Red. Pink. Purple. Green. Yellow. Many of these shades I had already seen in my clinicals. Whether it was from vomit, blood, or the precarious hospital lunches, I always came across some primary's shade. However, I was continuously bereft of my own color. Black. Why didn't I see anyone like me?
It was like I was a needle cap placed among a sea of cotton balls. It just seemed...off. Is it even possible? Where is my version of Florence Nightingale?
Perhaps I should get connected and join
Association of black nurses
Black nurses society
Black nurses r us
Nurses who are black,inc.
You're black? And a nurse? Join us!
Maybe this was my ticket to finally feel like I 'm among the ranks of professional individuals, to belong even if it is dangerously close to the sidelines. As a nursing student, I always felt like I had to prove myself to my patients and my instructors. Even though I come from the fabulous city of Chicago, the majority of black nurses work for the county and therefore I was never in contact with them to be inspired, to feel safe, to find a reason to keep going.
But I did.
It was arduous, daunting, and exciting all at the same time, but I steered clear of anything that was a dead giveaway for an excuse. Since I come from a society that is seeping with self-doubt and a "crabs in a bucket" mentality, it wasn't a pretty journey; that's what made it perfect. It feels so rewarding to have little girls run up to me and say that they want to be a nurse now that they've seen someone actually come through the woodwork. It's like I give them hope for something that typically seems so unattainable. They have yet to experience true hardships and challenges, but hopefully I've shown them that it's all worth it in the end. They just need the passion to overcome any obstacle.
But you know what I realized?
It's not about being black and therefore feeling so accomplished about the day's work. It's about being a human being and a nurse. It's about recognizing your own potential before you begin concentrating on the color of your skin.
We don't need...
Association of black nurses
Black nurses society
Black nurses r us
Nurses who are black inc.
You're black? And a nurse? Join us!
... To tell us that we're important. We can only find confidence within ourselves. We have already made great strides towards becoming whatever we want to be and our future looks even brighter.
Maybe it's best for us all to figuratively remove the rods and cones from our eyes and become colorblind. A white nurse is a black nurse is a Hispanic nurse is a Filipino nurse is a Chinese nurse is an Indian nurse. I plan on doing so just to show people how beneficial it is.
Yes, we may be outnumbered as nurses when it comes to statistics, but I choose to think of us as diamonds; rare and hard to come by!
Be human. Be beautiful. But most of all, be...lieve.
I always wonder how someone can be "proud" of the color of their skin considering you had no choice in the matter. It is not like you worked hard to be a certain color and after lots of work achieved you goal. It is like being proud that trees are green. YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. I suspect there are some underlying issues with most of those people.
I am not slamming the previous post, just wondering.
I believe it is the same feelings of pride I have for my Irish heritage. I am proud of my heritage and cultural contributions made by others from my father's former homeland. It 's just that simple to me. I am proud of mine; you are proud of yours. I respect you and you respect me. I learned form my little kindergarden kids here in NYC schools.
I believe it is the same feelings of pride I have for my Irish heritage. I am proud of my heritage and cultural contributions made by others from my father's former homeland. It 's just that simple to me. I am proud of mine; you are proud of yours. I respect you and you respect me. I learned form my little kindergarden kids here in NYC schools.
No, I am not proud of the color of my skin. It is not my heritage. Honestly, I am not particularly proud of where my ancesters came from. I had nothing to do with it. They came to America because where they were originaly from wasn't that great a place to be a citizen. Why should I be proud of the place they left. They were proud that they worked toward and succeeded in their goal of becoming Americans. I raised my son to be proud of the fact that we are Americans, and good citizens because those are choices we make, something we strive for. If not we could go live somewhere else. Not proud to be a certain color or related to people across the big pond. I still wonder why people are proud of the color of their skin when they had nothing to do with it. Perhaps they are reaching outside themselves for an identity or sense of self worth they are missing inside. I really dont know.
