Need some travel advice from black nurses

peachesRN · Jun 29, 2006

just lost the extended version of this response so...i'm not a traveler (yet) but i am looking for good staffing and would like to avoid that race thing. sorry that i don't have an answer for you but may i ask; where was your favorite spot? are any of those "horror stories" about no. carolina?

corbon · Jun 30, 2006

You are correct in that there are more ethnic groups in the west coast, but this doesn't necessarily mean that discrimination doesn't exist. I think you have more to fear from the territorial nurses than your "color."

Krither · Jul 3, 2006

I dont think that there are neccessarily more ethnic groups on the west coast, it's just that there are more individuals in comparison.

I don't think that black nurses are treated badly in the south in general. I would think that it's on a case by case thing. You can't say that ever last hospital will treat black nurses bad. That's just assuming with out the facts.

texascowgirl · Jul 4, 2006

i am not black but having been misplaced in the South for the past few years, i can tell you that the ones who are discrimated against are the whites. i live in an area that is predominantly black and reverse racism flourishes.....it's really sad...why cant we all get along?

this is one of the many reasons why i am moving back to Texas

p.s. my first nursing job was in Memphis, and it was almost as bad as Savannah......because once again, predominantly black...

however, Nashville is not predominantly black so i cant comment on what the atmosphere would be like there

LoriAlabamaRN · Jul 5, 2006

I'm a white nurse working in south Alabama, many of my staff LPNs are black, as are a couple in management. I've not heard about it being an issue, and I really wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

corbon · Jul 7, 2006

I dont think that there are neccessarily more ethnic groups on the west coast, it's just that there are more individuals in comparison. I don't think that black nurses are treated badly in the south in general. I would think that it's on a case by case thing. You can't say that ever last hospital will treat black nurses bad. That's just assuming with out the facts.

Krither, how would you know that there aren't more ethnic groups in the west coast, esp. CA? From what I gather from your age, you're not even a nurse yet. Have you been to the hospitals there? I'm speaking from my experiences. When I was working in the South, the nurses were predominantly white versus the West Coast which had a diverse mix of ethnicities. Look it up in the US Census.

Krither, I find it hilarious and contradictory in your statement, since you would be also making assumptions without no prior experiences.

Venus Envy · Jul 11, 2006

I am not a traveller, nor black, but I am a nursing student in Georgia. In my nursing class around 20 or so out of 30 of us are African or African-American, and we have never had any problems. There seems to be a large number of black LPNs and CNAs working in Georgia though, so it's very commonplace.

Depending on where you go, many areas in the south are predominantly black or white, but I've never been somewhere where either I or a friend wasn't welcome for that reason.

Mommy TeleRN, RN · Jul 28, 2006

I am white and work in Memphis. There are a lot of black nurses in Memphis, I would actually say the majority are black. Yes I have seen some older white patients who still have some racist issues and will make some little snide remark when i enter the room - but as far as respect from the facilities I haven't seen a problem there.

There was a patient and his wife who were white. I entered the room and they said oh good a REAL nurse - we have some questions. The RN was standing right there. I said ..umm NO I am an intern - I do not have RN after my name! Your REAL nurse is right here and she can handle any issues you are having. She couldn't get over it that they said she wasn't a REAL nurse.

Memphis is more diverse than Nashville it seems to me.

MaleRNstudent21, ASN, CNA, RN · Aug 12, 2006

I'm majoring in nursing I'm still a student. But I feel that I can speak more on this topic than most since I'm African American and I live in Memphis. I moved from Norfolk Nebraska to Memphis,TN 6yrs ago. As far as respect goes you can be respected in Memphis and be a black nurse or even a black doctor. In memphis the city is more African American than any other race. The city stats on pop. in 2005 was a total population of 65% African American. In Memphis,TN we have lots of black nurses and black doctors who were educated all over the US. I can tell you though that Memphis is very racial divided. Its not like how it was in the north which I hate. When you go out in the public it seems to always be a line divided amongst race. Its always the blacks on one side and the whites on another. It is truely sad how the divider is in our city. As far as respect goes anyone who is rascist has no choose but to respect you. This city is basically ran by African Americans. We have very large communities also our mayor is African American. The city does fit a common label of the ideal "south". Since you are trying to relocate due to being closer to your daughter. I would say take the opportunity and come to Memphis. We can always welcome a great nurse to our city. And speaking for myself I would love to have you hear.

Sorry if I offend anyone in my response. My objective was to speak truthfully as I thought I could upon this matter.

JazzyRN · Aug 13, 2006

I am a black travel nurse, although Ive never worked in the south. I definitly think you bring up a good issue that can be a problem. I find it very amusing how white nurses feel as if they can give you insight on this issue. The best way to get the info you seek is to speak candidly with black nurses at the hospitals in which you may want to work. Ive worked in mostly black cities, that doesnt mean your coworkers are going to be black or not be racist. Working in Washington DC I was definitly the minority on my unit even though the majority of the DC population is black. So even though Memphis may have a greater population of black people, dont be fooled. Working out in California I experienced quite a bit of racism/prejudice. It wasnt the outright, blatant racism, but the more subtle kind. Where everyone assumes you are a CNA, without even asking the new face who they are or reading my ID, they just KNOW what your there to do. Asking me if im from south central. Things like coworkers(nurses/MDs) not listening or taking your opinion/assessments on a pt seriously unless someone of another race confirmed what youve said, etc.I think you can encounter racism any state of this country you go. No one likes to be open and honest about that. This is just the crap you have to put up with being a black professional in the US. God Bless America. :uhoh3:

MaleRNstudent21, ASN, CNA, RN · Aug 13, 2006

I would have to agree with JazzyRN. I couldn't say it any better!