WARNING: This is a controversial topic. Some readers may object to the viewpoints to be posted within. If you are one that cannot tolerate controversy, you have the right to not read this thread. Otherwise, all viewpoints are welcome.
Hello, this is Olive Vines here. I have been wanting to post a thread on this topic for a while. However, I have postponed doing that until now.
My observation is one that many minority nurses can relate too. Especially minorties in small southern towns such as the one I reside in. Here we go.
It seems to me that non-white, non-female nurses have the hardest time getting a job outside of acute care facilities. I live in a small town that is about an hour away from a metropolitan area. I have noticed that when it comes to needing nurses, a lot of physician offices, healthcare clinics, schools seem to overlook equally qualified minority nurses. I am including male nurses as being a minority because that is what they are in this profession.
When I take my daughter or accompany my mother to the doctor's or dentist's office, the staff is 9 times out of 10, overwhelmingly caucasian. But on the other hand, you go to any hospital and you will find that black females abd male nurses account for a large percentage of staff in those areas. We all know that non-acute care can be stressful, but not as near as stressful as primary care or any other branch of nursing. I see this strange trend in long term care facilities as well.
The only places where I have seen the exception is in large metropolitan areas where white people do not tend to reside. And I see a lot of black and male nurses relocating to Birmingham and Atlanta to get top notch jobs because the opportunities have been denied in small cities such as where I live. And while most of the jobs they garner happen to be in acute care facilities in those large cities, there seems to be more job satisfaction for some reason.
And while I'm on the topic. I also have noticed that I have better nights when most of my patients are African-American. Those patients tend to be less demanding of my time and take me more seriously as a health-care provider. But, on the other hand, when I have white patients, especially older white males, I see myself being ran up and down the hall for the non-essential things. And also, I get a lot of lip from the patient as to what they are NOT going to do or what medicine they are NOT going to take until they talk to their doctor. But, hold it right there, here's the kicker. When a nurse, who happens to be white, has had that same patient before, they seem not get that same attitude or disrespect from that same patient. They get a very nice, compliant patient while I put up with crap from them.
And one last thing, and this is just a personal vent: I am so tired of being mistaken for Environmental Services, Dietary or the PCA by white patients. And this is all while I have my namebadge that has RN, BSN on it. That's a big pet peeve of mine.
Now, I welcome any viewpoints on this topic because I feel it needs to be addressed. With a nursing shortage, why be so picky? Why do minorities have to be destined to work in acute care while white female nurses can have their pick and choose? And why aren't male nurses as accepted by older patients as female nurses are? And before I get bashed and called out for being prejudiced against whites, let me just say, my father is white so that pretty much kills that notion. I just call it like I see it and what I experience. What do you all think? I welcome all with open arms and I promise, I will not be offended by anything you say.
discrimination is every where, it's an ugly monster that hides within everyone. no one is free from it. why? because discrimination is nothing more than fear. fear of the unknown culture, person, belief, or change. it continues to strive, because we choose to pretend it doesn't exist. we have all at one time or another experienced it, and have even practiced it. it will continue to be a part of our lives, until we admit that; and change. but my fear is not for "us," but for the generations to come. instead of arguing "who's" got it worse, lets argue how "we" can amend it.
i for one, have experienced discrimination and prejudice in many forms, being hispanic and italian. but, i'm not innocent either, i have caught myself many times, doing the same to others. i admit, i once assumed those with accents some how were less intelligent than me. when in reality, they were much smarter than i was. i've been turned down for jobs, because i don't speak a "certain language" that is over whelmingly used in that facility. i assume it's prejudice, yet i chose to only tutor spanish speaking students over english speaking. because for some reason, i felt they were more in need. and even now, in my job, i catch myself being "nicer" to those who are "underprivileged," because that was my up bringing. which means what, the kid from harvard doesn't deserve a back rub. it's just ridiculous. if there is one thing i've learned, its you have to start with yourself, and hope others will follow your example. for those of you who have experienced such hate and ignorance, my heart goes out to you, just please don't stoop to there level.
"in a perfect world, people would be judged based on their actions, knowledge and attitude towards others; and, not on the color of their skin, wealth, sexuality, or belief. prejudice and ignorance would be a description only of the past. discrimination and hate, would no longer be known to our children. the term "melting pot," would be referred to as a blend of beautiful cultures, and acceptance of multiple religions, - in a perfect world."
I've dealt with it in an odd form about a month ago. I almost posted a thread about it, but then decided it would be a flame war, because peopel would interpret it in their own way.
A (now former) friend of mine made a remark at dinner that any white girl he dated (he's white) was self-centered, after money, and needy, which is why he said he didn't date them, and dated black girls instead, and would only date black girls. THEN made the remark that white girls gave him crap over it and they were racists.
