Racial discrimination in Nursing....

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Hi everyone..I just wish to know if there is some truth to this..well, some of my friends who are now in U.S.A. have talked to us here in the Philippines about some racial problems. When she arrived at Manhattan, she was given a lot of assignments in her area..which she did not mind at all at first. But, there came a time..that she wanted to question herself on why other american nurses are'nt as busy as her..or she has to forego lunch and dinner just to see to it that she has done her duty well...compared to others..who can really smile around and rub elbows with other nurses. She is one of the best nurses we have here..and she can speak the English language well.

She went to the point of really pouring out herself to a friend she had and was there really a great flood of tears.:scrying:

So..may I ask anyone? ..Who do you think really originated in this land of milk and honey? Aren't most of you now in the U.S. also were once from other nations too/? or maybe trace up your ancestors....I hope all nurses will protect nurses and love nurses..be they be black, white, red, yellow or brown. In this way, we stand up in our profession as One.

Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Sanchai, I have to agree with gwenith, your Filipino co-nurses in the facility I work in are doing your country proud. We just got five Filipino nurses and three have passed the NCLEX and are just awesome. They are a very welcome addition to "my" staff.

Thank you thank you Thank you!!!

You're so nice 3rdshiftguy... :kiss

Discrimination in nursing....hmmmmm...well, go to any ED and count the number of males, Asian, Afro Americans, and Hispanics; the ED IS the hospital...it's the first impression patients (or are they customers?) have of a facility. Discrimination in nursing, does it exist? Absolutely! Is it overt? Absolutely not! Is it subtle, and is it occuring behind a smokescreen of buzz words like: not a team player, language skills put patients at risk, co-workers feel uncomfortable with..., your BLS expired yesterday, so we have to let you go for non-compliance with meeting the minimum requirements for employment...but we have good news, your ACLS, TNCC, ENPC, CEN, CFRN, CCRN, PALS are all current, so you should have no problem...:rolleyes:

Hmmm....What is a QED? :confused:

Wait....Is it quantumelectrodynamics :specs:

Nah..probably not:rotfl:

ANYWHO

costumed-smiley-031.gif

Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

Just stopped by to see what all the drama was about, and came to this conclusion at the end. I wrote this poem at the spur of a moment to post my sentiments towards prejudice in the world...nursing or any other walk of life:

Red and yellow

Black and white

All are precious in Jesus sight

No one is better than another

Mother, father, sister, brother

All come from one Creator

One day we'll know this to be fact

So it's best to join together as one

As for me...my love for mankind is never an act

Yes, I see your outer appearance

My eyes still have a little vision...so I'm able to see

That mankind often tends to judge another

Based on color, race, and past history

Close your eyes, and try to see

Inside the heart of those around you

And your true intentions towards another

Perhaps will take on a different view. :kiss

Why is it when someone makes a comment re: race you get crap? First and far most I am entitled to my opinion. I am not a terrorist I don't join organizations that hate other people who do not look like them. And I sure azz hell don't attend schools that this country is known to name founders of hate mongers. Filipinos get snubbed like every body else that doesn't fit the mix. I honestly don't care what color, race, creed or religion you are I am not going to walk around with rose colored glasses and say everything is one giant beautiful melting pot. In the areas I have worked I had the most pleasureable experience working with filipinos, hispanics, asian, etc I feel each every one of us bring spice to the profession. My generalization of America is what I have observed in this country the hyprocisry of this nation boggles my mind sometimes I just feel America needs to check itself before pointing fingers.

--you are correct...you are entitled to your opinion which has been obviously formed by signifigant circumstances that you have been subject to. i don't think anyone ever accused you of being a terrorist. As far as schools w/ "hate monger" founders - you are right - there are schools whose founders propagated slavery - sadly....however, if you are proposing that there aren't colleges where caucasions are a minority and made to feel like a minority you are very wrong...It isn't rose colored glasses that make us see a melting pot....the US is a melting pot - sometimes it doesn't mix as well as others - that doesn't mean that the majority of those here aren't wonderul, loving, tolerant and non-judgmental individuals.

Well for those who accuses me of being obviously crazy that America is one of the most racist countries in the world I say this for those who never seen my passport WHATEVER! I have travelled abroad and I am not concerned about other countries because when I go somewhere I respect their culture and beliefs regardless of my opinion. But I do live here in America and trust me for the sphincter muscle who told me love it or leave it I don't have to go anywhere I chose not to. I can say whatever I feel. On the flip side America does offer opportunity never said that AmericaI never said this country was the worse place to live in. I resent people here telling me I am ignorant it is not my fault America has an ugly past. Don't make me go there!!!!!!!!!!

-- so you have traveled....American may be one of the most racist countries - but your origional post said it WAS THE MOST racist...that is what got everyone's feathers ruffled. You respect the cultures and beliefs of other countries...do you do that here? i have no racial bias - friends of all colors and all lifestyles...you have in your posts basically pointed a finger at all caucasions and called them racists...i don't see any respect of cultures or beliefs here. America does have an ugly past WHICH IT RECTIFIED....i think that perhaps instead of looking at the past you would be better served to look at the present. Noone said you had to leave America (and i double checked the posts on that one) they said if it is sooo horrible to you then leave...after all you are free to do that. As far as your husband traveling the globe as a "professional ball player" and saying that America has more racism than the places he travels...let me throw this one out...do you think he may be treated differently as a pro ball player than an average joe schmo....probably...I am not saying that racism, sexism, ageism don't exist - they obviously do....what i am saying is that it goes both ways and to think or say it doesn't is ignorant of factual information

--i can't get scholarships like my friends...why...because i am just a caucasion....

