Nursing Me Black

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? Nurses Announcements Archive Article

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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.

Nursethis21, BSN, RN

UIC Alumna

If you walk onto the floor and cant leave the color of your skin out of it, no matter what that color is, then you have a problem.

Yes times have changed! I said that to the person that assumes nurses are female. She is living in the past. I find that assumption more common in the older population.

I am white. Do you think I haven't lived with racism all my life? I have news for you. Black people are just as racist as everyone else.

I agree with you billie39 that racism is a problem but it bothers me that you seem to think it is only white against black. I guess you will not answer my question about your generaliztions about whites in your earlier post/s. Dont you think your view that all whites have a problem with the color of your skin is racist?

I guess it really does bother me that you consider me racist because I am telling you that you are doing the same thing you accuse white people of doing. I could care less about the color of your skin but you and white people both need to get over it when you are supposed to be focusing on patients. Feel free to finish with the last word and I am going to drop the subject.

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I am no racist cant possibly be. Your posts about accusing black people of racism are without mert. The majority who experience such treatment ARE legitimate in their complaints. Subtle racism hurts far more than overt. Subtle racism is usually in the form of

* Blocked or frustrated career progression

* Being kept on the same pay and clinical banding despite having years of experience etc

* Having to work twice as hard in order to prove ones self

* Being excluded from certain networks

* Over excessive monitoring because you are black

* Working longer and harder than their white counterparts

So that is what I am talking about when I talk about subtle racism

* Working in an institution which has policies that appear to exclude Blacks and other ethnic minorities or place them at a disadvantage when it comes to training and career progresson etc.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Guys, things can get a bit frustrating at times but can we try to be nice towards each other. If things continue to go the way it is going it could result in the thread being closed and that is something I would prefer doesn't happen.

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Wow! I'm speechless, so well written!! I can so relate with you, I'm south Asian and it always seems to me that I'm "proving" myself to everyone as well at college that I'm capable of becoming a nurse.

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Specializes in Adolescent & Adult Psychiatry.

Hmmmm, I wonder how a rainbow gets by on a daily basis...

With regards to my original post, the real meaning behind it is for us to accept ourselves for who we are as well as accept others for doing the same thing. As if we don't already see enough destruction in the world, there's no need to add to it and destroy ourselves.

It seems as if there's an argument for every argument and as we all know, a resolution has a difficult time following.

The answer's obvious. Love One Another. It may sound hippie, but it means so much. And never say it's impossible; we've built countless civilizations and have reached a breaking point in the most advanced technology. I'm sure we can return to the basics, sit down, and finally see eye to eye.

Sometimes, the simplest act is so difficult to do...

Again, thank you all for your great contributions to this thread. I'm speechless at how unique and cohesive our society is.

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Wow, as a beginning nursing student for Spring 2011 this article is very encouraging. No it's not all about race but we can't help but feel selfdoubt and in some cases "not as worthy" as the majority of our peers. I can tell you that I have been a Medical Assistant for 4 years at my current job and I am in deed the only black person there. We have 4 providers and a total staff of about 25. I definetly feel like a "jewel" in some aspect. I'll admit it's tough especially when you are literally left out of everything and pretty much looked over. I've worked my way up to Back Office Team Leader which in turn makes my job more challenging everyday. The dedication to myself is what lead to the promotion. If I didn't believe in me as a person and not just a "black person" then I would've quit a long time ago. I thank you for giving me a realistic expectation and preparing me to go into the nursing program with the most positive attitude, the will and the drive to succeed. Good Luck to you!!(and me as well):yeah:

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Great attitude ,but it is important that young black women see black nurses , I am 54 years old when i was 17 years old I worked in a hospital as a nurse assistant ,there were 2 black LPNs who trained me and i am ever so grateful to them , because they did teach me that what matter is that you do a good job and love your patients enough to feel that the job is worthwhile . That began my love for health care although i strayed away for 18 years due to raising my children once i retired from my career which i was in ,now at 54 i am going to school this fall at chamberlain school of nursing to pursue my dream. But I will be ever so grateful to the example of those two because it let me know that in spite of society we as black people can become whatever we choose.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

This article is amazing and very inspirational...... A nurse is a nurse.(period)

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You know what when it comes to being of different race than the majority of people in this country , " I can not fully walk in their shoes and they can not fully walk in mine ,because no one can deny that my experince in this country as a black person is different than someone from the majority white race,who's experince is also different . So what we have to do is get to know each other as individual people and find out what we do have in common and build from there .You all would be surprise just how much we do have in common and how important it is to listen to each other respectfully and accept differences respecfully. So let's get back to what we all have in common on this site that is the love of nursing and the goals of becoming and being good nurses.Love You all Nina56

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Hang in there secrteas and continue to do what is right, because if you are doing right it will work out !

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I live and work in the south and i have to agree with you being the minority in the nursing field. I personally am a very diverse person and love everyone, my children are mixed and i have friends of every color under the sun, however people are very racist down here, Just to walk in a public place with someone of a different race keeps everyone staring like you both are just wierd. I have also seen black nurses not trained properly for the job as well, which meant they would have to figure things out on thier own, This upset me very much, she was also told she wasnt allowed to ask her co workers for any assistance if it was needed, only her trainer( who wasnt training her properly). so yes i do see it and have seen it most of my life and becoming a nurse doesnt change the attitudes of NASTY PEOPLE.

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Specializes in med surge.

I also agree with this posting. I'm a new grad nurse and a student nurse at a local hospital until I pass my boards (fingers crossed on July). I see absolutely no diversity. When applying for my student job with a 3.9 Gpa, I never received calls back. I also noticed during my clinicał there were nurses, but not black nurses anywhere but county hospitals. However, housekeeping and food service was all black. On my current unit, there are only black techs, no nurses. I float around to different units and i see the same thing. I too constantly feel that I have to prove myself although my skills and patient interactions are stellar. I feel I can't make a mistake although my counterparts do so all the time. I constantly watch those in school with lesser skills get jobs because the nursing staff feel they would 'fit in' with the unit. It's almost like why bust my butt? It's super discouraging!

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