Hello, everyone out there in the world of allnurses.com I just need to get something that's been bothering me for a while off of my chest. I just want to talk about this issue especially affecting minority nurses. And that issue is that it can be hard to be a nurse of color.
I am part Somoan/part African-American and consider myself Black for the most part. Well, I just feel that after all these years, minority nurses still don't get as much respect as their white colleagues.
Always being mistaken for for support staff even though my name tag boldly states who I am and my credentials. And I even feel that sometimes, patients feel insulted by me being their nurse. It seems like that when I first go into the patient's room, before I can introduce myself properly, they always assume I am a CNA. After I explain that I am their nurse, they seem to loose that "glow". It's like they don't want ME to be their nurse. And when a previous nurse that happens to be white reports how pleasant a patient was, I don't get that "pleasant" behavior from the same patient.
We as nurses know that patients can often be demanding, rude, and downright ridiculous with any nurse. But, to the minority nurses out there, do you sometimes feel that you are being treated with less respect because your a minority? Do you feel like you get treated differently from the other nurses by the same patient?
I don't even want to get into this, because I know someone somewhere would be offended.
But I have to wonder; there is a male nurse forum; there are forums for students, LPNs, all sorts of sub-professions, all sorts of geographical regions; if being a nurse of color is really such a big deal (as it appears to be), and if so many nurses of color welcome this thread of support (as they profess they do), why is there no forum dedicated to this?
Maybe instead of having a thread in general nursing discussion, which in my mind opens it up to everyone who wants to post, whether they want to support or debate or whatever, why not petition the site to open a "nurses of color" forum, to address issues that are unique to such nurses?
I just wanted to say that this post has definately expanded my education on discrimination. Prejudice and discrimination is a personal attitude - not just a product of the way someone is raised. You see, my father was the most racist, bigoted person I know (he was equal opportunity - he was prejudiced against black, japanese, jewish, italian, and the list goes on an on and on). I am glad that my children have not had that influence in their lives...our family is quite diverse. I will not say that I have never experienced a prejudiced moment, but I have tried to treat everyone the same and treat them as I would like to be treated. Prejudice comes in many forms - all of it hurtful. As for the race card - yes, I know people who live, breathe, and use it on a daily basis. I worked with a beautiful, inteligent, christian nurse that I admired - she had one flaw - she saw everything on the basis of color - even what seemed to be innocent (and probably was) was racially motivated. She seemed to be so consumed by this, it was heartbreaking. If she was spoken to by our supervisor regarding a complaint she would automatically say it was racially motivated. I often wondered what happened to make her feel that way all the time. None of us are perfect - we all make mistakes.
As for my take on equality - I believe that we will be one step closer to that when we lose the African-American, Latin-American, Italian-American labels and be what we are "Americans"
Specializes in Trauma,ER,CCU/OHU/Nsg Ed/Nsg Research.
As for my take on equality - I believe that we will be one step closer to that when we lose the African-American, Latin-American, Italian-American labels and be what we are "Americans"
I understand that you don't get why anyone of these ethnicities would label themselves as above, since you don't belong to any of these ethnic groups. To many who do belong to one of these groups (myself included), it denotes pride in one's heritage- on both sides of the hyphen. It's not a bad thing to be African-American, Latin-American, Italian-American, etc. It tells where one comes from, and where one is. We're a pluralistic society, and that's what makes America so great and unique. I think we can maintain some sort of ethnic identity, and still appreciate others. I don't subscribe to that whole 'I don't see race' thing. I obviously know my African-American friends are AA. I also know that they have a meaningful culture that belongs to them, that they are willing to share openly. Same with my Indian friends, etc. What a boring country it would be if everyone was the same. I think we can all get along without having to put blinders on. All it takes is a little mutual respect.
Racism is a fact of life. In a perfect world we would all get along but our world is far from perfect. I try to educate those who are different than I, and learn about those from other cultures. In my opinion racism is fear of the unknown and when the unknown becomes known there is more acceptance.
Racism goes beyond black and white. There is racism within ethnic groups (lighter skin vs darker skin AA), Dominican vs Puerto Rican, Canadian and French Canadian to name a few. Several Africans where I work despise African American and often do not associate with them. So as an African American I see racism as a global issue vs a local issue. It would be nice if we all could live harmoniously but it wont happen in my life time I am sure of that. I have made a concerted effort to understand some ones difference and accept them for who they are not where they come from.
Thank you for pointing out that racists exist in every group - even among those that outsiders might consider as being the same. Fortunately, there are good people in every group, too.
I don't even want to get into this, because I know someone somewhere would be offended.
But I have to wonder; there is a male nurse forum; there are forums for students, LPNs, all sorts of sub-professions, all sorts of geographical regions; if being a nurse of color is really such a big deal (as it appears to be), and if so many nurses of color welcome this thread of support (as they profess they do), why is there no forum dedicated to this?
Maybe instead of having a thread in general nursing discussion, which in my mind opens it up to everyone who wants to post, whether they want to support or debate or whatever, why not petition the site to open a "nurses of color" forum, to address issues that are unique to such nurses?
