I am posting this because I need some feedback. I work at a SW Florida hospital and well just like the title says, everyone is white lol. The entire executive team, all the board members, and to be honest, in a department with over 50 employees, I am the only minority. The hospital has this website where staff can post questions to upper management and then they post an answer. I am tempted to ask why the disparity however to be honest I am afraid that I will be terminated if I do so. Has anyone else experienced this kind of discrimination and if so did you speak up about it? Please don't ask me what hospital or what department as I have to be anonymous for fear of retribution. 0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by mindofmidwifery, ADN mindofmidwifery is a ADN and specializes in ICU Stepdown. 1,419 Posts; 14,769 Profile Views What discrimination are you facing? Yes, I have been the only minority in a workplace and no, I never felt discriminated against or treated differently because of my race. 26 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by Naturally Brilliant, BSN, RN Naturally Brilliant has 3 years experience as a BSN, RN. 119 Posts; 4,178 Profile Views I'm going to echo the above commenter - what discrimination are you facing? Personally, if I were going to stay in a hospital system for the long-term career and wanted to go up a ladder (I won't), diversity would be a factor in my decision-making. Years ago, before I was even a tech, I worked at an HCA facility and all the corporate people were middle-aged white guys (note: I am not a white guy). Then I did some research on the company and found out that the HCA CEOs ended up Republican U.S. Senators (note: I am not a Republican). So I decided long ago that should I choose to go corporate, HCA was not the place for me. But since I'm not doing that route anyway, it's a moot issue. 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by caliotter3 3 Followers; 36,944 Posts; 98,059 Profile Views I started out working in long term care facilities and faced discrimination from the very beginning, until I left that venue, because I did not belong to the favored majority. As a matter of fact, before I took my first job as a CNA, the hiring/training manager made it a point to warn me about how I would be treated and why. I thought that was odd when it happened. At that point in time, and for a couple of reasons, I had not had contact with the majority who work in LTC in that area. How did I deal with it? I left long term care permanently. I entered a venue where I can take steps to avoid people who make my work life that difficult. And I also keep in mind that my work life would not be that difficult if any of the people up the chain would insure that discrimination and other negative behavior were not a factor in their facilities. You can't blame people for taking advantage of the circumstances made available to them. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by Sour Lemon Sour Lemon has 9 years experience. 3 Followers; 4,242 Posts; 30,619 Profile Views Where I work, everyone is Asian. There are a few other white people, but it's rare to see one working the same day and shift that I am. I can't say anything horrible has happened to me as a result. Is there some sort of actual problem, or are you just lonely? 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by Rionoir 545 Posts; 3,142 Profile Views Unless you are aware of a bunch of qualified minorities applying and being turned down I’m not sure what the actual problem is? Instead of thinking of it as a disadvantage, use it as an opportunity to stand out. 18 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by Ponymom2 Ponymom2 has 1 years experience. 41 Posts; 527 Profile Views Discrimination? Where the discrimination? What minority/majority/color/Creed/religion/gender/shirt color/hairstyle/shoe size?... Ain't seein' nuthin'.... Edited Aug 21 by Ponymom2 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by Asystole RN, BSN, RN Asystole RN is a BSN, RN and specializes in Vascular Access, Infusion Therapy. 2,242 Posts; 25,200 Profile Views "White" is a pretty loose term. I am a minority who currently lives in a Caucasian dominated area of the country but there are strong European roots. There are Germans, Norwegians, and some Irish. They take offense if they are pooled together because there are distinct cultural and heritage differences. I used to work in an area where there were a lot of Africans. The Africans HATED the term African American because they generally only thought those who are from or who still hold cultural ties to Africa should be called "African American." The Dominicans I worked hated being called African American because they were Dominican. Point is, painting a broad brush of "white" and assuming cultural or ethnic homogeneity is close to the same racism you fear. Look beyond the color of someone's skin and see them for the unique ethnocentric person they are. 30 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by thinbluelineRN, MSN, NP thinbluelineRN is a MSN, NP and specializes in Corrections, Public Health, Occupational Medicine. 59 Posts; 622 Profile Views "white" is not very descriptive. For example, mu husband, looks Caucasian but in actuality is Mexican American. So just because people look like a particular group of people does not mean they are. Also what discrimination are you referring to? 11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by beekee 1 Follower; 743 Posts; 7,106 Profile Views Ok, discrimination need not be overt to exist. If there are over 50 white employees and only one POC, chances are this isn’t an environment that’s accepting of POC. Being the only anything (woman, POC, LBGQT+, etc) is hard and uncomfortable. Sure, there are some areas of the US where this might be the norm because POC don’t live there. But as the OP, mentioned a pretty large corporation, it seems suspicious that the OP is the only POC. i have no words of wisdom for the OP, but I do get it. I wish you the best! (I wouldn’t ask the question in an open forum, FYI. I’ve been vocal in the past and people don’t like being told they are racists so it ends poorly for me, you know, the troublemaker). 25 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by LibraSunCNM, MSN LibraSunCNM has 10 years experience as a MSN and specializes in OB. 1,294 Posts; 25,285 Profile Views 51 minutes ago, beekee said: Sure, there are some areas of the US where this might be the norm because POC don’t live there. But as the OP, mentioned a pretty large corporation, it seems suspicious that the OP is the only POC. And south Florida is definitely NOT a racially homogenous area, that's for sure. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aug 21 by Nurse SMS, MSN, RN Nurse SMS has 8 years experience as a MSN, RN and specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development. 4 Followers; 6,030 Posts; 47,835 Profile Views Not seeing anyone that looks like you achieving things in your company can definitely impact your ability to envision yourself moving up. Perhaps seek out a more diverse employment situation? I recently was on an executive interview panel where I was the only white person at the table, including the job candidates. Diverse employers are out there. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites