EmerNurse

Both healthsystems I work in have implemented this flu or mask this year. I got the shot simply because I've never had a problem with it in the past.... BUT.. I do have a problem when this is directed only at nurses, not docs, not techs, etc. ANYONE who comes in contact with a patient should have the same rule. Now administration, heh, they don't have to worry, do they?

First, agree with everyone who says treat everyone with respect and dignity and even if you are accused of racism, you will move on with a clear heart. That being said, had one psych guy, who visited our ER 3-4 times a week, insist that he didn't want "that gringa" taking care of him... um, that would be me .

Yep same in our ER, both pedi and adults. I finally decided that people seriously don't think of going to "the EMERGENCY room". What they think of with vomiting x1 at 0300 is "hmm I should go to THE DOCTOR". And who's the doctor at 0300? The ER. Doesn't matter if they're insured or not. We're the 24 hour clinic, that's all.

How bout "just answer the question ma'am, please." ME (in triage with about 15 people waiting for me): Did you have a flu shot this year? HER: Well, um, no, you see, I don't believe in them, because , um one time a few years ago... ME So that's NO? Good... How much do you weight? HER: Well, I used to weight a lot more than I do now, but then 15 years ago... ARGH you get the picture...

OUCH! So sorry to hear you've gone through this. I had a similar experience, not as a new grad, but in a new specialty (PICU) where they had a "formal" preceptorship, but it was so insanely disorganized, nothing I knew was recognized and any questions I had were met with a roll of the eyes - c'mon, we're talking little kids here, I HAVE to know this stuff right, don't I? All through the perceptorship program the lead instructor kept telling us "if you feel this isn't for you, you should get out now". Well, after a very good midterm evaluation, I said, thanks but no thanks. At my age, I'm darned if I'll be treated like a moron and a burden. Then I was told I was "unprofessional" for quitting the preceptorship (go figure. Yep, I was sick to my stomach and nerved up for every single day I went in - loved the nursing part, HATED the way I was treated. If it keeps up, go find another place. No one should have to endure feeling so bad they're physically sick over a situation. And no situation should make someone feel that bad. Unfortunately, nursing has more than it's share of those situations. On the good side, there ARE great floors and units where the staff is supportive, kind and helpful, even in the midst of a chaotic workload. You'll find yours. As for the language thing... I have that everywhere I work in my city (agency) and I just say HUH? a lot with a blank stare - eventually people figure out it's easier to speak English than to repeat themselves every 5 seconds LOL.

1. Bring your baby in to the ER for a "fever" of 99.0 ("no, I didn't take his temperature but he felt hot") and forget to bring diapers, formula and other supplies for the baby, AND for the toddler who keeps running the halls. 2. Leave your sick 1 year old lying on the stretcher with the SIDE RAILS DOWN while you sit in a chair yakking on the phone. 3. Come in to the ER with a c/o vag bleeding but don't bring any pads (and it turns out to be your period a day late). 4. ETOH of 246 and you get out of the stretcher and pee in the hallway - here come the restraints, sweetie. 5. Call out NURSE!!! every single time anyone walks past your room, even though your nurse has been in there every 5 minutes and we all know it. Yep, we'll walk all the way around the floor to avoid passing your room. 6. (What do you mean, only FIVE??) Family members who stand at the doorway or curtain and stop everyone who walks by to ask for something, or how long will it be, etc, ad nauseum... 7. The parents in #1 who go into full-fledged hysterics when it turns out the baby needs an IV and blood work and blame US because we have to stick the poor thing. ARGH. Ok Enough.