I see no problem with it if that's what people want but I wonder - what would the response be if a forum were opened up for White Nurses Only and their unique issues? This is a purely innocent question, just as I think the above poster's suggestion was innocent. I mean no disrespect to anyone so, please, no one take any.
This thread is not about an "us versus them" issue, Trudy. This thread is about the various difficulties faced by nurses of color. Additionally, not all people of color have this stereotypical "us versus them" mentality.
However, the abovementioned quote demonstrates that you might possess that "us versus them" manner of looking at the world.
the "us" is about the nurses of color who have come here to discuss their tribulations in the workplace.
those remaining, would be "them", whether they are white, asian, hispanic, etc.
us vs. them is specific to this thread.
i don't see it as divisive as you're implying.
perhaps i'm seeing it too literally with "us" being a specified group and "them" being everyone else.
i don't see the value in trying to create any ill-will.
leslie
I guess you're saying I tried to create ill will. Let me assure that I definitely did not try to do that. My life is difficult enough without trying to do that. And I think that this thread very definitely divides people into 2 groups, intentionally or not, with or without negativity implied or desired. We can, by virtue of the unchanging, innate race to which we each belong, only respond from 1
perspective - majority or minority. That does seem to make it a divisive topic.
Well, actually, for those who are of 2 or more races, that is not exactly so, is it? There's a new topic for us - the bi-racial or multi-racial nurses. What are their experiences like? I would like to know, if they don't mind sharing.
Sorry that you have, too, experienced discrimination as well. Yes, there have been times that I, too, maybe have taken things too seriously. But, more times than not, that wasn't the case. These people that do this know exactly what they are doing and they don't care. If they cared, they woudn't do it. And it's all because of this superiority complex some people have. It's just something that people need to stop and we don't need to accept even the smallest infraction.
And this is what I want to suggest. Call people on it when they say or do something that you think is disrespectful or shows racism or prejudice. Do not assume what their attitude is. Get it out in the open, talk it out, discuss it. Do not just accept it, ostensibly, then stew about it.
"Mary, I saw you roll your eyes when you learned I am your nurse. Why did you do that?"
"Doctor, you seem surprised that I am the RN. Were you? If so, why? Let me assure you that I am a graduate of ABC Nursing College and am duly licensed by this state, I have received the facility's orientation, and am fully willing to and capable of assisting you and caring for your patients. How may I help you?"
"Patient Smith, you say you don't want a black/colored/brown/Asian/Hispanic/Pacific Islander/Native American/male/homosexual/Jewish/Catholic/Protestant/Muslim/atheist/
other minority nurse. Why is that? It hurts my feelings a lot that you don't trust me enough to even give me a chance to show you what a caring and skilled, intelligent nurse I am. I want very much to help you. Will you allow me to do that? If you try it for a while and still don't like it, we can always get you a different nurse but please do give me a chance."
Call people on it in a courteous, confident way. If they respond positively, great. If not, keep on doing your thing and maybe they'll eventually come around. What else can you really do?
Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.
I too, like emsboss, am experiencing some prejudice. I am, and I kid you not, the ONLY Anglo working nurse in the city/country in which I am currently working. Suspicion, curiosity, doubt of ability, etc.,==I face routinely although it is getting a little better. I knew I was making some progress when a nursing leader asked me to "come again" after I had spoken to her group. However, the "proof is in the pudding" so I endeavor to demonstrate knowledge, professionalism, and grace in all circumstances. I want them to know that just because I'm white & American doesn't mean that I am rude, arrogant, and any other negative thing they can think of.
So, hang in there. Hold your head up. Carry yourself gracefully with humble pride in yourself & those who are not won over by you....well, they probably can't be by anyone!
Mods, if this thread is deleted i will have lost faith in the democracy of this board.
Just want to point out that this board is not now, nor has it ever pretended to be, a democracy. You have no first amendment rights in here. You have the right to adhere to the TOS.
I am a student. The moment someone asks me what my major is and I tell them nursing, their jaw instantly drops. I can read them by their expression and that burns me up. Now I have come to the realization that some people can be judgemental and not to worry about what others think. I have other things to think about than to worry about what someone thinks about me. One thing is for certain, I am going to be a nurse and I will have the same education as a white nurse. I can totally relate and I am sorry this is happening. I just say to myself the Lord made me in HIS image and out of HIS likeness.That is all that matters to me.
queenjean
951 Posts
I don't even want to get into this, because I know someone somewhere would be offended.
But I have to wonder; there is a male nurse forum; there are forums for students, LPNs, all sorts of sub-professions, all sorts of geographical regions; if being a nurse of color is really such a big deal (as it appears to be), and if so many nurses of color welcome this thread of support (as they profess they do), why is there no forum dedicated to this?
Maybe instead of having a thread in general nursing discussion, which in my mind opens it up to everyone who wants to post, whether they want to support or debate or whatever, why not petition the site to open a "nurses of color" forum, to address issues that are unique to such nurses?