When I worked as a Nursing Supervisor in VA, I taught charting to the Nurses' Aides in a Home Health agency. They were glad to know what it was that was expected of them in that way. One person told me that she had been told to fill up a page, charting - but hadn't been given any information about what she should put there,
My immediate superior told me that I shouldn't teach charting, as "They can't learn". I was dumbfounded by that and said, "They are learning! Look at their charting, now". Her response was, "Now they'll want more money". That really flabbergasted me.
That agency had changed owners 4 times in one of the Nurses' Aides time there, and at some point she was told that they'd lost her license/credential. I was called one day and told that I should take all the patients assigned to her, away. I had no one else to assign to those patients, and asked "Why do you want me to do that?" The answer was that "We're being audited, and she doesn't have her credential on file". Well, this was at least a decade since it was lost!
I asked that NA where she'd gone to get the credential (no license being required for NAs in VA), and she told me the name of the hospital where she'd been educated. I asked if it would be OK for me to call them, and she agreed, saying "I don't know who you'd talk to, about it". When I called HR at that hospital, they were hesitant to give me any information without her consent. So I faxed the NA a form I made up, to her at her bank, she went there, signed it giving the hospital permission to tell me if they had a copy of her certificate and the bank faxed that to HR at the hospital. (Banks do that for customers, as a courtesy.)
I called HR and was told that they did have her certificate, but couldn't give it to me (making it as difficult as possible). So I called her back and asked her to get it, and bring it to the office (quite a distance from her assigned patients). She did that, I put a copy of it in her personnel file and made 10 copies of it for her, and she went on to her patients.
That NA's self esteem has risen considerably and she has become a great LPN! I felt terrible that she had to put up with such incredible lack of responsibility on the part of the agency. No one thought it was their need to tell her how to get it......or help the process along. How could they not? Well I do know, I guess.....
Reading "The Help", (well actually I heard the book beautifully read on discs, while driving up and down my state), was quite a revelation. I don't think I'll ever understand some caucasians' need to feel better about themselves, by putting those of color down. I'm from Canada, where I hadn't met any people of African American heritage. However there were people from Jamaica there, who were treated with the same respect as anyone else, and they were adamant that they should have that.
I don't understand how some nurses live with themselves, when they act badly toward other nurses, for no good reason. We all like to think we have "a handle" on our work. However the insecurity of some, perhaps, is why they put others down. I wish I could say, "STOP THAT!" to every one of them. If only...
How about those "non-caucasions" that put other people down? Any idea about what is going on there? Often peoples comments about racism are racist themseves by assuming the problem is white mistreating blacks. Racism is a serious problem that goes all directions not just white against black. Unfortuanately I was raised in the California school system as a child where I was taught the problem was whites treating blacks bad which which only describes half the problem. The sad thing is that that attitude seems to have traveled to other countries as well.
How about those "non-caucasions" that put other people down? Any idea about what is going on there? Often peoples comments about racism are racist themseves by assuming the problem is white mistreating blacks. Racism is a serious problem that goes all directions not just white against black. Unfortuanately I was raised in the California school system as a child where I was taught the problem was whites treating blacks bad which which only describes half the problem. The sad thing is that that attitude seems to have traveled to other countries as well.
It's hard to release things that were learned in our formative years, especially when that's hurtful to others. It's worth the effort of purging them, due to the problems created. Read or listen to "The Help", as it supports what you say; and demponsrtaes how destructive prejudice in either direction, can be. I've certainly suffered prejudice against me, because I'm Jewish, though much less than those of my faith did in Germany, ancient Egypt, and in Roman times, etc.
When I was visiting Egypt, in 1985, I felt very comfortable until the tour guide expressly said that no mortar had been used in the construction of the pyramids, and no Jewish slaves were made to build them! We celebrate at Passover every Spring, our release from bondage and retell that story, not, I think to diss Egypt, but to appreciate where we are now.
A delicious paste of nuts, apples, cinnamon and sweet red wine is made and eaten then (I like to add dates, 4 kinds of nuts, ginger and a pear to my mix), to approximate the mortar that was used in the construction of the pyramids (which I plointed out to the misinformed guide). A hard boiled egg symbolizing the full circle of life, is served in salt water, which recalls tears that are shed in sorrow during each life. Horseradish symbolizes the bitterness of life in slavery, and is eaten with the paste on matzoh (unleavened bread as the escape from Egypt left no time for the leavening of it).
