual discrimination. All of the little programs which help minorities just because of their origin or skin color need to go away. All of the AA contracts handed out to companies by Ford and others need to disappear. We need a merit-based society and not a race-based society. Discrimination AND reverse-discrimination are to blame equally.
I am White. I grew up in an area where I was a minority. I can't recall it being a problem, nor did I go looking to make it a problem. So, yes, I can relate to being the only face "my color" in the room on MANY occasions. It never bothered me one bit. I don't define myself as "a White person". That mess is for background checks and my driver's license and such.
Please, I genuinely mean you no offense, but you have proven my point about not recognizing privilege.
Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.
I'm sorry that we're in 2015 and still dealing with race issues. I am so grateful to live in California when it comes to matters like this. I'm sorry to the OP and hope she can find employment soon. Don't give up!
I live in LA County, and these race issues are still ongoing. I was on unemployment prior to getting into nursing school and no matter what I did, I was unable to secure a fulltime position. My first name is Russian/German sounding and my last name is probably Anglican. I look great on paper, however I am sure I threw the interviewers for a loop once they made my acquaintance.
In fact, like another poster mentioned upthread, there is intra-racial discrimination. Foreign born blacks are perceived as more capable/dedicated/knowledgable than American-born blacks. I experienced that here in California ("Are you Beliezian?") and in Florida ("Well, aren't you Jamacian?").
So, I wish you were right, but it still happens or else we wouldn't be having this conversation...
LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN
8,429 Posts
And I agree, to a point, however, we both live in a region that is really diverse and if the OP wanted to move here and work, I know of three area hospitals that would hire her for her dream position.
There are far more populous diverse areas that will hire her.