"No nurses of color....."

Janit · Jul 1, 2012

"I'm sorry. This facility is in compliance with the Federal and State nondiscrimination laws. We therefore do not offer color, sex, religious, or any other preference with regard to your patient care provider."

wannabe2008 · Jul 1, 2012

I would love to know what hospital is refusing care just because someone is expressing their personal beliefs.

That in it's self is illegal as heck. As long as the patient doesn't act on those beliefs in an illegal way, it is their right to say what they want. It is not illegal to verbalize racist views, in most situations. That is why the KKK and Black Panthers are still around(or variouse versions of them).

Again, I would love to see some actual evidence of a patient being rejected care for being a racist.

wannabe2008 · Jul 1, 2012

The state, federal nondiscrimination laws do not have anything to do with a patient having a preference for a certain color nurse.

CrazierThanYou · Jul 2, 2012

in response to those who brought up the sexual assault aspect -
If someone refuses to have a nurse of the opposite race because they were raped by someone of that ethnicity, and they formerly would've had no problem with it, and the race is more important to them than their gender, I wouldn't place that in the category of preference. I'd put that in the category of phobic, or PTSD and suggest that the person is in need of further counseling, or counseling if she never dealt with the original trauma at all. Skin color isn't the only common physical characteristic someone may share with the perpetrator of the crime.

I agree. Being raped by a black man and that causes one to be afraid of all black men? Nah. Sounds like it would make more sense to be afraid of all men, since all men I've encountered have a member.

mitral · Jul 2, 2012

I have seen the opposite problem! We had an African American woman request an AA nurse. Actually, what she said was "I'm sick of lookin at white people, give me a black nurse!". we just had to tell her sorry, there weren't any working that shift! The nurse assigned to her was very offended by this, but management told her just to forget it since it wasn't an "every-day issue".

allnurses Guide · Jul 2, 2012

The problem comes when making assignments. Sure, there may be a nurse that fits whatever skin color that patient wants. But especially on smaller units, with fewer nurses each shift, there could be a very good reason that nurse NEEDS to be assigned to other patients who will now not get the care they need because some racist idiot wants someone assigned to him based on something other than his nursing needs.

This. The way some people are talking it sounds like they think we have a supply cupboard with a nurse of whatever skin tone, ethnicity or cultural background coming right up! :confused: and no, I don't think we need to change assignments mid-shift should the nurse of the preferred color become available as someone suggested.

The only reason to accomodate the request is for the sake of the AA nurse's comfort level and possible vulnerability to false accusations. If not for that, and you aren't paying 100% out of pocket, you shouldn't have the right to disrupt the unit because of your bigotry.

applewhitern, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2012

I am from the deep south, but I have noticed the opposite problem~ many of our African American patients, esp. the older ones, aren't always comfortable with white nurses. Of course this is only "every now and then," most don't care one way or the other. I have had older AA's simply not talk to me (white, blue-eyed blonde), but I have learned to simply send in one of our AA nursing assistants and they re-assure the patients that all is well. Whatever makes the patient feel safe and secure is fine with me.

carme76 · Jul 2, 2012

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"?
How did the staff find out about this request? HIPAA law.
We are taught patient center care.
I still get the same pay check even if a patient request that they do not want me as their nurse.
My family gets dusted for explosive every time we fly. (including my children)
learn to let it go or it will consume you.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 2, 2012

i would love to know what hospital is refusing care just because someone is expressing their personal beliefs.
that in it's self is illegal as heck. as long as the patient doesn't act on those beliefs in an illegal way, it is their right to say what they want. it is not illegal to verbalize racist views, in most situations. that is why the kkk and black panthers are still around(or variouse versions of them).
again, i would love to see some actual evidence of a patient being rejected care for being a racist.

what refusal of care? it is our obligation to provide you with a nurse who has the skill set to take care of your problem. it is not our obligation to provide a nurse of the race/gender/body habitus/sexual orientation you prefer. if you refuse to have your nasty lady partsl infection looked at by anyone but a white female nurse and it would compromise my other patients to change assignments and get the only white female nurse on staff for you, then you are free to refuse our care and depart our premises in search of a more congenial atmosphere anywhere. but guess what. happy happy hospital down the hill isn't obligated to provide blonde, blue eyed female nurses for you, either.

as for verbalizing your unwholesome beliefs -- that, of course, is your right. it is our right to protect our staff and provide them with a safe working environment. if your verbalization leads us to believe that admitting you to our care would be endangering our staff, then please feel free to check out other, more congenial sources of the care you need.

NO50FRANNY · Jul 2, 2012

I would love to know what hospital is refusing care just because someone is expressing their personal beliefs.
That in it's self is illegal as heck. As long as the patient doesn't act on those beliefs in an illegal way, it is their right to say what they want. It is not illegal to verbalize racist views, in most situations. That is why the KKK and Black Panthers are still around(or variouse versions of them).
Again, I would love to see some actual evidence of a patient being rejected care for being a racist.

Ok, I'll bite.

My hospital does, and it is not illegal, and they do not have the right to say what they want in our department. Certain standards of behaviour are acceptable and others are not. We don't accept it, simple as that- go somewhere else.

Example #1: Pt at triage with ambulance.

"F__k off stupid white b___h", when asked why he has come to hospital today.

Pt removed from premises by security.

Example #2: "Im not having that black b___h look after me".

"Sir, I think it's time for you to leave." Escorted off the premises. Zero tolerance.

Confidentiality laws forbid me from posting a copy of these pt's charts for you but it's all carefully documented.

royhanosn · Jul 2, 2012

love that word, racism! toss about like the word 'absolutely'. Whenever thing else fails, use the word racist! You cannot change people minds who were brought up, with parents hating anyone that is not their colour. Get used to it, it aint gonna change.

The black people I know, we tease the hell out each other. We work together, we play together. I defend them, if needed, they do the same. But in most cases, sir, it aint gonna change, get used to it.

jbluehorseh · Jul 2, 2012

i don’t thinkit is a bad thing, many hospitals demand that nurses to speak english only inpatient care areas. there are some foreign nurses, who command of english is poor, so some patients equivocate that to intelligence, some cultural difference, or some fill it just rude to speak a different language in front ofthem. i have seen filipino nurses givere port in tagalog. i happen to think it is rude and i think we all have been there at one point in our life where the conversation switches from english to another language and how there is a uncomfortable feeling lingers in the room.