Half a piece of matzoh is hidden by an adult, for children to occupyn themselves looking for it, while their parents read the service from a special handbook called a Haggadah. That means different things for different people and was commenced through the prophet Hillel's proclivity to do it, and is called a "Hillel sandwich. To me it symbolizes taking the bitter with the sweet - at times a necessity, as the book, "The Help" describes very poignantly, about white children raised by black women, who became very bonded, but then separated and the woman diminished in the children's eyes..
Please take my word for it, blood has no place in any Seder, the meal at which all that celebrating takes place. It's such a great repast that the Jews who prefer, have 2 successive Seders the first 2 nights of the 8 days of that remembrance. That has something to do with the effort to have it at the same time those in Israel have their Seder. At the end of the concluding services (one is before the meal, and another afterward during which participants are known to drink 6 glasses of red wine), it is said, "Next year (we celebrate) in Jerusalem". There is also a special glass of wine set in the middle of the table for the prophet Elijeh/Eliyahu, and a door at the house is opened for a few minutes during the post prandial service, for him to arrive and sip it.
It is quite therapeutic to recall times when we had much less. I wish African Americans had something that could meaningfully help to ease their DNA's information regarding their times of travail and submission, as we do.
I admire your personal and professional pride, your pluck, and your willingness to address an issue which most Americans--even after the election of an African American President--are reluctant to talk about.
However, I must respectfully disagree with your main premise that people are all the same. Legally, we are mostly the same (discrimination towards immigrants and LGBT people notwithstanding), but we are not biologically equal. We are short, tall, black, white, able, disabled, athletic, klutzy, female, male, gay, straight, native, and immigrant. We are different. Equal under the eyes of the law, but different by nature and nurture.
The unfortunate metaphor that has come out of the election of Barack Obama is "colorblindness." Ask any ophthalmologist and he/she will tell you this is a handicap. Colors to the well functioning retina are distinguishable. Recognizing differences allows us to value them and utilize them. Recognizing differences and using them to marginalize and discriminate, on the other hand, is evil.
While 34% of the U.S. population currently consists of people of color, only 10% of nurses are non-Caucasian. This means that 2/3 of the people of color who need health care don't have people who look like them (and more importantly, think like them) involved in their health care.
I'm not saying a male doctor can't deliver a (female) obstetrical patient. I'm not saying a non-Spanish speaking nurse can't take care of a Mexican-born patient. I'm not saying that a non-running PA can't take care of a marathoner's injuries. What I am saying is that a caregiver's close familiarity with the culture of the patient improves the caregiver's understanding of the patient's needs and improves the patient's confidence that he/she is being heard and understood.
The more diverse our healthcare teams are, the better we can support the wellbeing of all members of the patient population. And if you delve into each caregiver's being, you find he/she is a member of multiple cultures, which creates multiple competencies for caregiving. Cultures are created by one's region, race, religion, gender, ability, language, orientation, education, hobby, parental status, age, and numerous other factors.
I don't dispute your claim that a certified nurse, regardless of race and ethnicity, should be accorded respect and given every opportunity to prove his/her professional mettle. Indeed, let's do away with discriminatory judgments about any person's competence based on color. However, let's acknowledge that as a nurse of color, you bring certain valuable capabilities to the table which others do not.
In the long run, I hope there will no longer be a need for groups like Black Nurses R Us, LGBT professional societies, the Association of Indian Physicians, etc., etc. In the short term, as long as there is recognition of difference coupled with discrimination, such organizations will need to exist to prop up the courage and conviction and professionalism and rights of their members. Oppression by the majority (whether through personal practice or institutional policy) requires minorities to band together. Notice, there are no support groups for white, male, Christian professionals in the U.S.? (Oh, I forgot, those are called Boards of Directors!) Meanwhile, embrace the qualifications which make you a professional, but don't discount your background and life experiences which make you unique and valuable.
