Im am being harrassed at work possibly because of my race

ccjus123 · May 25, 2009

Hello did everyone read the posts properly?? The OP did say she overheard the nurses saying negative racist remarks about the patients. So even if they didn't say anything to her directly or indirectly - this still presents a hostile environment. To the OP your gut instinct is probably right. Even if you don't have any direct proof about the nurses talking about you or being racists towards you - you can still report their inappropriate remarks about patients to Human Resources. It's also possible for you to report it anonymously if you fear for backlash at the job.

Good luck with your job, and I agree with others that you should just try to get your experience and transfer out once the opportunity arises. Keep your business (your future endeavors) to yourself and move on!! - and yes like someone else said....when you speak about moving up by furthering your education - those that aren't on the same path usually tend to be resentful so more than likely won't be supportive.

-Best of Luck to you!!!

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 25, 2009

Hello did everyone read the posts properly?? The OP did say she overheard the nurses saying negative racist remarks about the patients. So even if they didn't say anything to her directly or indirectly - this still presents a hostile environment. To the OP your gut instinct is probably right. Even if you don't have any direct proof about the nurses talking about you or being racists towards you - you can still report their inappropriate remarks about patients to Human Resources. It's also possible for you to report it anonymously if you fear for backlash at the job.
Good luck with your job, and I agree with others that you should just try to get your experience and transfer out once the opportunity arises. Keep your business (your future endeavors) to yourself and move on!! - and yes like someone else said....when you speak about moving up by furthering your education - those that aren't on the same path usually tend to be resentful so more than likely won't be supportive.
-Best of Luck to you!!!

I was starting to wonder if somehow that part was made up in my head, because I surely read that the OP said the nurses keep making racist remarks. Let's see, if I am green, and the people I work with keep putting down green people, I think I might feel like they don't like me because of my race. HMMMMMMMM

To the OP, keep your head up high and don't let ANYONE determine your fate. Like other's have stated, do what you have to do, kill em with kindness. I myself have had to stand up to stereotypes, I am not only a minority, although for most of my life that per say hasn't been an issue because most people can't tell, but I was a teen mom. Constantly had to listen to the assumptions made, the derogatory comments and so on. I did my best to NOT fit the stereo types, one, it wasn't me anyway, but I loved being able to set some of the jerks straight!!!! (I especially love the comments when I would chime in and they would say, Oh no not you, but the others!)

APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP · May 25, 2009

Y'know what? Life is too short to work in a toxic work environment for 6 more months. There are plenty of other nursing environment that will provide you with ample exposure to what nurses do without setting a poor example for you to live up to.

If I were you, I would secretly look for employment elsewhere. You are the only one who is able to assess the situation and decide whether or not a visit to Human Resources will provide the desired results or not.

Usually, when the manager is participating in the negative behavior, the problems runs pretty darn deep.

Imagine yourself in a better environment, and then strive to make it a reality. There really are good places to work out there, and one is waiting for you to find it.

NaomieRN · May 25, 2009

You cannot allowed anyone to determine your future. If nursing is for you, go for it! That one place of employment should not decide your future goal.

gonzo1, ASN, RN · May 25, 2009

There are nice places to work and toxic places to work. It sounds like you landed in the toxic one.

I was told by many people that I wasn't smart enough or motivated enough to be a nurse. I just kept plodding along 1 class at a time and before I knew it I was an RN. Now I am a travel ER nurse. I surprised the heck out of a lot of people. That's the best part.

If you can get done with the education to be an NP there will be many opportunities for you all over. A lot of institutions are decreasing MD usage and using more NPs and PAs as a cost reduction.

I have worked at places where everyone was white, and places where there was a huge mix of nationalities. You are not limited because of your race.

Keep your dreams to your self, do the job and school and collect your revenge by living a great life

neatnurse30 · May 25, 2009

I always have the feeling that minority groups are the ones that are the first to judge and are intolerant and prejudiced. And I dont like all this nonsense about racism. Just because you are minority you expect other people to glorify you? And if things don't go your way or other people just ignore you, it always seems to be the easiest to pretend to be a victim of racism.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 25, 2009

I am sorry to hear this is happening. If you are, in fact, hearing racist remarks and feel this is a hostile work enviornment, I would listen to the advice mentioned here and not tell them my personal aspirations. Most people become intimidated when they see that people are attempting to reach to and above their level (because you see what they are really made of, and many times, it is crap). They may try to block your path in sneaky ways.

I would also secretly seek for another place to work, even if it is just a transfer. Now, I also tell everyone to look into themselves to see if they are too sensitive, or if somehow they contributed to the current situation. This is not to say that you have, but, each experience you have should be have a lesson in store. Maybe begin to speak to them, kill them with a bit of kindness and see what happens; if you discover that you have been a bit sensitive. But, I have to say, I have experienced situations where I was spoken to in a condescending manner, have had a few racial comments 'innocently' made, etc... It is not a comfortable feeling. This is why I perfer to work in a facility that is more diverse and have been fortunate enough to have worked in places that were for at least the past 18 years...we have other issues, but racism is not one of them.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 25, 2009

I always have the feeling that minority groups are the ones that are the first to judge and are intolerant and prejudiced. And I dont like all this nonsense about racism. Just because you are minority you expect other people to glorify you? And if things don't go your way or other people just ignore you, it always seems to be the easiest to pretend to be a victim of racism.

