I'm planning to begin a nursing career in the fall of 2007 (accl. BSN program) and was wondering about something. I have a STRONG southern accent. I'm not ashamed of it, I love my accent. I had no idea I even had one until I was 16 and while on a trip to California some people let me know. The question I have is could I anticipate any issues or trouble with my accent? Also, and PLEASE be honest, it won't hurt my feelings (much =) but what would your reaction be if you are from a place where southern accents are not common and heard your nurse have a twang to the voice?
I work in the healthcare industry and deal with RNs, Quality Improvement personnel, Administrators, Drug Reps, etc on a daily basis and most of the ladies (99% of the people I work with are female) don't seem to mind. However, I feel like a few are looking down their respective nose at me while I talk. I even had a person who thought they were on mute one time say to a group I was on a conference call with "this guy from KEN-tucky thinks he's going to teach us something". One of those real sarcastic tones. I rolled my eyes and smiled because I knew they were the ones making an a$$ out of themselves.
I'm already somewhat apprehensive about being a guy in this profession and fighting off sterotypes. I had never given much thought to any preconceived notions about my my voice though. Will I have another sterotype to deal with? Honestly, what do you think when you hear a guy (or a lady) with a southern accent? Please don't think we're dumb....
Any feedback or commentary would be greatly appreciated!
I'm a Northerner who just moved South. I think that the southern accent has a calming affect and sounds truly sincere. However, as you will learn in nursing school, you have to be careful with phrases such as "honey" and "darlin'" which I know that southerners LOVE to say. Southern people seem so inviting.
In the medical profession it is imperative that people be able to understand what you are saying so that they are truly well informed. Sometimes I have to have one of my southern colleagues interpret what I'm saying because I don't have that southern drawl. If you stay in the south you probably won't have a problem but as you venture out into the rest of the world just speak grammatically correct and let your southern hospitality shine through! Good luck to you!
I just completed a 13 week contract in Maine...there wasn't a day that went by that my accent wasn't commented on at least 20 times a day. Some of my co-workers and patients dealt with it; the true Yankees let their true colors show a little too much to my likin'. As soon as I opened my mouth my Nurse Manager treated me as though I was the dumbest thing walking. She and a co-worker asked me about makin' grits for a breakfast the office staff was having...I told them "Sorry I don't eat nor make that junk. We only feed that to the stupid Yankees who think we are all "Beverly Hillibillies"; the same ones we say "Thank y'all now y'all come on back and visit usins any 'ole time yeh hear" as we laughed all the way to the bank (after the tourons left our great state). In all fairness, when I worked in New York and Chicago my accent wasn't an issue...they respected the fact that I am a skilled professional and treated me as such.
I probably shouldn't have done this, but one time, when I was triaging an obviously "not in labor" woman, her boyfriend, who was Hispanic kept mocking my every word. At first I just laughed until it was obvious that he was becoming malicious. I got even more angry thinking about the fact that we were IN the South and his accent was more out of place than mine! Now mind you, I am not in the least predjudiced, but I couldn't resist answering his question of, "Kin we'uns head fer tha house?" with, "Si Seniorr" ...
Honestly, I think for most people accents don't matter as much as content and grammer. I moved to Virginia from the West Coast 5 years ago and I love the southern accents. What I can't stand (no matter what accent one is using) is bad manners, bad grammer, and an obvious lack of thoughtfulness.
Don't let it bother you about the accent. I have had alot of southerners give me crap about my NY accent. Then again I can't go anywhere in the world without someone commenting about my accent. Just think it makes you "UNIQUE"
ps. I haven't lived in NY for the last 35 years, been in Colorado, Florida, and Louisiana. Somethings never leave you!!
Years ago in another life, a co-workers' heavy southern accent was held against him before even showing up for his first day of work. The label of being a "loser" was assigned when the individual called several weeks prior just to check-in with his new work section to be, he never recovered. My boss at the time told me he was personally put-off when the guy stated, with a very heavy and slow drawl, "Hi, this is XXX and I'm just calling to see how things are going over there..." I mentioned to my boss that accents have nothing to do with job performance; my boss (and friend) remained non-committal. Unfortunately, when the individual reported for work, opinions went further down hill. I tried to insulate the co-worker/subordinate and educate others about wrongful biases.
The guy was short, heavy set, and looked terrible in uniform which wasn't completely his fault. Jump suits more tailored for his physique were nearly impossible to attain. His appearance exacerbated adverse opinions.
My point is this, even though the guy was at least an adequate worker, many around and above me were prejudiced and couldn't be swayed otherwise. In the healthcare field, we are cautioned against using our culture's values to judge others. When I became boss, I had to constantly advocate for this guy when it came to handing out assignments, advanced schooling, and performance ratings. Most are aware that bias exists for race, gender, and age. Don't forget it can also exist for how one speaks.
I must be the ONLY one here who took the term "God's country" to mean a beautiful area. Good GRIEF.
Yep. You were the only one or one of the few who took it that way.
How in the world could he/she have meant "God's country" to mean a beautiful area when there is beauty all over America, not just the South? I took it as southern arrogance. I guess we all have different perceptions some things. But I have lived around it and I took it as that because I have heard it often.
i am working in an place with people from ALL over the world, accents are a wonderful thing and should be embraced by all, however i do find myself asking people to repeat things more than once, my be its me that has the problem....not them!!!
Yep. You were the only one or one of the few who took it that way.
How in the world could he/she have meant "God's country" to mean a beautiful area when there is beauty all over America, not just the South? I took it as southern arrogance. I guess we all have different perceptions some things. But I have lived around it and I took it as that because I have heard it often.
And i take it that someone cannot have pride in the area where they are from or where they live w/o someone calling it arrogance, either.
I have to tell you that I love southern accents, and I am from the Northeast Coast (PA). In fact, when we are having a difficult day on the unit (ICU) myself and a few of my colleagues attempt southern accents (ala Steel Magnolias) and it really lightens the mood. Be proud of your southern ways. And welcome to nursing!!
4lifenrn
2 Posts
I'm a Northerner who just moved South. I think that the southern accent has a calming affect and sounds truly sincere. However, as you will learn in nursing school, you have to be careful with phrases such as "honey" and "darlin'" which I know that southerners LOVE to say. Southern people seem so inviting.
In the medical profession it is imperative that people be able to understand what you are saying so that they are truly well informed. Sometimes I have to have one of my southern colleagues interpret what I'm saying because I don't have that southern drawl. If you stay in the south you probably won't have a problem but as you venture out into the rest of the world just speak grammatically correct and let your southern hospitality shine through! Good luck to you!