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.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Yes! The only black students I know to receive full-rides/lots of scholarships were from really poor families, usually first generation who were GREAT students in high school.
I was a first-generation student from a moderate-income working-class household where neither parent had attended college, but I still didn't qualify for need-based scholarships or aid.
As far as qualifying for aid is concerned, the worst situation imaginable happens when you come from a family that is situated above the poverty line but below the level needed to meet all expenses.
I started feeling like this after my 200th application.. Someone even suggested that I put that I was white on my apps.. lol. So I just put links to my linkedin and fb in the resume hoping they'd look me up and fall in love -- haha
I'm sorry...I live in a town where the daughters of the confederacy flew a rebel flag in front of the court house for decades much of the time protested. In a state where a KKK grand dragon almost became governor. In an area with roughly 50/50 black and white population where test scores are altered or ignored to meet school racial enrollment policies. I don't think you understand justhow racially charged a small louisiana town can be...
Racism is a fact. Is it right? Is it good? No. But does that mean it won't exist? Sadly no. So just avoid it.
Also, we're those black employers or potential employers discriminating against me? Well, I don't know how growing up in government housing makes me privileged, but my color may have factored? I don't think so though, and if it did, I'm glad they chose to decline to hire me.
What I do find interesting though are the presumptions you make about me in your post. They are pretty off target.
Sorry all. If you think you're a victim you probably are. Carry on. It's not my problem and doesn't affect me in the least. Complain away. I'm out of the pity party. Interestingly though, many of you have been rather racist toward me because I am White. Saying I have an "affliction" and whatnot. Oh well. Like I advised you to do...I am apathetic toward it and moving on. Not my problem.
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Sorry all. If you think you're a victim you probably are. Carry on. It's not my problem and doesn't affect me in the least. Complain away. I'm out of the pity party.
Yep. I've heard pitiful refrain too many times to count: "Why do those people always complain when they don't get their way? They seem to have the victim mentality. Like, I just can't understand them!"
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
Here we go again, I am black and the world is wronging me all the time.
I got news for you there are people with your same qualifications, white, black, purple, it doesn't matter everyone is having a hard time getting a job, it has nothing to do with your skin color!!
Should I start a thread "I am white and no one will hire me!"?
I am so sick of this racial stuff being used as a scape goat anytime someone can't get what they want! Enough is enough!!
Oh no. I agree. Every time someone has trouble finding a job etc. It is definitely because they are of a certain skin color. That has to be it. I mean, that's all employers look at. Name and race. Everyone knows that. I've been so terribly off base to suggest otherwise. Also, a racist boss is fine. It's It's a job. Who cares who they work for? I've been set right in my ways! I see the light!
Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.
Well, if you would like to work for someone who views you as a lesser human being, then I must say, you're right. I was wrong. That's the job for you and not getting it was a loss. I guess I just can't relate to that desire?
You cannot relate to paying your bills in a recession? You cannot relate to the feeling of deflation or dissatisfaction of going from working a great paying, fully-benefited/fulltime position to unemployment/underemployment? That concept is hard for you to grasp?
Also...you submitted over 150 thousand resumes? That boggles my mind. I'm sorry, but you're not ever going to convince me that out of 150 THOUSAND resumes/letters of intent, all that were discarded were because of your skin color or name. I can guarantee that there is more to THAT picture!
Hmmm, well, if you submit about 10 applications/resumes to 7+ search engines/job websites: indeed, careerbuilder, monster, some craigslists, direct to Kaiser, dignity health, the providence system, various environmental/consulting firms (Aon, Jacobs, etc), employment agencies. Since it was all online and pretty efforlesst, i did this daily for 5+ years; as I am only part-time now while in nursing school.
So you're right, I was off. The real number as of last month is 127,750.
Hmmm, and you're right again, something is wrong with me - I take race personally, and don't capitalize proper names on a social web-forum. That's an excellent reason to possibly overlook me as a candidate.
Specializes in TCU, Post-surgical, Infection Prevention.
I'm sorry...I live in a town where the daughters of the confederacy flew a rebel flag in front of the court house for decades much of the time protested. In a state where a KKK grand dragon almost became governor. In an area with roughly 50/50 black and white population where test scores are altered or ignored to meet school racial enrollment policies. I don't think you understand justhow racially charged a small louisiana town can be...
Racism is a fact. Is it right? Is it good? No. But does that mean it won't exist? Sadly no. So just avoid it.
Also, we're those black employers or potential employers discriminating against me? Well, I don't know how growing up in government housing makes me privileged, but my color may have factored? I don't think so though, and if it did, I'm glad they chose to decline to hire me.
