Nursing Me Black

[NurseThis21]

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

[ArmyNurse801st]

You should try being caucasian in a governement facility... Not being a smartass but I have now learned quite a bit about being a "minority".

[ArmyNurse801st]

Amen to that!!

[nthabi64]

Amen Sister. As a nurse in South Africa where we have had these bad racial experiences, and sadly still do, your article really resonated with me and I believe most nurses here. Color should not determine who you are, or how you care for people. We are working harmoniously together as nurses in the hospital I work at, but there is still that tension. I hope we all feel like you do.

:heartbeat

[Conqueror+, BSN, RN]

Its great that you took the time to post your observations. Here are a few of mine:

1. If I understand correctly you are originally from the islands and/or are lighter skinned, this automatically makes you "less threatening" to non-blacks who understand that you do not have history in this country with them. That is a very longstanding and well known practice.

2. To say that any group of nurses work "at the county" makes you guilty of the same type of racism you claim to dislike.

3. Saying that groups for black nurses are not needed is the same as saying HBCU's (historically black colleges and universities) are not needed. You need to look at why they were formed in the first place. Again, that comes from arriving late in a very long, drawn out, bloody battle and making snap judgements from an outsiders perspective.

4. I too have been mistaken for housekeeping and have had patients refuse care from me. I have more recently had my medical director accuse my supervisor of writing a report for me because he refused to believe that I was capable of writing it myself.

5. I am the only AA in a very large sea of whites. I was recently told that I was hired to discredit a lawsuit from prior applicants.

6. The south does not have a longer history of integration, the north does. You know, the "promised land" ?

7. I believe that God has created us all equally but we do not live in heaven. Be your best and work hard.

8. I have prospered in SPITE OF racism, not because it doesn't exist.

[NurseThis21, BSN, RN]

Thanks so much everyone for all of your comments! I love to hear about other people's experiences and opinions!

My viewpoint still remains the same about being colorblind. I choose to challenge the status quo instead of just accepting it for what it is. I'd rather be the first person who does something outlandish and raise a couple of eyebrows. I feel that in the grand scheme of things, it's change for the better.

And don't get me wrong, I was born and raised in Chicago, no outsider here. From what I've seen and heard (especially within my own family), it's a fact that at least someone has to look at this issue from a different perspective.

Also, if you are a part of a race-specific union or organization, more power to you! I feel that it's up to you to find a support system that benefits you the most. I just haven't had very positive experiences within said unions, so obviously, it's not my cup of tea.

I really do hope that others understand what it is that I'm trying to convey. It's not that I want to ignore these pesky problems, it's that I want to be the voice of change (like Obama!) and embrace the enormous significance of our HUMAN element. I could care less what race you are; if you respect me, I'll respect you. For now, that's difficult for some people to come to terms with and with the supposed nurturing quality of nursing, it's even more apparent.

So I say to you, let your HUMAN element shine. Embrace those around you and take a second to see past the skin color, personality, and opinion. It's very possible to see someone for their heart and dignity. It may take a long time for everyone to get on the bandwagon, but I'm willing to wait.

Sometimes, it's okay to wear rose-colored glasses if you know how to work it!

Thanks again everyone! I've learned so much from all of you!

NurseThis21, BSN, RN

UIC Alumna

[Jasoninpa]

Hmmm. You seem to contradict yourself: you say people should all remove the cones and rods from their eyes and become colorblind, but then you say that black nurses are like diamonds. Which is it? Have respect to color, or no?

[NewAggieGrad09]

Loved this!!

Fellow African-American AND RN, BSN

[pednursedeb]

I am in my mid 50's and white. I also live in the South. I grew up when there were black and white entrances to places. When I asked my mom why she stated that these people were just ignorant and all people should have respect reguardless to color.

You have written a good article. I don't see many black nurses or hispanic nurses. I see a lot of CNA's of color. I always encourage them to go to nursing school.

You need to advocate for your own color as well as others. That is the only way you are going to see an increase in black nurses. We need them.

I know you and I may have different beliefs about things, but it doesn't make either of us a bad person.

I can work alongside anyone and work as a team as long as they are willing to work with me.

Please don't get discouraged. You need to continue to do the good job it sounds like you are doing.

I don't know if we will ever have a colorblind society, but I hope it does happen.

Good luck to you.

[coolazprozac]

I read your thread with interest and a little sadness. I am a African-American nurse with a BSN. I have several horror stories I could share with you starting with nursing school and up to the present. I want to say to you that I work in a hospital (up North) where black nurses are the Majority! We also have nurses of other minority backgrounds. I wish you could spend some time with us so you could see that you do have a place and you are needed and respected in your profession. My advice to you is to excel in what you do and wear your confidence on the outside at all times for all to see.

[Wishinonastar, BSN]

Bravo. That is the whole point. My patients are not black, white or any other color. They are people. Until every race can stop demanding to be noticed as different, how can they expect to be treated the same? If white people had white nurse's groups or any other groups it would be seen as racist. Why would it not be racist to have black groups? It is time to let go of these old notions and just be people. We are people. We are nurses. We have to set an example for others by refusing to allow race to be anything other than a demographic statistic.

[RN Randy]

AMEN and thanks for that post.

To simplify your point of view, YES! That's the point indeed!

As long as there are GROUPS, people will always be GROUPED.

But how far is a latino going to get when they call for disbanding all the GROUPS...

Good luck. You'll have just as much a chance as a white guy in Africa trying to start a NAAWP.

Do something productive.

Dissolve the NAACP.

Tell Jesse to shut up about race and concentrate on the Gospel he claims to spread.

and funny thing... I'd name some other races, but just can't think of anyone except Cesar Chavez, and he's dead.

Usually I get through my day without any race issues, up until the very moment someone BRINGS IT UP.... no matter how lovely the words are, it's been brought up, so someone is showing differentiation and inequality of races.

I could care less if you're a little green man from mars, till you make an issue of it, asking for ANYTHING AT ALL,

based on your race, be it good or bad.

I can safely say that I am middle aged and never in my life have I gotten anything because of my skin color, asked for anything because of my skin color, nor expected anything based on my skin color. For me, it's like asking for something because of my eye color.

All races have issues with all other races. How do you plan to change that?

Fix the Eastern/Western problem while you're at it.

Or just study scripture and be prepared for what is coming no matter what you think

you are gonna do about it, and don't worry, it will be colorblind.

Peace,

rb

[capba]

I work in a highly multi-cultural city and am grateful for the chance to learn about different cultures and people.

On our floor, there is an even mix of blacks, whites and asians, and they all bring something great and are excellent nurses. You may feel the odd one out where you are, but you are not alone!