Nursing a prejudiced Pt.

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Have had several prejudiced patients over the years, but one springs to mind immediately because he was a Mexican/ Indian Asian, who happened to be extremely light skinned and very Caucasian looking, with the name of Jones. Only found out when his Indian relative who looked Caucasian but had an Indian accent arrived. He wasn't overtly racist but let slipped to the night nurse that he preferred the white nurses because they appeared more competent and kind. It was difficult being objective from that point! How do others handle this silliness?

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Have had several prejudiced patients over the years, but one springs to mind immediately because he was a Mexican/ Indian Asian, who happened to be extremely light skinned and very Caucasian looking, with a name of Jones. Only found out when his Indian relative who looked Caucasian but had an Indian accent arrived. He wasn't overtly racist but let slipped to the night nurse that he preferred the white nurses because they appeared more competent and kind. It was difficult being objective from that point! How does others handle this silliness?

I couldn't keep up with the who's who there ...but sometimes, I'm mildly amused by people who unwittingly say derogatory things about my own ethnicity to me. I don't look the way they'd expect someone like me to look, so they have no idea who they're talking to.

Occasionally, I'll use the opportunity to help them explore and clarify their feelings (without letting on or being accusatory). Other times, I'm too busy to care and simply move on with my day.

People say all sorts of strange or inappropriate things about all sorts of subjects.

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Just find it intriguing that when you are in a compromised position of illness that someone can still find the time to differentiate between carers. My illness would preoccupy me.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

If at all possible, I would refuse that assignment in the future, and let the Powers and other nurses know why. Idiots (and, IMHO, rasism is a hallmark of, saying this politically correct way, very diminished intellectual abilities) hardly ever can be persuaded to change, and the battle generally doesn't worth my time or my efforts.

And if the unit's best "vein witches" happen to be either white but obviously foreign-born, or purely American but obviously not white, than, well, too bad for you, sir/ma'am. You wanted "only white and American" nurses, so here's for you ;)

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Katie I wished my OS allowed for such an option but wouldn't I be discriminating? Could I then choose to remove myself from overly tall or too fat or grumpy patients? I completely agree with the diminished accuity but then wouldn't that exclude all right wingnuts;)?

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.
Katie I wished my OS allowed for such an option but wouldn't I be discriminating? Could I then choose to remove myself from overly tall or too fat or grumpy patients? I completely agree with the diminished accuity but then wouldn't that exclude all right wingnuts;)?

"The guy from xxx-b seems to be concerned with caregivers' race... you 'now... that type of guy again... yep, only Americans, only Whites.... well, I am just concerned about what kind of review he would provide... you 'now, customer service really matters... yes, I would appreciate if you go speak with him... and with family as well... before that, I am not comfortable caring for him. I'll do my best to finish the shift without accidents, and I can speak with Nurse A if she is ok with switching tomorrow"

Repeat as needed, but try to hold your ground. Use ONLY as necessary for exploiting that Holy Customer Service issue for your own benefits. Grumpy/just plain rude/non-compliant/clockers should not be a problem. Excessively heavy ones, especially full-care, are known hazard for nurses, and should be cared for accordingly.

And no, it is not discrimination. It is the patient discriminating against you for incredibly stupid reason, so you should not feel guilty. You just want to provide The Most Satisfactory Customer Service, amen.

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Patient wasn't discriminating against me, just apparently all non whites, whilst he himself was non white, although it was impossible to tell. I'm always afraid to discuss such issues with patients because they generally have a valid if skewed reason. The heavy, tall, grumpy patients, I was just being facetious!

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Prejudice always comes under judgemental for me and I believe that judgemental people have real problems distinguishing about what to be judgemental about. I tend to if possible stay away from such people mostly because of the hypocrisy.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I am a black nurse in a southern state, but racial prejudice can occur anywhere.

I have dealt with my share of covert and overt racism from patients, such as the lovely gentleman who called me a "black __" (rhymes with 'pitch' but starts with a 'B') and told me, "Go back to Africa" (I am not from Africa).

When people saw me working the floor, they regularly assumed I was a housekeeper, cook, receptionist, nurses aide or medication tech. They were often surprised that I was the RN house supervisor. Thus, some make lazy judgments about those of us who belong to racial groups that have been typecast as being undereducated.

Here is the deal...I cannot change peoples' views, nor will I expend the effort to try. I can only change my reactions. In addition, I will remove myself from the presence of a verbally abusive patient or family member without hesitation because life is too short to deal with flagrant foolishness.

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Hear, hear, Commuter! So very well said. People's views sometimes takes a lifetime to construct and the effort is almost always wasted because ignorance is the progenitor. Thank you for the advice re changing my reaction. I myself am guilty. I look at Trump's hair and I cannot help but think the bleach surely must be having an effect:sarcastic:.

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Simply kill them with kindness. Ignore any slurs or rudeness. He won't be there forever. Maybe when a non white nurse/doctor saves his life, he won't care so much about color.

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Specializes in LTC, Rehab.

To me it's a little similar (but racism is far worse) as when I have a patient who makes political/social statements that are the opposite of mine. I've dealt with those, as well as racists, by just focusing on what they need medically, being polite, and going on to the next patient. It's about all you can do.

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