Discrimination Application Question

Nursing Students General Students

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I am applying to nursing school and one of my applications has asked me to write about discrimination I have faced or witnessed and how I dealt with the situation. I honestly cannot think of anything at the moment. I am sure I have witnessed something, but I can't think of anything. I am a female, early 20's, and Caucasian.

Can anyone help me think of something I might be able to write about? Maybe give me some examples of things you have experienced and that might spark my memory to some experiences I have had.

Thank you!

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Have you ever felt affected by ageism? Where someone has treated you differently or downplayed your abilities specifically because you're younger than them? This was an issue for me when I became a CNA 2 months after I turned 18. I was employed at a long-term care facility where the majority of my colleagues were 10-20 years older. The older nurses/aides would call me the "baby of the family" and make little comments like that, none of which were ever intended to come across maliciously and I laughed most of the time. But eventually I had to say something because I was worried my residents would pick up on the remarks without realizing they were jokes and begin to doubt my competency in providing care.

The biggest aspect admissions is focusing on with this type of question is the "how you handled it" portion. They want to see that you are able to recognize discrimination when you see and were able to react appropriately and professionally. So even if you have to make something up or embellish, I would just make sure it is very well written, personable, and showcases your personality traits that will make you a well-rounded nurse (compassionate, level-headed, calm yet assertive, etc.) Good luck!

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Specializes in PICU.

or think about a moment when you felt someone was treated unfairly. Something that might have been cringe-worthy, and most importantly the resolution and your problem solving skills

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How about you write about the time a college asked you to write about discrimination you faced so they could weed out anyone white from a normal middle class family.

I am a proud black Latino and have faced my share of stupid comments, etc. Just in case anyone pulls the race card on me.

Seriously, everyone just stop. I grew up in the Dominican Republic, and my parents remember when Trujillo's goons would come through looking for someone and kill him, then disappear his entire family. THAT is real discrimination, and it is happening all over the world to this day. You have it so easy in the USA and don't see how blessed you are, but *cough cough* certain people are blowing hard on the coals of some past injustices, trying to create a fire.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Forensics, Addictions.

Does anyone in your family or a friend have mental illness? Have you seen them treated differently because of their illness?

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I'm sure you've *seen* discrimination in action, even if it wasn't directed towards you. Ever stood up for someone being treated badly? Told an obnoxious a-hole bothering someone different where to shove it?

As an aside, just because you are a young white woman doesn't necessarily mean you've never been discriminated against. Please don't assume that - it discounts not only any experiences you may have had as well as others like you.

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Specializes in retired LTC.
Does anyone in your family or a friend have mental illness? Have you seen them treated differently because of their illness?

Or obesity?

Obese-bashing is very prevalent with little, if any, interference by others.

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

Are you blonde or had a friend who was blonde get the "dumb bimbo" treatment?

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Specializes in ICU.
How about you write about the time a college asked you to write about discrimination you faced so they could weed out anyone white from a normal middle class family.

I am a proud black Latino and have faced my share of stupid comments, etc. Just in case anyone pulls the race card on me.

Seriously, everyone just stop. I grew up in the Dominican Republic, and my parents remember when Trujillo's goons would come through looking for someone and kill him, then disappear his entire family. THAT is real discrimination, and it is happening all over the world to this day. You have it so easy in the USA and don't see how blessed you are, but *cough cough* certain people are blowing hard on the coals of some past injustices, trying to create a fire.

Umm, why?? The op was asking about a question on a nursing application. She openly admitted she has never faced discrimination. I'm very sorry for the terrible injustices you faced growing up. That must have been awful for you. I can't even imagine.

But discrimination is a very hot topic here today in the United States. The OP has to answer a question competently on her application and asked for help. I guess I'm not understanding your response to her.

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Specializes in ICU.

OP I can understand how this is a efficient question to answer. I am also a Caucasian woman with blonde hair and blue eyes and always felt very fortunate to have never experienced true discrimination.

I always think that question has more to do with adversity than discrimination but here is how I would answer it.

I would state that I have felt fortunate in this day and age to not have experienced discrimination but that I have witnessed it and here is what I did or how it made me feel. Think back to high school and think about bullying. Maybe an autistic classmate that got picked on or that strange girl who didn't conform to what the "in" crowd thought she should be. Have you ever stood up for someone who was weaker than the others? Did it ever outrage you to see that? That is how I would answer it.

I realize how truly lucky I am. I know many people on here are not as fortunate as me. I have as the years have gone on, experienced some discrimination, although not to the extent of others. It's not fun and it can hurt you to your soul.

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Thank you everyone for your help. I think I figured out what I can write about. In high school, I attended a school that had a lot of racial and social class diversity. Everyone in town labeled us as the worst high school to attend. They said we had tons of gangs, poor people, violence, etc... When people asked me what school I went to, I would tell them and they would say they were sorry I went there. I was never disappointed in my school. I thought we had more pride than any other school in the district. We overlooked race and social class, which brought us all together. I believe this experience helped prepare me for a career in nursing. I don't pay attention to peoples' differences. I focus on learning about them as an individual.

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Specializes in PICU.
Thank you everyone for your help. I think I figured out what I can write about. In high school, I attended a school that had a lot of racial and social class diversity. Everyone in town labeled us as the worst high school to attend. They said we had tons of gangs, poor people, violence, etc... When people asked me what school I went to, I would tell them and they would say they were sorry I went there. I was never disappointed in my school. I thought we had more pride than any other school in the district. We overlooked race and social class, which brought us all together. I believe this experience helped prepare me for a career in nursing. I don't pay attention to peoples' differences. I focus on learning about them as an individual.

Nice job on figuring it out OP. This is a great example. Good luck to you in your admission process.

:yes:

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