What I do find interesting though are the presumptions you make about me in your post. They are pretty off target.
Yikes, that sounds like a nightmare!!!! lol For, real - I have watched TimeToKill - so I am imagining that's pretty much the town you're describing. lol Why would I want to live there, when I can live in Los Angeles County? That sounds terrifying. That just may be the military brat/NewEnglander in me. Or I like my racism insidious, instead of abrupt and unfiltered.
Why are you so fired up about a situation that doesn't really affect you, because you don't view our experiences the way we do?
It's okay that you don't view what we experience for what it is... You really don't think this is something we'd love to look back and realize we were totally off base? lol
Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.
The colleges I attended had tons of scholarships if you were Black. I say that, because that's how they are described "Available for African Americans*" in their descriptions. Just Google the college of your choice and see what they have available.
I will add that there is also a quota to be met. The school were my son went opening advertised that they were trying to achieve Latino status. To do this they needed greater than 25% Latino enrolled in their school and they advertised for Latinos to consider their school. This goal was achieved by the way.....meeting the goal meant that school was granted additional Federal money so they could grant more partial or full rides to students.
Another example is the big law suit that is going on in Texas right now. There is a girl who is suing a large university. The state has a rule that the top 10% of high school seniors - irregardless of color - have guaranteed admittance to the state universities, as long as they have enough seats. By that I mean colleges have a cap on the number of students they can admit every year based on teachers, space etc.
Anyway, the girl had a very high GPA which should have guaranteed her admittance, however she was not admitted, and later found that other students who had lower GPAs, but were minorities, were admitted. The case has moved to the Supreme Court.
There are many programs set up out there that benefit many ethnic groups. While they may not hand over a check in all cases, [like was done with me] folks benefit none the less; some just may not realize it.
Well, if you would like to work for someone who views you as a lesser human being, then I must say, you're right. I was wrong. That's the job for you and not getting it was a loss. I guess I just can't relate to that desire?QUOTE]
You cannot relate to paying your bills in a recession? You cannot relate to the feeling of deflation or dissatisfaction of going from working a great paying, fully-benefited/fulltime position to unemployment/underemployment? That concept is hard for you to grasp?
Hmmm, well, if you submit about 10 applications/resumes to 7+ search engines/job websites: indeed, careerbuilder, monster, some craigslists, direct to Kaiser, dignity health, the providence system, various environmental/consulting firms (Aon, Jacobs, etc), employment agencies. Since it was all online and pretty efforlesst, i did this daily for 5+ years; as I am only part-time now while in nursing school.
So you're right, I was off. The real number as of last month is 127,750.
Hmmm, and you're right again, something is wrong with me - I take race personally, and don't capitalize proper names on a social web-forum. That's an excellent reason to possibly overlook me as a candidate.
Just so you know...
I have a friend who has applied for many jobs. Not the stuff you did but actual hour long resume/test type applications. He has yet to find a job and he has 3 years of experience. I on the other hand applied for one job and landed it in 2 weeks. There is just sometimes no accounting for things. I really doubt your race or color or name or whatever are the factor here.
I will add that there is also a quota to be met. The school were my son went opening advertised that they were trying to achieve Latino status. To do this they needed greater than 25% Latino enrolled in their school and they advertised for Latinos to consider their school. This goal was achieved by the way.....meeting the goal meant that school was granted additional Federal money so they could grant more partial or full rides to students.
Another example is the big law suit that is going on in Texas right now. There is a girl who is suing a large university. The state has a rule that the top 10% of high school seniors - irregardless of color - have guaranteed admittance to the state universities, as long as they have enough seats. By that I mean colleges have a cap on the number of students they can admit every year based on teachers, space etc.
Anyway, the girl had a very high GPA which should have guaranteed her admittance, however she was not admitted, and later found that other students who had lower GPAs, but were minorities, were admitted. The case has moved to the Supreme Court.
There are many programs set up out there that benefit many ethnic groups. While they may not hand over a check in all cases, [like was done with me] folks benefit none the less; some just may not realize it.
This happened in my town. Whites with scores meeting admission standards were turned away in fa or of Blacks who failed to meet or surpass the white students scores who were turned away. It hit the news and was messy. I want to say it was about 5 years ago and involved a high school. Certain ratios are required like you say. I say make it 100% merit based.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
As far as qualifying for aid is concerned, the worst situation imaginable happens when you come from a family that is situated above the poverty line but below the level needed to meet all expenses.