I'm looking at him in disbelief and said "So in other words, you're choosing to date a specific race because ANOTHER race is racist and stereotypes others? So in other words, you're a hypocrite, and definitely not the person i thought you were." I wound up breaking off the friendship. I didn't want a friend like that. It wasn't the interracial aspect that i had a problem with, but his reasoning for doing it.
Marie, your friend's attitude is very funny. He should talk to my black male friends who date white women because they say, the black women they've dated were self-centered, gold-diggers, who were too needy and bossy. To me, if you're comfortable with your life choices, why put down a whole group of people to justify them.
Where I work the RN's are 90% Philippino and at night, I'm the only "token white girl" on my unit. They talk in their language to each other so who knows what they say. Anyway, I don't live in the south and couldn't. I see your point and I would really suggest you at least move to a "blue state" where things are a bit more socially progressive. I unfortunationally don't either and I've even noticed discrimination- against males, blacks, Philippino's sometimes, even whites. People that are racist are not usually friendly, positive people- period. I've worked with some Agency black male RN's and they seem to do okay (maybe they just don't say anything) and we do get Agency black (and white) male CNA's. (We have a lot of Agency). I've had people request someone else to care for them/bathe them and the thing is, I'm overworked as it is- usually don't get a lunch, so I just tell them okay- but you won't get a bed bath or sheet changed, or fresh water and juice, and if you need a bed pan- hold it till morning when someone else comes on. In other words, NOW is the time to GET OVER IT. I can't change people's antiqued attitutes but I will not enable them. If they won't take their meds from you or what not, I would just write REFUSED. And that of course would include pain meds. The thing is people like that need to just get over themselves and realize this is not NOT 1950 anymore and they are lucky to have a nurse at all with today's greedy coorporations. Also, IN GENERAL, I have noticed black and hispanic patients are much less demanding and "needy" than White's and Asians. I have nothing against any of those people, but that's just my observation from MY experiences in MY location.
Thank you for addressing this issue.
You're very welcome and thank you for your response. I really like the nerve of some patients that have the nerve to be prejudiced against the only people are want to care for them. I don't know what they will do when no one is there. I bet they'll take any nurse that comes along. I am so with you on this. They really need to get a life and get over that petty thing called racism. It's getting old and unlike yesteryear, people dont' have to put up with it. And it is going to change because I intend to be one that stands on the forefront of equality for all.
Hi. I live in St. Petersburg. There are racial problems here, and blacks are a smaller minority than I'm used to after living in Atlanta and North Carolina. Unfortunately it's not without problems, as we've had unrest with rioting after a white cop killed a black teen in the midst of a crime. The racism works both with ways with some blacks being a bit mistrustful and prejudiced against the white. Sometimes it takes me all day to win over a black patient and their family, because they think because they are black I don't care as much about their loved one's needs. (However, the hospital I work is the hosipital of choice for the black community). Just being honest.
However, I live in a part of town (the only mixed neighborhood in the city/county) that is very mixed where black and white live side by side, solidly middle class, united in common community goals and it's quite peaceful.
It is long time we set aside race as a barrier to health care providers advancing in our profession.
Personally, while I love the South with my heart and soul, you couldn't pay me enough money to live in a small town in the South.
Good luck to you in all that you do.
Is that St. Petersburg, FL?
I'm so sorry that some black people prejudge you based on their experiences with other people. It is so hard not to be prejudiced. Everyone is prejudiced to some extent. We all prejudge, but it's how you act on those prejudices that leads to the racism. I am so glad that you are surrounding by people that are not small-minded and stuck in their ways. I think that I am going to end up moving on along to a place where there is more acceptance. It saddens me to do so because I have always been the activist/liberal type that stands in the face of adversity. I believe in people being able to live their life as God intended. And He intended for us all to partake and be happy on His planet. I hope that it can be manifested one day.
Personally, while I love the South with my heart and soul, you couldn't pay me enough money to live in a small town in the South.
QUOTE]
I have had the opportunity to live in Miami, Frankfurt, Athens, Charlotte, Washington D.C., Trenton N.J., and a couple of small towns in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Race relations are MUCH worst in larger cities. Give me the true South ANYDAY.
And if you don't like the South- then kiss my grits ya'll:chair: - (Joke here please no flames.)
I do think that this whole country needs to open its eyes. But while racism exist in all corners of the world, I think it's not as overt in other places as it is in the smaller towns. And covert racism is not any better. Remember in history we learned of de jure ( I think that's right) and de facto segregation back in the 1960s. How segregation and racism was so rampant in the South and it was even legalized. While in the North, it wasn't a legal segregation, but people separated themselves by choice.
