Life as a minority in nursing

Anderson11 · Mar 25, 2011

Sorry to go of course from the flow of the thread but wanted to reply to the OP, if you're hispanic in NY I believe it can be a real asset in nursing, especially at hospitals such as Columbia Presbyterian and in clinics uptown, West Harlem, The Bronx and beyond... everyone is my son's clinic speak Spanish, I'm addressed in Spanish due to my last name even though I don't really speak it, I wish I was Spanish sometimes because it would make it a lot easier to get a job close to home when I qualify, the nurses at my son's clinic tell me Spanish is a must to be employed there. Nursing is a social field being a minority can only help you when you graduate I believe. I'm white from Europe by the FYI, my husband is Dominican. Now outside of nursing in other industries, being hispanic is often NOT an asset I can definitely see negative stereotyping against them, I know I've had jobs in other fields based on a European accent and being from the 'right' background, meanwhile my husband struggles with potential employers pondering if he's 'ghetto' at times because he's Dominican with dark complexion - he's found it a LOT harder to get employment recently and he's far more experienced than me, very gracious and charming.

cookie91 · Mar 25, 2011

you are completely right. I think it is important to know at least a second language if you are going into nursing. The reason being that the majority of population in NYC are minorities coming from underserved areas and one out of four new yorkers dont have health insurance so they need to be seen by doctors and nurses. Bellevue has a free clinic that sees people without health insurance and the majority of the popullation that comes in are hispanic so i think you are right. Speaking spanish is definitly a plus.

microtutor · Mar 25, 2011

I wish I could learn Spanish; I've tried before, but I'm so awful with languages. Some people are bad at math, I'm bad at languages. I think it would be a tremendous asset, though - so I may try again very soon.

cookie91 · Mar 26, 2011

while you are it you should learn french as well. :)

Emilynn09 · Mar 26, 2011

hi everyone this has been in my head for quite some time. I attend a college where 95% of the students are recognized as minorities. I am a hispanic female and i feel that there are not allot of us who attend college after high school. 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? Do you think that it is harder for a minority to make it in the industry. Especially in health care, I feel that diversity is important because we represent our race, our strong work of ethics. What do you think? Correct me if I am wrong but how important should diversity be in heath care. Despite the strong belief in the value of a college diploma; I feel minorities more often than not fall short to reach that goal. Feel free to express your thoughts and opinions.

I think this is going to depend greatly on where you are living. I live in SoCal, and while the term "minority" is still used for non-white people... the term is far from accurate here in the community. There is a good mixture of asian, hispanic, black, and many other cultures here in my area. I haven't seen that being a certain race has held anyone back from success in the field, at least not from my perspective, but I live in a very diverse area where people are more culturally aware and more tolerant toward differences in culture.

OMOLURU COURAGE I · Mar 27, 2011

This profession has to grow,and for it to grow,we all have our different parts to play. Our senior collegues has not realy done well.

inthere · Mar 27, 2011

Exit96..OMG if I hear of another white male say he is a minority I will puke. You may be a minority in terms of a nursing career (more women chose this career)...but you are certainly not a minority in North America. When white men start having a history of systemic racism like blacks, natives, and other VISIBLE minorities, then you have the right to be angry about the disparity you think you have as a white male. Oh and to put down the single mother? Maybe she wouldn't need to access financial aide if your country made the fathers of these children pay child support based on their income. Eventually your governments will get tired of paying for these children and I don't know make the dads pay for the child he and the mother brought into this world (both parents are responsible yeet one carries all financial and parental responsibilities)

cookie91 · Apr 2, 2011

Blacks/African Americans are 15.9% of the New York State Population

But...

...in the Health Professions Workforce in New York State:

Only 5% of Physicians are Black/African American

Only 5% of Physician Assistants are Black/African American

Only 8.9% of Registered Nurses are Black/African American

Only 2% of Dentists are Black/African American

Hispanics/Latinos are 15.1% of the New York State Population

But...

...in the Health Professions Workforce in New York State:

Only 4% of Physicians are Hispanic/Latino

Only 5% of Physician Assistants are Hispanic/Latino

Only 2.2% of Registered Nurses are Hispanic/Latino

Only 4% of Dentists are Hispanic/Latino

Data source: Health Resources and Services Administration,

This is a real shocker as minorities we need to represent, become role models and increase the number of helath care professionals from under represented groups.:redbeathe

Anderson11 · Apr 2, 2011

Cookie are you from Europe? nothing to do with the thread just wondering what the flag is by your name

cookie91 · Apr 2, 2011

No, i am not or else i probely would not have started this thread. jejeje

I am Hispanic/ Latina.

Anderson11 · Apr 2, 2011

Ohh like my husband and son :) I'm from Europe I thought this flag thing by your name was Estonia lol which is interesting because in Europe I think there's a lot of discrimination against certain white Eastern Europeans right now.

Certifiable, BSN, RN · Apr 2, 2011

"I attend a college where 95% of the students are recognized as minorities"---- doesn't that mean that you're not a minority???