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.
Those are the exact same things that go on between nurses of all races. I gurantee the white nurses are doing the same thing to you(and each other) and it is not because you are black. Maybe it is time for alot of people to get over the black thing and accept the fact that just because someone does you wrong it doesn't mean they are racist. Try just being a nurse.
Thats an interesting concept to the argument. Would tell that to the Black nurses who after many years find themselves frustrated, hurt and angry that they have not progressed in their careers because of their background?
Telling Black nurses to GET OVER racism is really not the way to contribute to the argument. Either u are a racist bully yourself (I dont beleive that would be the case) or you are from the Deep South of America and still hangin on to those old fashioned deeply ingrained Deep Southern Values eh. Tell me which one is it?:)
Thats it? That is a very common/average/typical tactic by someone wanting to defend an indefensible position. I suggest it is not OK for African Americans to be racist and you accuse me of being racist. All you can do is attack me?. Are you trying to change the focus because you can't defend what that poster is doing? Try thinking outside your box.
If you walk onto the floor looking for your brothers and sisters (only those with your skin color) to support you, you are a racist. I don't care if you are black or white. How am I racist because I expect you to get over peoples color and consider everyone as part of your team when working as a nurse?
Why do YOU think it is OK to view people through the color of their skin? Have you considered that even though you are politicaly correct you are a racist and don't know it? :)
Don't you think your generalization about whites is racist? How about saying it is a problem for SOME whites.
My skin color isn't a problem for blacks but it sure is for SOME blacks (and believe it or not, some whites) Most people, in my experience, don't seem to realize racism can be and is found in people of all colors. They often don't even realize they are racist. (yes it is possible i am racist)
Years ago I lived in Gulfport Ms. for a year and then Memphis for 18 months (Coast Guard) and to this day I still don't know which part of the population was the most racist in that area - blacks or whites.
Please read my original post (albeit long) or this one. In a work situation the umbrella is "Office politics"! Hostile nursing clicks come in all races, ages, academic degree levels, genders, clinical competence levels, management levels...To infinity !!
You two (billie39 and nursenow)are a perfect example of destructive subtle nursing hostility and this is just an online blog. Generally and sadly, nurses just are not sisters and do eat their young.
OK this thread is about racism but we have to agree it is "Where" you're working that makes one group feeling superior to another group and sticking the screws to the poor targets. How about we fix the hostility by just agreeing to disagree and do your part to reduce the hostility? The truth is no one is superior to anyone else, it just stupid grandiose people who think they are. And one person is more under siege than another depending on "Where" you work. The office politics dictates your placement in the popular group.
Solution: find where you comfortably fit if it means moving from job to job yearly. Because when you find that comfort level, nursing is the most awesome rewarding career known to man!! ?
My experience says endure as much negativity that you can until you find your clinical niche, get those credentials to secure a mobile career future, then go job to job, setting to setting until you find that harmonious team. If you're in management or administration then it's your job to make your unit harmonious through aggressive firing and hiring until it get's right. Code of conduct is in every employees handbook in some form and is about how you treat each other. :argue: keep it at zero tolerance related to disrespect & poor treatment of others and get the balls to get rid of any violators regardless of their competence or years on the job.
I am with a group at the airport who concur that the two of you (you & billie39) come across as an example of the bully on a target in the early stage. symptom: the tone of words in a conversation on just opinions. guess who the bully is.
It's not the honesty about the topic that makes it destructive / hostile it's the manner / tone /disrespectful or insensitive way in which it is conveyed to a person.
When I give my opinion why do I have to "report it...or just go away"? versus point taken. or I see your point, but I disagree.
Your words to billie39 and for others to read are volatile / inflammatory; examples:
- "...get over the black thing"
- "...all you do is attack me"
- "...try thinking outside the box"
- "have you considered...you are a racist?"
Versus a sensitive neutral tone like: I see that still is an issue for folks or I don't share that opinion.
"I" apologize if I offended billie39. And the same to you, but I get the impression anything I write you will attack.
Experience teaches a lot without a visual.
Your comments "I am not particularly proud of the color of my skin...where my ancestors came from..." says a lot about you.
Rhetorical question: Aren't you female and the USA society's definition of white in appearance?
nursenow
302 Posts
Those are the exact same things that go on between nurses of all races. I gurantee the white nurses are doing the same thing to you(and each other) and it is not because you are black. Maybe it is time for alot of people to get over the black thing and accept the fact that just because someone does you wrong it doesn't mean they are racist. Try just being a nurse.