I hope to break the cycle in my generation by bringing up topics such as this and having us discuss it. Racism and hate will not go away if we ignore it. It is good to talk about it and get it out in the open. We all need to know our differences and learn to live harmoniously with them. It's good to hear from you and your post are always appreciated.
I work in a 26-bed Adult critical care unit-Our staff looks like the UN-Over 50% of our staff is "non-white" (whatever that remark means-personally, I'm kind of peachy-tan)-and we have quite a few men (of all nationalities)-it is really wonderful to be around so many different cultures and ways of thinking. I guess it depends on where you work, live, opportunities and peoples' career choices. I feel uncomfortable about this because I have never seen people as a "race" or "minority" or anything other than-"Hey, there's Dahlia, she's really nice" or "Hey there's Tom, he's not very friendly, but whatever."
That really sounds wonderful. I feel the same way. The best friends I could ever have happens to be white. But we accept each other and the differences we have. We learn a lot from each other and we both grow. My children are her "niece" and "nephew". I wish we can all put an end to ethnic classifications and just be Americans. But just when the sun starts to shine, sure enough, racism will rear its ugly head. But, we can change it for future generations.
I have to agree in large part with Motrocycle mama. But also add to that males aren't typically drawn to office nursing, to slow, no trauma, not glamourous enough, whathave you. Is there still racism? Damn skippy. Only now it's more insidious, like someone said earlier if you don't use the N-word then you are not raciest, by the way isn't saying the "N-word" just as offensive as the say the actual word? I mean we all know what it means, right? So it's just the same. Sorry I digress. As to your patients with the BA. Just as your grandfather still has fear in his heart:crying2: the intorlerant is still lodged in the southern white boys. My grandfather was an intollerant white boy I guess because he didn't know any better. I just blow those people off and pitty their life. I have been the subject of overt racism, in korea. Only the cops didn't hassle me because they would have had to get a translator, and it was more trouble than it was worth in their eyes I guess. My heart goes out to you dude, but perservire(sp?)(when will they put spell check on this thing:uhoh3: ) I can't tell you I know how you feel because I was only in the korea situation for 6 months and could leave anytime I wanted to, so it doesn't count really. As far as having foriegner employers go, in most of their countries racism is more overt, So don't expect fair treatment based on that fact alone. Anyway Nurse, just keep going forward, try to enlighten as you go, but don't waste the time and energy on those that refuse to see your light. Later Gator Tim
Tim, thank you vey much. I'm sorry that you experienced ignorance as well. I am praying everyday that the Lord guide my thoughts. I guess my feelings are just hurt right now. I guess my head is up in the clouds thinking that I can change the world. I will just pray that I can move on and focus on the future. Again, thank you so very much.
I just want to chime in and say that this is a very enlightened and respectful discussion
about a highly inflammatory subject. It's just so sad that it still needs to be discussed.
I'm so glad that so many people have been so encouraging. I really felt tha this needed to be talked about. I just have been so blue lately. I felt that something good could come out of my experiences. I know the the composition of nurses are rapidly changing with more male and minority nurses coming into the field. Sooner or later, this topic would be a factor in somebody's life. Thank you for your input.
I have never seen discrimination based on race until I have moved to a small Texas city. I have lived in Europe my whole life and I did not know why people were asking me, how my parents reacted to my marriage to my (wonderfull) black husband. My family never seen him as black. They have only seen him as American. I am really getting tired of all the negative comments I hear in this small town about different races. I have already told my husband, as soon as I graduate I plan to move up North. People just seem to be more open minded there. Sorry for my frustration, but all of this is coming from a girl who has seen racism for the first time 6 years ago, when moving to Texas. And I just don't get it!
I'm so sorry to hear this. My father wasn't married to my mother, but they lived together for a long time. We got looks when we were out together and it made me very uncomfortable as a young child. It is indeed unfortunate that some people can't just let you live. I hope you can go to a place where you don't have to put up with that.
discrimination is every where, it's an ugly monster that hides within everyone. no one is free from it. why? because discrimination is nothing more than fear. fear of the unknown culture, person, belief, or change. it continues to strive, because we choose to pretend it doesn't exist. we have all at one time or another experienced it, and have even practiced it. it will continue to be a part of our lives, until we admit that; and change. but my fear is not for "us," but for the generations to come. instead of arguing "who's" got it worse, lets argue how "we" can amend it.
i for one, have experienced discrimination and prejudice in many forms, being hispanic and italian. but, i'm not innocent either, i have caught myself many times, doing the same to others. i admit, i once assumed those with accents some how were less intelligent than me. when in reality, they were much smarter than i was. i've been turned down for jobs, because i don't speak a "certain language" that is over whelmingly used in that facility. i assume it's prejudice, yet i chose to only tutor spanish speaking students over english speaking. because for some reason, i felt they were more in need. and even now, in my job, i catch myself being "nicer" to those who are "underprivileged," because that was my up bringing. which means what, the kid from harvard doesn't deserve a back rub. it's just ridiculous. if there is one thing i've learned, its you have to start with yourself, and hope others will follow your example. for those of you who have experienced such hate and ignorance, my heart goes out to you, just please don't stoop to there level.
