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I am looking for other black nurses (actually minority nurses) to communicate and network with. Although I come from an area with a pretty even mix of races in the nursing field there are very few other black nurses, I have dealt with many unique experiences and I would like to hear what others are going through, triumphs, successes, let downs, failures......I have looked everywhere and I can not find any group to fill this need. This is the largest nursing network on the web right now so I know that we are here!
over the past 8 years, minoritynurse.com has been helpful with insightful articles in their magazine and later website on nursing career exploration and promoting cultural diversity within nursing profession. national black nurses association, inc. (nbna) has many chapters across the us, very active in my area and helped to encourage career advancement for many of my colleagues.
the national coalition of ethnic minority nurse associations (ncemna) ... gives voice to 350,000 + ethnic minority nurses around the us. along with nbna above, membership includes:
aapina asian american / pacific islander nurses association, inc.
nahn national association of hispanic nurses
nanaina national alaska native american indian nurses association
pnaa philippine nurses association of america, inc.
sacnas society for advancement of chicanos and native americans in science
see our news report: african-american nurses organization leaves lasting legacy to connect with the mary mahoney professional nurses organization
I think predjustice and racism walk side by side. I really dont see the difference between a "white" nurse stuck among lets say a philipino cliche group and a black individual feeling left out of a circle of white collegues.
Pay attention to the bold letters and left out wording in paranthesis...
Prejudice & racism walk side by side; however, there is a difference between a white nurse "STUCK" among (superiority-complex) a philipino cliche group and a black individual (nurse) "Feeling" left out of a circle of white collegues.
The main difference that lies between group A and group B is the contrasting history of social interaction. The only way you would see a difference is if you were to humble yourself.
It's sort of like the grieving process. I've always hated the denial part of the greiving process (LoL!). Acknowledge the past & see if there could be in anyway possible that even a small present inequality could exist today & accept it for what it is...
Please just try it for a few minutes...it won't hurt...well it may
I am a white nurse but was just wanting to share my views as well if that is OK. I was unaware that African American nurses were having any problems? Guess I'm just oblivious or am not experiencing it myself. When I see a black nurse it's the same as a white, hispanic, or Filipino nurse, etc. It makes no difference what the color of ones skin is. It's what's in their hearts and how much knowledge they have...that's what I respect. I'm sorry that you are having a difficult time.
I think some people are in denial but Not every white person is racist. You may be a part of them who are not. Pay attention to your white coworkers & see how they are treating everyone... Pay attention to black coworkers'patients responses & their family member responses.
You don't have time to do that you are busy doing your job. Everyone is not fair like you. For example You stated it's what's in the heart & how much knowledge that a nurse have...that you come to respect. Some people look at your skin color including blacks and assume automatically that you don't have as much knowledge as a white nurse..so therefore you don't receive respect.
You have to work harder to earn that respect & it still may never come.
Hello All,I am new to the site and will be starting school in Jan 2010:yeah:I'm so excited to begin this journey and would love to meet others who are also starting out,as well as experienced nurses who have been there,done that!!I am a single mother of 3 who will also be working part time while attending school.I look forward to hearing your stories,tips and experiences.
I wanted to chime in, I am an experienced AA nurse of over 18 years, a graduate of an HBCU; I live and work in Atlanta where there are many, many AA nurses who work in all levels of healthcare, you will never be the only one here. Also, I would like to challenge you all to remember that there is more to our experience in healthcare as AAs than discrimination and racism. Cheers!
pay attention to the bold letters and left out wording in paranthesis...prejudice & racism walk side by side; however, there is a difference between a white nurse "stuck" among (superiority-complex) a philipino cliche group and a black individual (nurse) "feeling" left out of a circle of white collegues.
the main difference that lies between group a and group b is the contrasting history of social interaction. the only way you would see a difference is if you were to humble yourself.
it's sort of like the grieving process. i've always hated the denial part of the greiving process (lol!). acknowledge the past & see if there could be in anyway possible that even a small present inequality could exist today & accept it for what it is...
please just try it for a few minutes...it won't hurt...well it may
ok but past is a past...have you lived the past? or you just talking "stories"? right now you have as many rights as anyone else..should we all live in the past...i dont think it is good for our mental health..there were many bad things that happend in the past...shall all the new generation og jews and polish hate germans because of the past,should polish hate russian for the past,should russian hate germans,should french hate english or maybe english should hate french,should ecquador hate peru or peru should hate equador? or maybe native indian should hate the new generation of european american because their ancenstors did horrible things in the past?? do you actually think that black had the worse out of all?? tell this to the native indians who were killed during colonial time,all this to polish of whom 8 milions were murdered by russians,yes not enslaved but murdered..i'm not trying to discount your experiences but ever nation had suffer lesser or greater tragedies... but to according to you only your race suffered the most cruelty (and that to me is racist iteself) if you want to be succesful in nursing the cards are in your hands...just please forgive in your heart,your life will be much peaceful then.
ok but past is a past...have you lived the past? or you just talking "stories"? right now you have as many rights as anyone else..should we all live in the past...i dont think it is good for our mental health..there were many bad things that happend in the past...shall all the new generation og jews and polish hate germans because of the past,should polish hate russian for the past,should russian hate germans,should french hate english or maybe english should hate french,should ecquador hate peru or peru should hate equador? or maybe native indian should hate the new generation of european american because their ancenstors did horrible things in the past?? do you actually think that black had the worse out of all?? tell this to the native indians who were killed during colonial time,all this to polish of whom 8 milions were murdered by russians,yes not enslaved but murdered..i'm not trying to discount your experiences but ever nation had suffer lesser or greater tragedies... but to according to you only your race suffered the most cruelty (and that to me is racist iteself) if you want to be succesful in nursing the cards are in your hands...just please forgive in your heart,your life will be much peaceful then.
its hard to forget when are things are still happening today.
Purplehockeymom,
Thank you to the OP, I LOVE CULTURAL DIVERSITY, thank god we're not all the same:dance
It would be a lot more boring world without that, wouldn't it? Diversity advances societies in lots of ways, without our consciously realizing it, despite the artificial walls people create. Sorry you've had such a rough time of it in your job.
:candle: To those who celebrate: Merry Christmas Eve!
As a non-minority nurse (yes I'm white), I think this is an excellent thread, and to the OP, yes go to the help desk and see if they will start a "Minority Nurses" section under specialties. Minorities face issues that I, or any other whites, will never understand. But I'm willing to listen and learn. I hope that things get better for any of you who have had negative experiences. Just remember, there will always be jerks who treat you wrong just to make themselves feel better. From the get-go, that makes you the better person!
I love that you're willing to acknowledge that there are differences, whether we like them or not! I think that many white nurses become defensive to this topic because they take it as a personal attack. I appreciate that you can see that there are some negative experiences that minority nurses have that are based solely on cultural discrimination and racist undertones that have nothing to do with anything other than skin color. I appreciate that you understand that this isn't a personal attack on you or white people; simply an attempt to voice concerns and gain perspective. I really wish that more people could see things from your perspective...
jemaro67
36 Posts
Purple,
You are spot on!!!! :yeah:I saw this thread and wanted to be a part of it for that reason you have just explained. No further explanation needed. Here's to all those people striving for cultural diversity while sharing experiences with those who have endured similar situations. :loveya: