Hello ladies, I am looking for some honest advice about something that has been troubling me. First off, I love my job...and I love being a nurse, but my work environment has never sat right with me and this is one of the reasons why.
I have this coworker who keeps making negative comments about Aboriginal patients and people in general. At first, I brushed it off thinking that I was being too sensitive and over-reacting, but last night she said something along the lines of wishing a nearby reserve would "just get their own hospital" so she wouldn't have as many native patients. I am the only Aboriginal person on my unit...and I just don't know what to do. What's worse is that when she makes these comments, nobody stops or corrects her, they sometimes even giggle along. I sent a short email that glazed over my concerns to the head manager of the obstetrics program, hoping for a sit down so that we could discuss what to do. She hasn't gotten back to me yet.
I've researched the Alberta Human Rights Act and the AHS Code of Conduct, and I can't find anything in there that gives me any clarity. I'm a fairly new nurse as well...any advice that might be helpful is welcomed.
Specializes in EDUCATION;HOMECARE;MATERNAL-CHILD; PSYCH.
I would imagine it's possible the nurse you're complaining about didn't see anything wrong in discounting a race of people, just as you saw nothing wrong with discounting an entire gender. Sometimes people don't realize what they're saying it how it can be perceived.
Just because somebody does not think what he/she is doing or saying is wrong or adversely affecting other people, is not an excuse to condone discrimination against anyboody - especially in the nursing profession that professes to be a caring profession.
Actually, the OP should report the nurse immediately. The negative commentator nurse may be an actual or potential danger to the Aboriginal patients.
My thought on next steps: I think it's best to start with the person who's doing this, making it clear that what she did is not ok & needs to stop. Also let her know that if it starts again, you'll hit up your manager.
Well that's your opinion. And if the post had started "hey men" the female population would be up in arms. Sorry if the gender discrimination doesn't bother you, but that doesn't make it any less valid.
I did a little googling for you, &, it turns out, 90% of nurses in Canada are females. The OP was not discriminating; it was a natural, inadvertent omission. I would prescribe you a chill pill, but it's out of my scope.
Discrimination is not cool! I can't believe these still happens in the workplace. Yes, you should start having a sincere conversation with her and let her know that she must stop and make her reflect to that. You keep on doing your stuff and don't mind her too much for now, wait for the respond from the manager.
I, like Maggie, wouldn't be able to contain myself if I were in the OP's shoes. I would turn to the person who said that with an evil look on my face and say "you're speaking about my family." That would probably shut her up and, if it didn't, things could get ugly. I once had a conversation with a former co-worker in the midst of the 2008 election in which she spoke ignorance that I couldn't believe could come out of an educated person's mouth. She essentially told me that she believed that all Muslims are terrorists and then told me she was "glad I survived being friends with 'people like that'" when I told her of all the Muslim friends I've had over the years. It started when she couldn't counter any facts a co-worker and I presented about Obama and her retort was "he's a &^@*ing Muslim anyway." I never looked at her the same again and went out of my way to ensure I never had to cross paths with her.
Is it even remotely possible that the person doing this is just plain ignorant? There are people that have no clue about how their behavior comes across to those around them.
In America, how many times does one hear "I bet they are illegals with no insurance" "we are paying for their care, they need to go back to where they came from". "Illegals are stressing out our resources". Then it morphs into every single person who is of another heritage are in America illegally.....and on it goes.
OP, I am sorry that this has happened to you. Inappropriate, rude, and highly ignorant. Perhaps you could suggest a cultural competency education. In the meanwhile, look at your handbook to see the proper timeline/procedure for complaints regarding racism, harassment, hostile work environments.
Speak also to your union. Culture insensitivity should not be tolerated at any level. However, I would protect yourself and make sure you have your own malpractice insurance. Only because depending on the culture of your unit, there may be a time where every thing that you do will be monitored. That is NOT supposed to happen, however, it can and does. Which is beyond sad, but it occurs.
My best to you going forward, and let us know how it goes.
I think you guys have beat her supposed gender discrimination to death now.
I don't think the OP advocates gender discrimination...I don't feel I was discriminated against when the opening post was only addressed to "ladies." I just felt it was a bit insensitive not to consider that many guys participate in AN discussions too--and I felt it was worth pointing that fact out.
I wish I could say this is true. I've never seen a situation as overt as described the OP (i.e., someone telling of a person of different race/heritage), but I'm sure it happens somewhere in the US. I have heard people make discriminatory/racist comments, just no to the face of those of the other race. The US is a great country, but we certainly have our shortcomings.
icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN
1,970 Posts
If someone insulted my people like that I could not contain myself. I would say This is our hospital! You just work here!
If the others laugh and giggle along with this bigot, I would ask them if they think it's funny to discriminate against an entire race of people.
Your coworker sounds like an idiot. Do not tolerate that ignorance anymore.
I don't know anything about your region. It would be a positive thing if you could educate the staff about the traditions and beliefs of your people.
I see some mandatory education coming their way.