Only African American Nurse on Staff

[nette1022]

I need advice from you guys. I am working as a charge nurse/supervisor in a LTC facility. The dilemma is that I am the only African American Nurse on staff. I have had several staff members volunteer to me that they are not prejudiced because a black family moved into their neighborhood when they were teenagers or that they went to school with a black person, and they turned out to be really nice people. When I make a comment about something that happens there is one particular staff member (my peer) that will say "You know that happened because your black" and laugh. They have made this comment around a room full of people at times, and it is embarrassing. The other issue is that they are taking things that I say and reporting to my other peers that I was angry when I wasn't, and include comments that I may have made but attach it to the fact that I was supposedly angry to change the message. I recently was confronted about being angry about something that was passed on to me, when in reality I was speaking to one of the only nurses that I could talk to and the conversation was about, how I could present help to someone with the knowledge that I have to help them understand a skill that they are unfamiliar with. I am a very friendly outgoing person, but I have been keeping to myself to avoid the drama, yet I still get put into the drama. I need this job to pay bills, and I am looking for another job. I need ideas and some options, I don't want to make my family suffer financially: yet this environment is making me nervous. I don't say anything negative about anyone, and I don't add to the gossip; especially since I know my comments will be distorted. I recently just finished school and I need money to pay for expenses related to that. Any advice guys?

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

I am so sorry. It is amazing to me that this kind of bigotry still exists within our profession. Unfortunately the only advice I can offer is find another job. You shouldn't have to wake to work every day for a place that makes you uncomfortable simply based on the color of your skin.

[nette1022]

Guys thank you so much. It is nice if nothing else but to have started a dialogue about this. Esme12 I am going to take this as a learning experience, I think God exposes us to things for us to be of service with it later. All things happen for a reason. I am hurt to the core though, no lie, it's lonely going to work and not being able to talk to anyone because you don't know who you can trust. I shared this experience because it's a lesson on being culturally aware beyond our patients and being sensitive to each other, even beyond being nurses. I love the responses they give me hope, I thought my perception of this experience was off...Now I know I am not so wrong in my feelings or this situation. I have spent the last 2 years in school I am so distracted the last thing on my brain is retaining the info for boards... I WILL SURVIVE....although I can understand why people go postal now..lol

[missfreda]

I just experienced the "angry black woman" stereotype at a LTC facility. Accused of something I did not do and was terminated without the opportunity to give my side of the story. I have been a nurse for 10 years with a clean board of nursing record. I can relate to how ppl will come together as group to achieve a common goal. The old adage is that " if they all saying the same thing it must be true." I fought back after I was falsely accused and reported to the board of nursing. I filed a discrimination claim with EEOC. I reported everything on the facility that I could prove, launched several investigations, contacted the news media, state dept, board of nursing, nurses association, family members and stood my ground. All because they started a LIE! The end result, the facility along with 14 other LTC facilities in the corporation SOLD to new owners. Stand up for yourself and fight back. Enough already with nurses fighting against each other! Im in this profession because I do care about ppl. Stop running and start holding ppl accountable for their actions. Sue them if you have to. But, invest in insurance to protect your license. This is getting RIDICULOUS!

[missfreda]

Different folks, same strokes! You cant keep running from job to job every time something makes you uncomfortable. How about standing up for yourself? Every facility will have some unhappy, jealous, envious co-worker who likes drama and workplace politics. Don't engage in those conversations, and learn to enjoy your own company. When you can go to work, do your job and not be looking to "fit in where you can get in" ...things can be tolerable. No one has to be anti-social, but learn by listening, watching and not entertaining gossip. No one is perfect and there is no perfect job. People are human and we all make mistakes, but recognize the fact the we live in an evil world. Pray constantly and do your best.

[Alnitak7]

I don't want to run, but I know that I cannot stay. I worry that they will turn the heat up if I turn in a notice and try to work it out or should I just leave and explain why I am leaving. I am trying to teach my children not to run away from their problems, but this is beyond stupid and petty.

No one can run away from their problems but they can run away from the problems of others.

[Alnitak7]

I am working as a charge nurse/supervisor in a LTC facility. The dilemma is that I am the only African American Nurse on staff. I need this job to pay bills, and I am looking for another job. I need ideas and some options, I don't want to make my family suffer financially: yet this environment is making me nervous. Any advice guys?

I hope you're not living too far up north or you'll always run into trouble. I always thought blacks should work with other blacks and it's specifically because of the misunderstandings you describe. This way, if someone is genuinely acting up they can be reprimanded by someone of their own race so it won't be labeled "a racial argument." If you go into private home care or a live-in job you can be matched up with the right clients and co-workers so these problems are less frequent. On certain live-ins they might also let you take your children to work. Please don't just give up.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

To be totally fair, not all black Americans have had the same life experiences. Some of us were exposed to exclusion and ostracism very early in life, whereas others didn't experience it well into adulthood.

Personally, I was born and raised in a county in coastal southern California that had less than a 3 percent black population, so I grew up accustomed to being the only AA person in certain classes, work sites, and so forth. And although I experienced racial discrimination at times, it almost always came from another ethnic minority group (read: the one that comprises California's majority population).

On the other hand, I've met other AAs who grew up in diverse areas. These people claim to not have experienced blatant discrimination and exclusion until they ventured or relocated to a less diverse area.

The moral of the story is that not all black people have had to deal with the same issues or with the same severity. I know my life's story might have turned out very different if I had been born to two high-powered attorneys and raised in a wealthy suburb of DC.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Different folks, same strokes! You cant keep running from job to job every time something makes you uncomfortable. How about standing up for yourself?

I imagine the OP's coworkers might refer to her as 'intimidating' or some other angry black female stereotype if she were to stand up for herself. Double standards exist, but they are difficult to view from the lenses of some people.

[RunninOnCoffee]

I have no advise for you, however I wanted to say I'm really sorry you are having to go through that and from your post and responses you are the type of nurse I would love to work with. Wishing you nothing but the best!

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

So my go to "joke" is why are you saying that? Is it cause I'm Hispanic cause that would be racist.

I saying it in a super joking matter but as soon as someone hears the word racism you know people slow their roll. That's also what I say. Hey slow your roll, that's not what I meant or you taking it too far.

Start looking ASAP, at the same time don't be a doormat. People don't pick up signs well. It's better to come out and say what you feel.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

"you know that it is because you are black"

"Well, I do know that your remark is racist. And is that because you are white?"

Racist remarks (or remarks about religion, sexual orientation, gender) are illegal. I would start with your parent company and make a complaint.

To be undermined in your position because of remarks regarding your race is not familiar to me in my part of the country, however, should not be tolerated.

I am sorry this is happening to you.

[Phoenix2541]

It is a very unsettling feeling when you have to contend with the latent or covert racism of people who are comfortable clustered up in their provincial belief systems. I say clustered b/c I know it is often a corporate culture that will allow someone to make racist statements. No fear of reprisals is what keeps people comfortable. I am a biracial female (black/white) who is from up north and now lives in the south. I can't tell you how many times I have lived this scenario. I have been made to cry (because I was so stunned and blindsided, and I have politely & quickly ripped someone a new one (while smiling).. when the hand called for it. I see this pattern usually affects AA women in the workplace, AA men or men of color do not run into this crap often or at all. Respect is a must, there is no two ways about it, you lose out on the benefit of an honest working relationship when someone has to be on guard for fear of someone else's insecurities. Don't even think your own wont do it to you too.. Yes they will, especially if there is a cultural divide. Meditate on it, always take 5 before you speak and seek out what you know is true for you.