"i need help"

Liddle Noodnik · Mar 4, 2005

I and my colleague are a minority nurse. We share patient care responsibilities for elderly man who says to me that he will not allow my colleague to look after him because of my colleague's race. How will I handle the same situation and what will I do?

Is this a job that you got through an agency? You need to report this to your supervisor and they will work it out.

It is a hard thing to deal with - would you want to take care of someone who had an aversion to you? and at the same time, would you want to allow this kind of discrimination?

I know that in my experience sometimes the patient gets their way simply because the hassle wouldn't be worth it. But technically for the patient to refuse is illegal.

God bless you and good luck! Let us know the outcome!

msonurse · Mar 4, 2005

I and my colleague are a minority nurse. We share patient care responsibilities for elderly man who says to me that he will not allow my colleague to look after him because of my colleague's race. How will I handle the same situation and what will I do?

Reporting this is a good idea. Though thru experience I have found that when an elderly person feels this way there is nothing you can do about it. He is set in his ways. Sad but true. My suggestion is, is to let someone else care fot the patient and if noone else is available then the patient has a 'right' to refuse care. Just document, document and document. Because most likely he will say you are neglecting him when in reality he is refusing care.

Sis123 · Mar 4, 2005

I believe that in WA state, a hospital patient can refuse care from a particular nurse if they wish and it's legal. Last time I was a patient in a med surg unit recovering from surgery, I told my nurse that I did not wish to be cared for by a couple of heavily tattooed and pierced nurses (both young guys in their 20's) hanging around at the nurse's station. They didn't ask me why, they just were not assigned to me.

hheartt · Mar 5, 2005

Hi zoeboboey

Thank you for your reply. Most people I talked to they said the same thing, report and document. I think it's the best thing to do because it provides opportunities for the staff and other team members to review the incident and discuss its impact. I'll let the mngr. knows what happen so they can develop protocols to assist nurses and other team members in dealing with acts of racism. I strongly believe if this kind of situation is not address or initiated, it is likely to be repeated. Again, thank you so much :)

Best Regards,

HheartT

hheartt · Mar 5, 2005

It's nice to hear a good response from you guys. Yes I did document the incident. My next step is to tell the mngr. about the issue so action can be initiated in dealing with acts of racism. Thank you very much.. :nurse:

Liddle Noodnik · Mar 6, 2005

Hi zoeboboey
Thank you for your reply. Most people I talked to they said the same thing, report and document. I think it's the best thing to do because it provides opportunities for the staff and other team members to review the incident and discuss its impact. I'll let the mngr. knows what happen so they can develop protocols to assist nurses and other team members in dealing with acts of racism. I strongly believe if this kind of situation is not address or initiated, it is likely to be repeated. Again, thank you so much :)
Best Regards,
HheartT

I'm glad it helped - hey, like you said, these issues will continue to come up and you need the WHOLE TEAM on the same page!

Good luck!