higher standard

[pill149]

I consider myself to be an adept professional who delivers high quality care. Now I'm not perfect and will be the first to admit it but I learn and move on. That said..it is difficult to always be on. I can never do anything wrong no matter what. Nurses of color are scrutinized more closely than white nurses. I have witnessed sloppy nursing practice almost every day.But as soon as one of my nurse peers of color leaves her computer on in the well concealed nurses station, or if another document's his cares an hour after he completes it, they are quickly and almost vehemently admonished. Demerits add up come review time. One crazy day, an agency nurse ( who's been on this floor several times) was asked to pass a medication he wasn't familiar with..he spoke with the charge who explained the process to him. She seemed okay with it until I heard her call the agency expressing concerns about this nurse's practice. This was her first time working with him, so I was surprised that she would say this. I have observed her giving helping white agency nurses with relatively simple tasks..but they seem to be held to a different standard...this sucks! We love what we to and love caring for patients....we work hard and are available to help...so why are we being squeezed out by silliness? What are we supposed to do?

[Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B]

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Nurses of color are scrutinized more closely than white nurses.

As a black female nurse, I think the close scrutiny is highly dependent upon the facility, unit or floor on which you work, as well as the overall workplace culture.

I can assuredly say that up to this point I've been able to get away with bloody murder at my current place of employment. I don't go above and beyond, yet I've received a promotion and some pay increases due to my low-keel personality.

If you are working in the wrong unit under the wrong supervisors and nurse managers, then yes, you will be scrutinized more closely than your Caucasian counterparts. Good luck to you.

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

I agree that sometimes we are held to a different standard. I take it as a challenge and I feel that it makes me a better clinician because I am always on my toes..

[heron, ASN, RN]

There are those who believe that any worker of color must be sub-par because "affirmative action" and civil rights protections require that they not be held to the same standard as "normal" (code for white) workers. What you describe in the OP is a classic example of confirmation bias.

This wrong-headedness is happily encouraged by managers who are too lazy or poorly educated to deal with workers who really are sub-par.

I agree with PPs that the phenomenon is not universal. Depending on how bad it is there, you may have to decide if this hill is worth dying on.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

There are those who believe that any worker of color must be sub-par because "affirmative action" and civil rights protections require that they not be held to the same standard as "normal" (code for white) workers.

Bingo. I've listened as people concluded that educated professionals of color are "quota clowns" who must not really know what they are doing. It is a sad state of affairs.

[pill149]

Thanks to all that commented. I get great reviews from patient satisfaction questionnaires as well as a few kind words from random physicians...I did well in orientation and am always looking for new experiences...my coworkers like me okay.i do everything by the book, they call me SGT Strack! This is funny cuz I'm quite chill but not with my practice...I see others short cut all the time but know if I do or other nurses of color.. we will be on the watch list..all I'm saying is that it sucks to alwaysnbe looking over ones shoulder...doubting oneself while being fabulous nurse I was hired to be and my patients deserve...

[Libby1987]

I'm pretty naive to these things but could your excellent standards be what's threatening to them versus your race/ethnicity?

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Nurses who strive to do everything correctly are a threat to those nurses who have become lax in practice and attempt to cut corners.

And when the patients and MD's start noticing excellent practice, even more so.

Which has not a thing to do with color.

Diversity in many facilities means that managers actively recruit outside of the US for nurses, all in the name of being "hip" to taking credit for supporting a diverse culture. Actually, I find said nurses to be able to be paid less, hence the push for foreign nurses.

OP, it may just be that people are looking over your shoulder because of what you do well. If your practice is such that you are completing your assignments, you are on top of patient's needs, and do it all with a smile on your face--that is a huge thing for other nurses to learn how you do it, when so many are drowning in too many patients and not enough time. You may have become a role model, and not even realized it.

As far as the agency nurse--yes, we all know things, not know things--however, not knowing one's resources outside of asking charge is huge. Honestly, if charge was not available, would the med have been given? Just winging it? Make it up as one goes along?

And the computer thing--Yup every day the compliance police are rounding and "catching" people with computers on--well concealed or not. Takes just one person to bring up some sort of record, some sort of website under your log in--and YOU get in trouble, not the person who actually did the searching. Unscrupulous nurses (or ward clerks, or CNA's) who want to say look at their BF's medical history or something lay in wait for someone to walk away from a logged on computer. Or to check on their social media....so it has become a huge compliance issue everywhere.

Discrimination is real, it happens, it is frustrating and wrong. But you do yourself and your practice a disservice by subscribing to the notion that it exists exclusively.

[pill149]

@jadelpn and @ libby1987

WOW! thank you....i know i need to keep that in mind...so I WILL!!