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.
I was a day care Mom. I was walking to the playground with four 4 year olds and two 2 year olds. Two in a stroller, one on my back, and two holding the stroller. These kids were not the same skin color, body build, hair texture, or eye shape. A well dressed woman began to follow me angrily yelling. "Have you never heard of BIRTH CONTROL?"
Oooohhh, spacenurse, you are such a hoochiemama! :rotfl:
I'm hispanic and I'm used to these kinds of things and I too usually just let it roll off. What I find disturbing about the story is that this was a well educated person in a people oriented setting. You know and unfortunately we all do it to some point, but most of us don't go out of our way to do it like your hygenist. Did you tell him or her anything?
Specializes in 6 years of ER fun, med/surg, blah, blah.
I work in a very diverse area, & am happy to say, that regardless of the ethnic background, the patients recognize us as nurses first. The only time I had a pt. ask if their Dr. was a "real American", since we have so many Dr's from different parts of the world, I replied "You, mean a Native American?" I think the question was meant to ask if the Dr. was white. The pt. never replied to this, but seemed to understand what I meant. I judge at all health professionals by their abilities, but anything else. Even those whose personalities are hard to take, if they are competent & caring, that's all that matters.
I am an African-American, way over 40:) and I'm attempting to change careers to nursing. I am currently in LPN school, hoping to go on to RN after finishing. I am also taking a CNA course and hope to be working as a CNA in December.
I've run into the attitudes being discussed so many times, in so many different circumstances based on my race, nationality(American- yes Americans are discrimated against too), gender, height, you name it. To a great degree, I let it roll off my back.
I'm getting more prepared for these type of remarks since I am just getting started in the nursing field and I'm going to working as a CNA. I already know how many people feel about CNA's, but I choose to go this route (CNA-LPN-RN) so I'm developing even thicker skin. I look at it as a way of developing humility and empathy for others. I am a Straight A student, but when people look at me, they don't know that or how high my IQ is or what I've accomplished in other areas. I'm trying to develop a character where I don't feel I have to prove or show ignorant and inconsiderate people anything. BUT, sometimes I think you need to gently and effectively "educate" ignorant people who speak without thinking.
I was a day care Mom. I was walking to the playground with four 4 year olds and two 2 year olds. Two in a stroller, one on my back, and two holding the stroller. These kids were not the same skin color, body build, hair texture, or eye shape. A well dressed woman began to follow me angrily yelling. "Have you never heard of BIRTH CONTROL?"
I can't imagine the narrow life of the hygenist to make such an rude comment. I realize that ignorance can be cured...but is she wanting to seek treatment?
Some people have the misfortune of having a bad combination of arrogance and ignorance when viewing the world: you have to accept the fact that these individuals are poor souls and be grateful that you are not one of them........
I'm hispanic and I'm used to these kinds of things and I too usually just let it roll off. What I find disturbing about the story is that this was a well educated person in a people oriented setting. You know and unfortunately we all do it to some point, but most of us don't go out of our way to do it like your hygenist. Did you tell him or her anything?
You know, I just went in to get my teeth cleaned and to talk to the dentist re: my tmj problem. She just had an attitude from the beginning. No people skills whatsoever. At first I just thought that she was having a bad day..and.I was like whatever....
I was just surprised at her tone of voice and it was obvious, so obvious that she has a problem with something....
I am usually a happy go lucky person. I love interacting with people of different cultures, backgrounds etc... I am proud of the fact that I have a good amount of self-esteem and I don't have the need to put others down in order to make myself feel better.
Hopefully, she will learn her lesson and give up her prejudices.
Anyway, I talked to one of her bosses and he was fuming. He fervently apologized and said he would have a chat with her.
Some people have the misfortune of having a bad combination of arrogance and ignorance when viewing the world: you have to accept the fact that these individuals are poor souls and be grateful that you are not one of them........
I'm not rich. Worked my way through a very difficult BSN program as a CNA. After I got my RN, a supervisor said, "How could somebody like "you" have their BSN?...Guess you had nothing else to do." DUH! Back then I said nothing. I was shocked. These days I have plenty to say. Oh if I could only see her again.
But even BETTER than that was the time I was eating in a fast food place, reading a copy of RN. A man across the isle leaned over and said; "Would you like to be a nurse someday honey?..It's not easy you know." Like who the hell else would be reading a professional nursing magazine? :chuckle
QUOTE=SharonMH31]Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. It's a reflection on them not you and I honestly don't get upset anymore. In fact, it can be fun clearing the air; the look of surprise is quite entertaining sometimes.
A patient once thought I was a CNA because I answered her call light and took her to the bathroom. When I told her I was the house supervisor, she was surprised and said an RN had never taken her to the bathroom before. :uhoh21:
maxinern
10 Posts
At my last job I was the nurse manager, people sometimes thought I was the unit clerk! :rotfl: