Nursing, No Longer A White Woman's Job?

Nurses General Nursing

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Discussion overheard at lunch today: ER RN (white female) "discussing" her opinion with Respiratory Therapist (white, male) and EMT (black, male) that within 10-years white women will no longer be in the majority as far as bedside nursing goes. Her argument was that women have more opportunities to go into other professions than when she was young (guessing she's in her late 50's) and that since we are importing nurses from "third-world countries" no white woman will be a bedside RN in the future. EMT agreed and said that it's not just white women, that he wouldn't want his daughter or son to be a RN. The RT kept quiet and continued to eat his tuna sandwich.

So, I wonder, do any others of you feel that way? That is, that women (white, black, brown, etc) in America have more opportunities, more career choices now than ever before; and that the nursing profession will become the immigrant's first job in America?

I am not offended by this thread. I am weary that in this day and age medical professionals still see things in black and white. I am not offended by anything related to race - I've lived it all my life, I've been affected by it all my life. BUT IT DOES NOT RULE MY LIFE OR MY PROFESSION.

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Specializes in Adult internal med, OB/GYN, REI..

*dizzy and spinny from trying to avoid all the dancing feet*

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Originally posted by SKM-NURSIEPOOH

....I merely spoke-out for those individuals whom are being slammed by talking about or venting about some of their racial experiences on other threads....I'm just sad & disappointed on how some people in this noble profession can be so narrow minded & want to stop others who want to vent about racism & how it affects them on their nursing jobs (& I don't need to point out who...they know who they are).

No disrespect, SKM, but if you can show me one thread on this board where there was a positive exchange all the way through where there was no name calling and unnecessary bickering on a race issue I could agree with you. But, it's always reduced to that. Why?

I have NO problem discussing the issues IF posters could "come correct" instead of generalizing. I'm sure quite a few of the "old timers" wouldn't mind sharing their knowledge and what has helped them to face adversity if there wasn't so much "these old white women..these Filipina people..these ungrateful foreigners...you're not a minority so YOU DON'T KNOW" stuff wasn't presented so callously. In fact, quite a few have attempted to do so in other threads but again, it's reduced to sophomoric silliness and immaturity, in my opinion. Indeed, it is sad and disappointing to see how we in this noble profession display that kind of behavior in a public forum.

But, like you said, if this behavior on a thread is seen - which it is, over & over & over & over again, those who don't appreciate it can stay silent. :cool:

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Originally posted by Rustyhammer

You know, I'm getting just a LITTLE BIT TIRED of reading and addressing race issues on the BB.

I don't feel it serves a productive purpose and I feel it's silly to even bring it up!

Lets move on people!!

-Russell

rusty, thx

hey, las vegas.....beautiful lady and girl...........

and onto this ugly thing called why races should divide us.......i say bunk........

btw......micro is very pale......as seen in her pic..........

hey, cool all more and more of us are coming on with all out beauty..........oh, what a part we play with this humanity ting we got goin' on...............

love to all and peace

micro

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Specializes in Obstetrics, M/S, Psych.

I never saw this as being focused on race. Did some of the senior people here read something into it because of earlier posts somewhere? Not sure, but I do agree that the composition of nurses will keep changing. We simply don't get paid very well for our college degrees and young white women, who have been the predominent make up of those in our nursing schools, are directing their career efforts in other directions. So, yes, others will become the nurses. It's not about race, it's about economics. It makes easy sense to choose a profession where you can start out making 60k a year for your bacalaureate degree over one that pays about half that. It's a shift that has occured in other industries and is now happening in nursing.

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Specializes in LTC/Peds/ICU/PACU/CDI.
originally posted by lasvegasrn

no disrespect, skm, but if you can show me one thread on this board where there was a positive exchange all the way through where there was no name calling and unnecessary bickering on a race issue i could agree with you. but, it's always reduced to that. why?

i have no problem discussing the issues if posters could "come correct" instead of generalizing. i'm sure quite a few of the "old timers" wouldn't mind sharing their knowledge and what has helped them to face adversity if there wasn't so much "these old white women. these filipina people. these ungrateful foreigners...you're not a minority so you don't know" stuff wasn't presented so callously. in fact, quite a few have attempted to do so in other threads but again, it's reduced to sophomoric silliness and immaturity, in my opinion. indeed, it is sad and disappointing to see how we in this noble profession display that kind of behavior in a public forum.

but, like you said, if this behavior on a thread is seen - which it is, over & over & over & over again, those who don't appreciate it can stay silent. :cool:

...your point regarding how these types of thread turning either silly or ugly. and i do understand why some people are "tired" of that type of behavior...that's why i'm saddened by some of the dismissive responses that i've seen...true, this type of discussion can evoke passionate responses...and some have been filled with so much venom & discord. that kind of anger really do need to be properly vented & then discussed with the hopes of some type of healing as a result.

thank you lasvegasrn:kiss for assisting me in what i was trying to relay.

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Again, not reality only perception. I will agree nursing has brought more opportunities for women from all walks of life. And some women of different ethnic groups whether they are black, white, asian or hispanic are seeking a higher degree. I work with many nurses and see all different sizes, color, shapes of women in nursing. So in knowing that I don't agree with that statement. I also notice some people comments about beating the dead horse then why on earth do you respond to such threads if it bothers thee? I don't exactly agree with some threads so I don't participate. As long as we live in a society of diversity this topic of culture, race is not going away. It is time we as a people of the human race start tolerating each other, period!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I too gotta agree that this thread doesn't serve any useful purpose. Please, moderators...close it. Thanks.

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
originally posted by lasvegasrn

i am not offended by this thread. i am weary that in this day and age medical professionals still see things in black and white. i am not offended by anything related to race - i've lived it all my life, i've been affected by it all my life. but it does not rule my life or my profession.

gorgeous little one next to ya there 'mom'! :)

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originally posted by cheerfuldoer

gorgeous little one next to ya there 'mom'! :)

thanks! love my baby girl. well, okay, she's not a baby anymore but she's still my baby girl! :D

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ditto to the beauty of the little one.........lasvegas rn

race, why must it be a race?

micro just asks!!!!!!!!!

love and peace to all

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Specializes in ER.

Hey, I'm tired about talking about race but obviously there are some people that still have issues. They have every right to discuss it as long as they are respectful to each other.

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