I have been working as a registered Nurse for six months now and cannot help but recognize that people consistently pre-judge me. I am a young African American female and multiple times during my shifts people assume that I am a CNA. The state came to our facility and they also assumed that I was a LPN.
There is a white new graduate nurse who got promoted to nurse supervisor a month after working at my facility. She has an associate degree while I'm attending an ivy league nursing school to obtain my BSN.
I'm just wondering if there are other nurses out there who experience prejudice in nursing.
Hello I have been working as a registered Nurse for six months now and cannot help but recognize that people consistently pre-judge me. I am a young African American female and multiple times during my shifts people assume that I am a CNA. The state came to our facility and they also assumed that I was a LPN. There is a white new graduate nurse who got promoted to nurse supervisor a month after working at my facility. She has an associate degree while Im attending an ivy league nursing school to obtain my BSN. Im just wondering if there are other nurses out there who experience prejudice in nursing.[/quote']
You think you have it bad? I'm a Hispanic Make nurse LOL!!!!! Don't worry, sometimes we tell ourselves that people think less of us but that is mainly in our own head!!!! Enjoy nursing, build relationships and all will fall into place. True story....Cleaning crew manager: "Sir we need to clean a spill on the hall way" Me: "Right away sir!".... I run find the mop and cleaning supplies in the closet and rush back.... Me: " here you go sir" ... The cleaning crew manager:" why are you asking me to clean?, what do we pay you for?".... Me: "oh so sorry (fake broken English accent) but I have patients to take care of and I'm almost late to my shift in the Cath Lab"..... After that he apologized and I just laughed it off so did the Cath Lab that day LMAO
It's funny to me when white people try to give their two cents to a minority dealing with racism-perceived or real.
Whoa.
I'm white and I grew up in a very depressed black and hispanic neighborhood.
I've dealt with racism: filthy names, physical threats and even surprised comments such as "What are you doing in this neighborhood?"... um I live here...
I will give my two cents because I lived it... or is it okay to treat me like crap because I'm white?
Maybe some folks need to realize that white people aren't all the racist pigs they like to think they are and that racism can exist in all races.
I worked in the heart of the deep south for many years; I really did not notice racism in regards to nurses. Some of the best nurses I ever worked with were black. We have some black doctors that are awesome, and the patients absolutely LOVE them. What I have found, many times over, is that if you are a male nurse, people automatically assume you are a doctor. We have a black male respiratory therapist, and the patients assume he is a doctor.
Yes, and it's funny to me when non-whites see racism in complete nonsense situations, just because they are conditioned by society to think that frickin EVERYTHING is because of the colour of their skin. I'm not saying it doesn't happen. I'm just saying that it doesn't happen nearly as often as people imagine.
And your comment was pretty ignorant too if you think about it. The idea that non-whites are the only ones who get discriminated against is laughable. Then again, society teaches us now that it's not discriminating if the target is white. That must be where that comes from.
Ok, off my soapbox now. Flame away guys. This has just become a pet peeve of mine since moving to the States. Never really dealt with discrimination, against Caucasians or others, back home. Thought it was wrong, no matter who the target was. Didn't realize that was wrong until coming here...
Oh, and to add, this mentality had really been a double edged sword. Where I currently work, not ONE SINGLE TIME have I seen any instances of AA people get discriminated against or treated badly because of the colour of their skin. Want to ask how many times I've had patients refer to me as 'the stupid white nurse' because I didn't bend to their every whim? Think any of those times had negative repercussions on the patient? Think the media was called because of my being treated badly because I'm white?
Yeah, so because you don't see it, it doesn't happen, right?
You would be in serious denial if you believe that white privilege doesn't exist. I've got news for you: it does. Now whether it is at play in regards to the OP is an entirely different story. But I don't like it when non-minorities try to minimize what minorities feel or experience; it reeks of arrogance.
As for your other post, way to misconstrue the post. She wasn't stating that ADNs are "incompetent"; she is one herself, if you hadn't notice. But it is odd that a new grad with no experience is instantly promoted after only a month of experience.
Oh, and to add, this mentality had really been a double edged sword. Where I currently work, not ONE SINGLE TIME have I seen any instances of AA people get discriminated against or treated badly because of the colour of their skin. Want to ask how many times I've had patients refer to me as 'the stupid white nurse' because I didn't bend to their every whim? Think any of those times had negative repercussions on the patient? Think the media was called because of my being treated badly because I'm white?
So it's real when it happens to you, but not when it happens to people of color?
I'm white and I grew up in a very depressed black and hispanic neighborhood.
I've dealt with racism: filthy names, physical threats and even surprised comments such as "What are you doing in this neighborhood?"... um I live here...
I will give my two cents because I lived it... or is it okay to treat me like crap because I'm white?
Maybe some folks need to realize that white people aren't all the racist pigs they like to think they are and that racism can exist in all races.
I don't think anyone ever said that all white people are racist pigs and that it's ok to discriminate against whites.
I just find it interesting that several posters automatically become defensive stating "well it happens to me, too." And at the same time they are minimizing the OP's concerns.
Since it happened to you too, do you have any support/advice for the OP?
I am an African American female nurse, with a double Masters in nursing and public health. People make assumptions about me as well. I happen to believe those assumptions are made because I look very young. I also happen to attribute some of those assumptions to me being an African American.
Those of you who are quick to say that the OP's experiences are not race related, just pause and think of this. Racism still exists. Period. It exists in nursing, and it exists outside of nursing. In addition, to continue to deny that it exists, or to jump to the conclusion and continue to say "this is not race related" contributes to why we are not further ahead on frank conversations on race. Just because you say that it's not racism, doesn't make it so.
The second we are willing to admit that there is racial bias, sexual bias, age bias, call it where it lives, and deal with it by having open frank conversations, we will be able to make strides. Until then, we will remain stuck.
To the OP: I find that me being a young, black nurse in a mainly non-black environment, and being confident in my skills, earns me further respect of my colleagues. And those who don't respect me, well, I don't pay them much attention
I think if I had a nickle for every time someone assumed I was not on their level and got a rude awakening, I would be a very rich woman. You just need to have pride and confidence in yourself, hold your head up high, and be a good nurse. Period. That will speak for itself, believe me.
Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.
I always thought that being older would be a hindrance to me, but now that I have a job, everyone, mostly assumes that I have been a nurse longer than I have. I have been a nurse just under 2 years. I see pts and MDs and residents be really mean to the younger nurses and not to me simply because I am older. It isn't fair and when I can do something about it, I do.
Please remain respectful - this can be a very volatile topic and we ask that everyone remain respectful. Debate the topic, not the poster. Thanks everyone!
liberated847
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