My dental hyginenist was surprised that I was an RN.

[Jo Anne -OLD]

First, for all that don't know, I am a Hispanic RN.

Now......

Went to my dentist yesterday. At the end of my visit I asked the hyginenist something about my dental care. She was going to go into great detail, so I stopped her to save time and said, " I am familiar with XYZ, I work in healthcare ".

The conversation went something like this:

Dental H: "Really?, (total disbelief) in what area of healthcare?"

Me: " I am a R.N"

Dental H: " Are you a diploma, 2-year RN? My niece is a four-year RN".

Me:" I have a BSN".

Dental H: "Hmmm. At first, when you said you were a nurse , I thought you were only a nursing assistant".

Me: My face: :stone

Me: (sarcastically) " I can certainly understand why mybeing a registered nurse is sooooo hard for you to believe"...

and here's your sign......

...a "I am a stupid person"sign.

Has anyone mistaken you for the cleaning lady/man, asked for the RN of patient so-and-so when, in fact,you are the RN in charge of pt. soandso?

I usually let stupid comments go ....but this, THIS, I had to share.

[zenman]

I'm a tall distinguished-looking white male so they usually mistake me for a physician. :chuckle

I just say,"Please don't insult me!"

[leslie :-D]

look at the source and ignore it.

your worth is not contingent on others' beliefs in you.

but you may want to consider a different hygienist.

[Todd SPN]

The thing about stupid people is they don't realize they are stupid. I've long ago given up caring about what people think, although like you, I am amazed at times of what comes out of their mouth.

[Jo Anne -OLD]

look at the source and ignore it.

your worth is not contingent on others' beliefs in you.

but you may want to consider a different hygienist.

Yes. I will do that.

But, what makes me scratch my head is that we are living in the 21st century and society still has this mentality that people of color are uneducated, or are simply not smart enough.

I am not one of those people who goes around saying, "it's because i am {insert your ethnicity here}"....that happen to me" etc.

But it does get on my nerves, that once in a while I experience situations like these ....

BTW, what is up with the " I thought you were only a cna? or a 2 year rn?"???? comment??

I consider these individuals as my equals.

[CHATSDALE]

IRGORE IGNORANCE,,,,the den hyg was llooking for an ego boost....i have worked with rns who when i mentiions something whould go in wide eyed exagarated and say oh look she knows that and she is an lpn....these people are not worth your time and worry...YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE...

[leslie :-D]

But, what makes me scratch my head is that we are living in the 21st century and society still has this mentality that people of color are uneducated, or are simply not smart enough.

the bliss of ignorance.

stereotypes will always exist, regardless of ethnicity, gender, color, age.

we are an equal opportunity society that does not discriminate on the weaknesses of the aforementioned.

take it (and them) for what it's worth.

i took off my rose tinted glasses not too long ago.

leslie

[leslie :-D]

I'm a tall distinguished-looking white male so they usually mistake me for a physician. :chuckle

I just say,"Please don't insult me!"

[Jo Anne -OLD]

I'm a tall distinguished-looking white male so they usually mistake me for a physician. :chuckle

I just say,"Please don't insult me!"

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[weetziebat]

It reminds me of when I was an LPN and people would ask me "Are you a real nurse, or just an LPN? :angryfire

Ignorance and stupidity, what can I say?

Now I work with developmentally disabled adults and too frequently to be believed, when I accompany them to the doctor's office, staff will inquire if I am their mother. Now, they may look younger than they really are, but most of them are in their 50's. In many cases, older than me! Do staff really think I'm their mother?!? Aaarrgh!

[PennyLane, RN]

Honestly I would have asked her why she thought you were "only a nursing assistant". What part of "I am an RN" didn't she get?

I would also request a different hygienist.

[nursepearl]

wow Jo Anne, I get the same thing all the time! I am also hispanic and whenever i tell someone i am a nurse....they think nursing assistant!!! Even when I was in school, i would say "oh i am in nursing school." and they would reply with somthing like "oh CNA". I mean I am certainly not the first hispanic RN....but I can also see where they are coming from because only 10% of Rn's are of color!

Argh!