Life as a minority in nursing

cookie91 · Feb 20, 2011

Wow. i completely agree that your skin color should not define who you are at all. We are all given the same equal opportunities we can either go to college and pursue a degree our heart desires or we can work for minimum wage in a job we dislike. ( i am not talking about foreigner who come for better living) i am talking about people like me and you. Who can write and speak English, who have the power of choice to attend higher education, people who use their time wisely to educate themselves. each and every single one of us is given us the opportunity to stand out and rise above others. It is me and you who have the choice to succeed.

WindyhillBSN · Feb 22, 2011

"There are the ones that strive hard to accomplish there goals, but i feel they have to work extra hard. Do you feel the same way?"
No.
I see minorities actively and aggressively recruited and favored in admissions and hiring.
The vast majority of scholarships are either limited to minorities or specifically favor minorities, so many that most of them go unclaimed. Many of the employment and academic support programs are also either limited to minorities or specifically favor them.
As for crappy high schools... yes, students from crappy high schools need to work harder after high school than grads from good high schools do after high school if they take the same classes. I think they are more likely to start with lower level classes and work about as hard. Either way, they didn't have to work nearly as hard while in jr high and high school.

I'm from the "dirty south" and this certainly wasn't true where I was. I wish I had some help. I had to work twice as hard as everyone else to prove I was a good nurse, and I certainly never was approved for scholarships. Sometimes I was watched like a hawk by management so badly that even the caucasian nurses noticed. It makes you cry. :twocents:

AddisonLawrence03 · Feb 22, 2011

Exactly! Your skin color (or 'different' name) is already going to be a hinderance (whether people want to believe it or not). Just don't allow that hinderance to become a handicap. My name is a truly ethnic name (and I'm African) and I believe that with hard work, (a little luck) and blessings you can achieve in this country. Example: Too many immigrants who come to the states with very little and work hard (living in the ghetto). 10 to 20 years down the road, they are home owners, nice cars, good jobs AND still send off their kids to college (without taking out any loans and get scholarships). They achieve so much (with language & cultural barriers) and tend to exceed those who have lived here all their lives, while NEVER complaining and giving excuses as to why they just can't make it in society. I'm telling you... If you TRULY want to succeed in this country you can! It might not be as easy, but its always possible.

Everybody is different. You have some immigrants and African Americans who have done very well for themselves despite others who are still peddling behind. People have different obstacles that get in the way--some obstacles are harder to get over than others. I have a friend who is African, and she is having a hard time with reading and writing, and on top of that, her family does not have a lot of money and she cannot get financial aid for nursing school. So everybody's situation is just different.

caliotter3 · Feb 22, 2011

I was recently in a home giving report to my oncoming relief when the client called someone and in a loud voice started to make derogatory comments about the oncoming nurse, referring to her ethnicity. I moved the nurse away from the immediate area. I really felt sorry for her and thought if I were her, I would have been tempted to confront him at the end of the conversation to see if he wanted a replacement nurse from the agency. She did nothing to deserve that insulting behavior.

mspontiac · Feb 22, 2011

If anything, minorities are at a DISADVANTAGED in the hiring process.
And btw, it is "you're". Land of opportunity my ass.

If we are picking apart grammar, your sentence structure is incorrect. "If anything, minorities are at a DISADVANTAGED in the hiring process" should read, "If anything, minorities are at a DISADVANTAGE in the hiring process."

Just saying, those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Okechi · Feb 22, 2011

Perhaps, because we lack family support and involvement. I remember in high school it was like a race to see which girl got pregnant first, such horrible memories. When I was striving for high education they tried to make me feel bad I wasn't interesting in relationships.

Who do we really blame for this? I think we all have the power to chose and fight for what we dream on day we would become. I'm currently working 3 days and at nursing school 4 days. And yes you guessed it, No kids. I can never blame teachers, society, councelors, parents, or any one. we have to become responsible.

" camaron que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente"

ICUterry · Feb 23, 2011

I agree with the last poster... again "minorities may be at a disadvantage" but this topic can be so broadened its ridiculous.. when you think about it even for before you get into nursing school the true minority is nowadays considered caucasian.. for the simple fact that most schools have to hit "quotas" but if you want to microscope minorities being anyone but white in nursing school id have to say its not a real disadvantage... perhaps to the ignorant perception of baby boomers.. but besides that.. when it comes to being hired and how are you treated in the work force.. there isnt really a minority.. i can say ive had it rough being quote unquote a minority.. sometimes tempted to give up and go down the gutter route of many friends and families.. but truly being sick and tired of being percieved in the usual sterotype of others invigorates me to prove that ignorant sterotype wrong. also i must say like many post you tend to be the product of your envirornment.. i must say that from what i have seen in order to be successful in this world it takes heart, brains a good support group and a little bit of luck or blessings however you want to call it. many people that are considered minorities have a sad story to tell you... but the ones that achieve their goals generally say that nothing or no one stopped them in the end... and reguardless of race.. no matter how much or who you know thats what it ultimately comes down to.