I'm glad to see this thread continue, though I'd like to hear more from the OP's perspective, since that's the topic of this thread. I do have a comment though: I think that a lot of the "but WE'RE discriminated against too!" posts are a knee jerk reaction to guilt that's been drummed into us from an early age. I don't believe most of those posts are designed to take attention away from the very important topic at hand. From my perspective as a white female, I know that if I allow myself to really THINK HARD about prejudice against AA's in this country, it makes me feel just awful. That's a hard feeling to take. My family came to this country from Europe in the early 1900's, were dirt poor coming through Ellis Island, and had to struggle for food every day. They never owned slaves, and were too busy dodging their own challenges to attack anyone else. But because I am white, I feel lumped together with the white people who DID do these awful horrible things to an entire group of people. I feel guilty on behalf of my color, if you will. It's easier to play "I can top that", or push the issue into the past and neglect the still-ongoing issues of today, than to think about it objectively (even when it's hurful to do so). I don't WANT anyone to have been treated like that, I wish I could go back and make it right, change the past so that people were't like that. I want to go back and undo the Holocaust too but because I'm not German, I don't get that same guilt feeling, if that makes sense. That said - and I hope it made some sense, I have two questions for the OP and other AA nurses, since I work in a VERY diverse area: 1. If so much of the discrimination you face is insidious, rather than overt, how can a fellow nurse recognize such instances, and even avoid making them accidently. Are there differences in your experience from co-workers vs. patients/families? 2. What can others, who WANT to help change things, do to help get rid of this issue, keeping in mind that most of us are not in charge or supervisory positions. This is a great topic, and I think if we all stare it straight in the eye, however uncomfortable it is, together we can make some much-needed changes.

Agree with the other posters that Miami Children's and Jackson Memorial (Holtz) are terrific. Jackson tends to get more of the bizarre cases (on all their floors), is also a teaching hospital (affiliated with Miller School of Medicine) and does a TON of research. If you are interested in research stuff, that's the place to go. Just to be fair, there are several other hospitals in the area that have NICUs that are also considered very good. The two above are considered the "best" unofficially (don't ask me stats) and are well known. Good luck!

>>>Am I missing something? I was not aware that "queer" was an acceptable way to refer to homosexuals. Am I behind the times of what? THANK YOU, I have been thinking it as my hair stands on edge but was unsure how to approach it. Oh phew, me too! I've never heard the word "queer" used except unkindly (fortunately rarely) and I thought maybe it was one of those things like words that are acceptable but only for that population, to use? Not read all the posts yet so if someone's answered this quesiton already, thanks.

OK phew I took the test today... AND PASSED!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe I passed it - kept reading the paper over and over and over! I used Gasparis, Woodruff (though didn't like it as much honestly - failed his challenge exam twice!) and also the AACN NIT review course, which I thought was excellent (audio CDs). I had the Dennison book but LOST the CD - I'm sure I'll find it now that I'm done LOL! At any rate, I'm going to enjoy this weekend of NOT having to study!!! Love ya all and keep up the great work!

OK phew I took the test today... AND PASSED!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe I passed it - kept reading the paper over and over and over! I used Gasparis, Woodruff (though didn't like it as much honestly - failed his challenge exam twice!) and also the AACN NIT review course, which I thought was excellent (audio CDs). I had the Dennison book but LOST the CD - I'm sure I'll find it now that I'm done LOL! At any rate, I'm going to enjoy this weekend of NOT having to study!!! Love ya all and keep up the great work!

LOL I've been a Laura devotee' for many years so of course I have her review course. I saw here at an Acute Skills seminar a few weeks ago - she really is as good as we all seem to think she is! What a blast. Didn't know she was only 4'11", though - I can just picture her now - no wonder she tells idiot docs to "sit down!" before reaming them out LOL. Seriously, I've all but got her stuff memorized after all this time, and I'm using other resources as well, but I just feel SO unready. Have to get out of this "what if I fail?" mindset. ARGH.

LOL I've been a Laura devotee' for many years so of course I have her review course. I saw here at an Acute Skills seminar a few weeks ago - she really is as good as we all seem to think she is! What a blast. Didn't know she was only 4'11", though - I can just picture her now - no wonder she tells idiot docs to "sit down!" before reaming them out LOL. Seriously, I've all but got her stuff memorized after all this time, and I'm using other resources as well, but I just feel SO unready. Have to get out of this "what if I fail?" mindset. ARGH.

WOW - not been on the board for a while but have been studying hard. CONGRATS to the folks who've passed - you're awesome! Anyone using the Core Review for High Acuity and Critical Care (from AACN) book? It has 3 practice tests and the questions are beyond hard. If the test is like this, I'd better hang it up now! OK so I'm stressing - I admit it - but my test date is in a couple weeks and I still feel SO unready. You awesome people who passed - any advice?

WOW - not been on the board for a while but have been studying hard. CONGRATS to the folks who've passed - you're awesome! Anyone using the Core Review for High Acuity and Critical Care (from AACN) book? It has 3 practice tests and the questions are beyond hard. If the test is like this, I'd better hang it up now! OK so I'm stressing - I admit it - but my test date is in a couple weeks and I still feel SO unready. You awesome people who passed - any advice?