"in a perfect world, people would be judged based on their actions, knowledge and attitude towards others; and, not on the color of their skin, wealth, sexuality, or belief. prejudice and ignorance would be a description only of the past. discrimination and hate, would no longer be known to our children. the term "melting pot," would be referred to as a blend of beautiful cultures, and acceptance of multiple religions, - in a perfect world."
i have to admit, i had a huge problem with people in the upper socioeconomic bracket for a long time. i guess it had to do more with envy than anything. i attended a college prep school one time and found that the discrimination i faced was more socioeconomic than racial. if you didn't have money, you didn't matter. i think mistreatment of anyone is a bad thing. i applaude you for being so open about yourself. i wish you love and peace.
I have to admit, I had a huge problem with people in the upper socioeconomic bracket for a long time. I guess it had to do more with envy than anything. I attended a college prep school one time and found that the discrimination I faced was more socioeconomic than racial. If you didn't have money, you didn't matter. I think mistreatment of anyone is a bad thing. I applaude you for being so open about yourself. I wish you love and peace.
Interesting you should mention social class. I can have a hard time, if I'm feeling vulnerable, around people who have had economic advantages my kids or I haven't had. I've been around lots of these folks lately in school. It's so easy to feel inferior or bad about oneself in comparison -- like, being confronted with what I haven't been able to accomplish with my life, so I'm a failure of sorts. I also fall on the radical marxist - feminist side of the political spectrum, so that's how I deal with socioeconomic inequality -- analyze the power lines that run through the class and gender structures of capitalism and figure out how to change things. The Left in this country is in disarray right now, even the Democrats are useless, so this activity doesn't get very far.
I grew up in Texas and was quite familiar with gender bias, homophobia, and racism, even as a white girl. You couldn't pay me enough to live south of the Mason-Dixon line. Then I moved to Chicago to raise my kids there, and discovered racism and homophobia in the health care profession amongst all races. California had the nicest nurses with the least amount of homophobia and racism. Now I live in an alleged blue state in New England, but the hospital I work in is Catholic and full of some of the most judgemental, conservative, homophobic and racist white nurses I've ever worked with. I keep my mouth shut, of course, on political, religious, and cultural issues, and they will not find out from me I'm a lesbian and support reproductive choice. These witches would ride me out on a rail, and they may start doing it anyway. My unit requires we ask pts if they are "married," to establish paternity, they say. I have never worked anyplace like this in my life and don't know how much longer I'll last, but I suspect all the other hospitals in this state are like this one. I figure I'm getting payback for my lovely stay in California.
DSplendid
112 Posts
discrimination is every where, it's an ugly monster that hides within everyone. no one is free from it. why? because discrimination is nothing more than fear. fear of the unknown culture, person, belief, or change. it continues to strive, because we choose to pretend it doesn't exist. we have all at one time or another experienced it, and have even practiced it. it will continue to be a part of our lives, until we admit that; and change. but my fear is not for "us," but for the generations to come. instead of arguing "who's" got it worse, lets argue how "we" can amend it.
i for one, have experienced discrimination and prejudice in many forms, being hispanic and italian. but, i'm not innocent either, i have caught myself many times, doing the same to others. i admit, i once assumed those with accents some how were less intelligent than me. when in reality, they were much smarter than i was. i've been turned down for jobs, because i don't speak a "certain language" that is over whelmingly used in that facility. i assume it's prejudice, yet i chose to only tutor spanish speaking students over english speaking. because for some reason, i felt they were more in need. and even now, in my job, i catch myself being "nicer" to those who are "underprivileged," because that was my up bringing. which means what, the kid from harvard doesn't deserve a back rub. it's just ridiculous. if there is one thing i've learned, its you have to start with yourself, and hope others will follow your example. for those of you who have experienced such hate and ignorance, my heart goes out to you, just please don't stoop to there level.
"in a perfect world, people would be judged based on their actions, knowledge and attitude towards others; and, not on the color of their skin, wealth, sexuality, or belief. prejudice and ignorance would be a description only of the past. discrimination and hate, would no longer be known to our children. the term "melting pot," would be referred to as a blend of beautiful cultures, and acceptance of multiple religions, - in a perfect world."