Good luck in the struggle, NurseThis21. Continue to be a role model for the little girls around you. I am pulling for you.
It's hard to release things that were learned in our formative years, especially when that's hurtful to others. It's worth the effort of purging them, due to the problems created. Read or listen to "The Help", as it supports what you say; and demponsrtaes how destructive prejudice in either direction, can be. I've certainly suffered prejudice against me, because I'm Jewish, though much less than those of my faith did in Germany, ancient Egypt, and in Roman times, etc.
When I was visiting Egypt, in 1985, I felt very comfortable until the tour guide expressly said that no mortar had been used in the construction of the pyramids, and no Jewish slaves were made to build them! We celebrate at Passover every Spring, our release from bondage and retell that story, not, I think to diss Egypt, but to appreciate where we are now.
A delicious paste of nuts, apples, cinnamon and sweet red wine is made and eaten then (I like to add dates, 4 kinds of nuts, ginger and a pear to my mix), to approximate the mortar that was used in the construction of the pyramids (which I plointed out to the misinformed guide). A hard boiled egg symbolizing the full circle of life, is served in salt water, which recalls tears that are shed in sorrow during each life. Horseradish symbolizes the bitterness of life in slavery, and is eaten with the paste on matzoh (unleavened bread as the escape from Egypt left no time for the leavening of it).
Half a piece of matzoh is hidden by an adult, for children to occupyn themselves looking for it, while their parents read the service from a special handbook called a Haggadah. That means different things for different people and was commenced through the prophet Hillel's proclivity to do it, and is called a "Hillel sandwich. To me it symbolizes taking the bitter with the sweet - at times a necessity, as the book, "The Help" describes very poignantly, about white children raised by black women, who became very bonded, but then separated and the woman diminished in the children's eyes..
Please take my word for it, blood has no place in any Seder, the meal at which all that celebrating takes place. It's such a great repast that the Jews who prefer, have 2 successive Seders the first 2 nights of the 8 days of that remembrance. That has something to do with the effort to have it at the same time those in Israel have their Seder. At the end of the concluding services (one is before the meal, and another afterward during which participants are known to drink 6 glasses of red wine), it is said, "Next year (we celebrate) in Jerusalem". There is also a special glass of wine set in the middle of the table for the prophet Elijeh/Eliyahu, and a door at the house is opened for a few minutes during the post prandial service, for him to arrive and sip it.
It is quite therapeutic to recall times when we had much less. I wish African Americans had something that could meaningfully help to ease their DNA's information regarding their times of travail and submission, as we do.
UMMM African Americans helped BUILD America... Every race has contributed to the WORLD and the betterment of it.
To the original poster, its not just Black American Nurses who have had a dreadful struggle in the nursing profession. Its the same thing in Europe and the UK. In England there is a disproportionate number of Black nurses on low nursing bands i.e Band 5 which is the first band for a newly qualified nurse. When you look at these figures closely at least more than half are doing the job of a nurse that should be on a higher Band i.e Band 6 and beyond. So my sisters in the USA we share the same struggles as you.
One thing that I do detest amongst us black nurses is the lack of solidarity and support. It seems at times we will *****, backstabb each other and be envious of one another when we try to progress or when we have been given a promotion. I have seen it happen time and time again. Also I have faced accusations of wanting to be white and fit in - just because I wouldnt tolerate bad practice from Healthcare Assistants (who happened to be the same race as me) (anyone else experience that?) (I am a person who doesnt tolerate bad practice - regardless of where you maybe from). Oh the things I have been called in my career because I wont go along with the status quo that some expect amongst black nursing staff. No way - I stand alone and I stand tall. I think I am ready to work in America. I am a tough cookie. Grew up the hard way.
nursenow
302 Posts
I always wonder how someone can be "proud" of the color of their skin considering you had no choice in the matter. It is not like you worked hard to be a certain color and after lots of work achieved you goal. It is like being proud that trees are green. YOU HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. I suspect there are some underlying issues with most of those people.
I am not slamming the previous post, just wondering.