"No nurses of color....."

[Queen2u]

What in the world are we supposed to do when a patient makes it known that they "don't want any nurses of color taking care of them"?

There was a patient on my unit last week who mentioned this (I have no idea who she told this to, administration, the doctors, I have no idea who she notified). She was in her 20s and was not on the unit for mental illness issues at all, she had an OBGYN related surgery and was not under any sedative medications, she was able-bodied with full mental capacity! Thank goodness for the patient none of the nurses (all of whom but 2 out of 50-something nurses are people of color) knew about this patient's odd request until she was discharged from the hospital.

What I really wanted to do and say were unprofessional. What are we supposed to do when someone comes to hospital with this request?

[wannabe2008]

You should do the same thing we do when a patient doesn't want a male nurse like myself. Respect their wishes. That is their right. I have lost count of how many "macho" Mexican guys don't want us male nurses aroung their wife even during birth(which i personaly find to be a pretty sick attitude) but it is their right and we should repect it. I often run across patients that don't want Filipina nurses and we just roll with it. My job is not to change anyone's beliefs. It is to provide care whether I like the person or not.

[sequin121]

If this happens at our facilities, the patients are essentially told that we enjoy a diverse culture among our staff and patients and that we hire based on qualifications, not race. We also let them know that all staff are competent to care for them and that we do not assign staff based on patients' racial preference. We encourage them to support that philosophy but if they can't, they need to see treatment at other facilities, in the future.

[VictoriaGayle]

I do think racism is horrible.

But in health care you arent suppose to judge your patients just take care of them. So I'll be sweat heart to people that under normal circumstances I would not willingly be in the same room with.

Its probably best to try to meet their demands, so the staff doesn't have to put up with a bunch of drama and false accusations.

[ncat]

ridiculous and hurtful. i am not 'of color' but treasure my co-workers and friends that are.perhaps pt. should have been told all blood is red, all tears are salty but-not all people are that rude.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I always let my pts know that they may need to wait longer for assistance and then (although I look white) I proceed to let them know I do have hispanic blood pulsing through my veins so will that be a problem? I have to admit that there was a time or two where I actually asked why they would care who is helping them wipe their orifice, as long as it gets wiped. But alas, I do try to accomodate. I figure they can't be that ill if they care who's taking care of them.

When I was a pt, I could care less who took care of me. I was just happy that someone did!

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

It's not a patient "right" to refuse a nurse and/or aide based on the nurse's color, religion, sexuality, whatever. It IS, however, a facility's right to tell a patient that if they feel that way they can hit the road and find somewhere else to seek treatment.

[HM-8404, BSN, RN]

It's not a patient "right" to refuse a nurse and/or aide based on the nurse's color, religion, sexuality, whatever. It IS, however, a facility's right to tell a patient that if they feel that way they can hit the road and find somewhere else to seek treatment.

I may be wrong but I think you are mistaken. I believe a patient has the right to refuse anything they want to.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

"nurses of color..." Hmmm.

I'm a natural strawberry blonde with fair skin who was once told by a charming 'Skinhead' that I am NOT a White woman (capital W on purpose to identify race as opposed to color) because I am Jewish. Huh. Was news to me, and to my family of equally fair-haired, fair-skinned relatives! No, according to the White supremacists, I am actually a whole other race entirely. Aren't I special? LOL.....

Wonder what the answer would be to ME showing up (wearing my Star of David necklace or earrings) to replace the 'colored' nurse?

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

I may be wrong but I think you are mistaken. I believe a patient has the right to refuse anything they want to.

Well, sure, they can refuse whatever they want, true. I guess what I meant was it's not a patient"right" for a facility to comply with such a request and switch assignments around to meet a "no color" demand. All a facility is required to do is provide a competent, licensed nurse. I think any facility 100% has the right to refuse to alter pt assignment based on a pt's racism.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I may be wrong but I think you are mistaken. I believe a patient has the right to refuse anything they want to.

The patient who is cognizant enough to demand caregivers of a certain skin color is, in my humble opinion, feeling well enough to go home.

The deli at my local Wal-Mart is not going to accommodate me if I request that my food preparers come only from a certain racial background. The local biker bars and watering holes are not going to locate a bartender based on my racial preferences (assuming I had any).

Other businesses are not going to bow down to such a request. Why should a healthcare facility be any different?

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Oh Commuter, you know why. Because Press Gainey seems to be all that matters even if it no way relates to the quality of care!

Sad, huh?

[HM-8404, BSN, RN]

Well, sure, they can refuse whatever they want, true. I guess what I meant was it's not a patient"right" for a facility to comply with such a request and switch assignments around to meet a "no color" demand. All a facility is required to do is provide a competent, licensed nurse. I think any facility 100% has the right to refuse to alter pt assignment based on a pt's racism.

I agree totally with that. I agree with accommodate a patient, within reason. As it was said before I would not want myself nor a fellow coworker being subjected to a patient that absolutely does not want a certain care taker. That is just causing problems for the nurse.