allnurses Guide · Feb 23, 2011

I agree with the last poster... again "minorities may be at a disadvantage" but this topic can be so broadened its ridiculous.. when you think about it even for before you get into nursing school the true minority is nowadays considered caucasian.. for the simple fact that most schools have to hit "quotas" but if you want to microscope minorities being anyone but white in nursing school id have to say its not a real disadvantage... perhaps to the ignorant perception of baby boomers.. but besides that...

Why would you call the tens of millions of people born between 1946 and 1962, who are composed of all ethnic backgrounds - ignorant? :confused:

kjlewis76 · Feb 23, 2011

Ouch! This thread hurts to even read. It is sad that anybody has to worry about this.

I am a minority myself. I am a caucasion, non traditional student. I hate having that description, but it is what it is. It won't stop me from becoming the RN I have always dreamed of being. Anything worth having, is worth working for.

I don't care what color a person is. When I think of a nurse, I think of someone who is educated, strong, caring and capable. That hand that held mine while I was in labor, urging me to keep pushing and to work for my baby. I didn't care what color that hand was! I just cared that it was there, holding mine, lifting me up when I needed lifting.

ICUterry · Feb 23, 2011

Why would you call the tens of millions of people born between 1946 and 1962, who are composed of all ethnic backgrounds - ignorant?

By golly I'm not saying Ignorance is soleu on the baby boomers.. But seei

How nurses are tending more towards the baby boomers and how the perception of those born in that era is significantly old school I generalized and categorized it under that category.. Sue me.. But yes there are those that have that type of mentality in all decades but I dint see the need to specify.. I thought that was obvious.. Eeesh

Trilldayz,RN BSN · Feb 26, 2011

Everybody is different. You have some immigrants and African Americans who have done very well for themselves despite others who are still peddling behind. People have different obstacles that get in the way--some obstacles are harder to get over than others. I have a friend who is African, and she is having a hard time with reading and writing, and on top of that, her family does not have a lot of money and she cannot get financial aid for nursing school. So everybody's situation is just different.

I see what you are saying. That's why I wrote that immigrants TEND to be more successful, didn't say all of them. And besides she can still succeed also, it might just take her a bit longer. I never got financial aid. I worked throughout my entire college career and got private scholarships for academics while I was the oldest of 5 helping take care of my siblings while my single mom was never home due to work. Life isn't fair or easy for anyone, but we have to try to work with what we are given and make the best of it. I wish your friend lots of luck!!

exit96 · Feb 26, 2011

I am a white male. I am a minority in the nursing feild. I am finishing up on my RN degree. I DO NOT get ANY help of any kind for being a minority, and this makes me a little bitter, but I will get over it. I screwed off in high school and got nothing out of it, I could barely even read comprehensively 10 years ago. So I guess I would be just like a someone who had a below average high school education, or access to below average, actually i would say that below average schools get a better education than I got, and it was my own fault. I say all that to lead into this: Self efficacy is the key. No one can hold you down or keep you out of the health care field if that is what you aspire to do and make the grades! If you are a minority there are TONS of assistance opportunities out there for you. No excuses on not pursuing college...none. Actually I am a MINORITY because I am a male entering a female dominated field-nursing. HOWEVER, I get "squat" for being a white male. Someone in the past ticked somebody off and apparently it is up to me to pay for it...sorry, it disgusts me...So I have a family, have had to fight my way through these 4 years of college at 47 years old, refinanced my house to feed my family, and work when it fits in with my school schedule. A little bit more about my history of being a minority, the Womens resource Center at my college claims to be ther for men going into female dominated careers like nursing...HAHAHA, I have not received one red cent thus far and will not get anything. Meanwhile any female that is a single parent gets everything free for school, not taking into account whether that female was a willing partner in getting pregnant, chooses to not be married or whatever. The disparity is appalling!! BUT, what it comes down to is working real hard and not letting anyone stop you...so NO I do not subscribe to some folks having a little crappier high school education...I am one of those who have to work extra hard, mostly because of my own faults, but aslo because of some of the variables I have mentioned here. BUT it can be done. I hope I am not being offensive here, just airing out my perspective and feelings. We need to stop promoting people because of stereotyped difficulties and allow those who make the grade to succeed.