Where did the OP mention anything that can relate to glorifying herself? Not all minority persons are intolerant or prejudiced.

lunden · May 25, 2009

pagandeva i have 2 agree with u on this one. i hate it when one minority says something about racism and all of a sudden a non minority starts talking about minorities needing 2 b "glorified". i will admit there are some minorities who will start screaming "racism" when that isn't the case at all. but not "all" minorities think that way. my problem is just because she wrote that post does not mean every minority thainks that way or every minority wants to be glorified becuz that is not the case at all. now like i said earlier it def. did not sound like racism to me or harrassment even if she heard her coworkers making racist comments to the pts. i'm sure we all at one point has said something out of character to someone of another race but that does not make that person a racist. i for one hate being grouped up with someone of my own race just becuz they may have said something stupid. my son is mixed and both my brothers date outside of their race so i see things from both sides of the fence on a daily basis.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 25, 2009

pagandeva i have 2 agree with u on this one. i hate it when one minority says something about racism and all of a sudden a non minority starts talking about minorities needing 2 b "glorified". i will admit there are some minorities who will start screaming "racism" when that isn't the case at all. but not "all" minorities think that way. my problem is just because she wrote that post does not mean every minority thainks that way or every minority wants to be glorified becuz that is not the case at all. now like i said earlier it def. did not sound like racism to me or harrassment even if she heard her coworkers making racist comments to the pts. i'm sure we all at one point has said something out of character to someone of another race but that does not make that person a racist. i for one hate being grouped up with someone of my own race just becuz they may have said something stupid. my son is mixed and both my brothers date outside of their race so i see things from both sides of the fence on a daily basis.

I am a minority myself; African American. And, for sure, there are plenty in my race as well as others that scream the race card every chance they get, but this is NOT everyone. In addition, reading the original post did not make me believe that the OP was trying to be glorified. It may have been that she was too sensitive (who knows?) or needed to dissect the situation to see if the actions are racist at all or see if she is being prudish, but to lump everyone into that same catagory is wrong and that is the post I was responding to...do not generalize or stereotype. And, what I teach my son to do is to not fall into the stereotype. To do the best he can do, do not feel that anything is owed to him and keep up with the same requirements that the rest have to do...no exceptions. I would rather be accepted on my own merit than simply because of my minority status.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · May 25, 2009

I always have the feeling that minority groups are the ones that are the first to judge and are intolerant and prejudiced. And I dont like all this nonsense about racism. Just because you are minority you expect other people to glorify you? And if things don't go your way or other people just ignore you, it always seems to be the easiest to pretend to be a victim of racism.

WOW Seriously??? If you don't think racism occurs then you are living in a bubble, it very much occurs, I have seen it first hand so many times and it's far from pretend. The OP was more then ignored, she was constantly hearing racist comments.

Many people like to pretend that racism and discrimination no longer exists. IT DOES and probably always will.

I am in a minority group, because of the life I had growing up, I am one of the last people to judge others on countless things, I am very open minded, and not the least bit prejudiced, Thank you very much!

carlasbizz · May 25, 2009

Wow, your situation is simliar to mine. I work as a PCA in an oncology unit. I am a older pre-nursing student, single mom of eight and wanting to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner. Although, I have been on this unit for over two years i am getting extremely burnt out. I am currently looking for another job, but with the economy the way it is it has been real diffcult. Yesterday I worked a 12 hour shift. My units cenus was low, so I flowed to another unit (ICU). I had all the patients to myself. The unit only has one PCA per shift. I was extremely overwhelmed by the amount of work. :eek: I kept telling myself, maybe nursing is not for me. I am in my last quarter of my pre-nursing and have already got a spot for the January 2010 WGU program. I don't know what to do. I have spent many years trying to battle a dead beat dad in court plus trying to finish my pre-nursing requirements and also trying to keep a job that I just don't like. I have always had a love for Nursing. I get many cards:redbeathe on that unit from my patients. The nurses get so upset about this. I took care of my mother the last days of her life. I treat every patient as if they were my mother or father. I reap the rewards in doing this with cards from the patients and even invitation out to dinner (i never accept). I love nursing, i do occassionally work with Nurses that our outstanding, but I get a lot more who are not, so the bad out weighs the good. I just don't know anymore i work so hard to get where I am at. I cried yesterday just thinking about all the sacrifices that I have made and continue to make for my family to once have a chance to fulfill a dream I have had for most of my childhood . The pressures that I get from my co-workers is not the only constant problem, but I am also concern with my health. I worked a 12 hour shift yesterday and my feet were constantly burning @ the bottom. I never had this problem when I started almost 2 years ago. I couldn't stand and was forcing my body to stand much, when I got home I was in so much pain. I don't know. I don't know. Thanks so much for your posting. I am glad I am not the only one going through this. Carla