--you mentioned the kkk, skinheads...what about the organizations of other races that hate whites/mexicans etc... there are hate groups on both sides of the board honey....

everyone here is entitled to an opinion - however on an educated board such as this...you should be careful HOW you state things.

Well I just finished reading this very long thread. All I am feeling is saddened. The earth is sometimes a very sad place & the behavior/mentality of people at times is frightening. Too bad there is so much viciousness & ignorance among people. This is not just in nursing, not just in a particular ethnic group or sex or whatever but in all people from every country all over the world. Anywhere there is ignorance there is fear & thus prejudice. We must keep in mind this is learned thing- we must teach our children well.

I suppose I could sit & tell stories of bad experiences I have had with all sorts of differing ethnicities & genders but what is the point. Just b/c I may have had some bad experience(s) with a particular group of people does that mean that all people of the ethnic group or gender are the same? Yes, some people are assholes & assholes come in all colors, from all countries & from both sexes. They do not solely exist in nursing but hey we have our fair share. I treat people how they treat me. If they treat me with respect & in a fair & equitable manner fine, great & if they don't then I know where I stand with them for future interactions.

At this point I could care less if the nurse came from Pluto, if he/she is competent, fair, industrious & of a pleasant disposition to staff & patients great send him/her right over. We need all the help we can get.

That was a real long thread and I do understand how one could be pissed off hearing somebody else beside you talking in another language and of course you get a little paranoid thinking they are talking about you..I apologize for my fellow Filipinos. it just happen that there are really some times that we get tired of having a long day speaking in english. lol. :)

I hope i will not stumble on being discriminated..I have been working here for only 3 months and I could say my co-workers accepted me regardless of my race. My preceptor recognized the sacrifices a Filipino has to make, to make it here..leaving the family behind..the weather and the language barrier. I understand her when she added that she gets pissed off that the hospital has to hire foreign nurses and we are actually taking away jobs from citizens here. I was not at all offended bec it is true. But we cannot forget the fact that we are augmenting the shortage. That is another story...

As a Filipino I always keep in mind that in one way or another I am representing my country and I should be professional and flexible. Besides it is me who decided to move here so might as well accept the consequences and when it gets hotter in the kitchen why not leave...

Originally posted by Sekar

So, it is allowable for someone to make a blanket, antagonistic statement like "America is the most racist country in the world" but not OK for someone to voice their opinion that if she doesn't like here she can leave or that when she makes that statement she is spewing garbage? Is it that freedom of speech only applies to certain people and others can keep their opinions to themselves?

Sorry, it doesn't work like that. If she wants to make public statements like that she has every right to do. Those who disagree, even vehemently, with her statement also have the right to voice their opinions. Even if their opinion is inviting her to leave or accusing her of spewing garbage. Neither of which is any more antagonist or overly aggressive than the original statement. None of the posters has violated the rules of this forum, so what is the problem? If you defend the right of one person to voice their opinion they way they want to, then you have to defend the right of others to voice their opinions in the same manner. Regardless of if you like their opinions or not, they too are entitled to voice them.

The bottom line is when Teshiee made her comment, she simply said "in her opinion" she did not personally point the finger at anyone. Everyone has the common sense to know that every singe American isn't racist! The comments made in response to her comment were personally attacking her!.....not just giving an opinion. That is the difference. Whether you have been in any other countries or not your opinion is going to be based on what you see and live. If I am an African Amercian and get pulled over every other week because I'm driving in a neighborhoods where I don't belong or have a car they feel is too expensive, if I get denied a job because my skin isn't the right color; if I grew up when black folks were told you can't eat here or use this bathroom because you are less of a human than anyone else, its not going to make any difference to me if in Cuba they are the most racist SOBs because I'm not living there! In my eyes USA will be the most prejudice place. Does that mean I should pack up my bags and move to Italy because I don't like it and say something about it???? No! Thank goodness people who are being discriminated against have and continue to stay here and fight for their rights and try to make something that will never disappear more tolerable. People will always be discriminated because of race, age, sex, weight, etc. but other countries tend to be more open about their discrimination, they don't hide the fact that they don't accept you or like you. Here its underlying, subtle racism, not the jump right in your face kind. It is very ignorant to say that because a person says that America is racist or the most racist country means that they hate America. We may have family members or friends who we know are racist, so if we say they are racist does that mean we hate them, no we just don't like something about them or what they are doing. I for one would never trade the USA for any other country in the world. But I would be a liar if I were to say that I didn't like so many of the things that go on here including the racism.

Originally posted by TitaniaSidhe

Well I just finished reading this very long thread. All I am feeling is saddened. The earth is sometimes a very sad place & the behavior/mentality of people at times is frightening. Too bad there is so much viciousness & ignorance among people. This is not just in nursing, not just in a particular ethnic group or sex or whatever but in all people from every country all over the world. Anywhere there is ignorance there is fear & thus prejudice. We must keep in mind this is learned thing- we must teach our children well.

I suppose I could sit & tell stories of bad experiences I have had with all sorts of differing ethnicities & genders but what is the point. Just b/c I may have had some bad experience(s) with a particular group of people does that mean that all people of the ethnic group or gender are the same? Yes, some people are assholes & assholes come in all colors, from all countries & from both sexes. They do not solely exist in nursing but hey we have our fair share. I treat people how they treat me. If they treat me with respect & in a fair & equitable manner fine, great & if they don't then I know where I stand with them for future interactions.

At this point I could care less if the nurse came from Pluto, if he/she is competent, fair, industrious & of a pleasant disposition to staff & patients great send him/her right over. We need all the help we can get.

i so agree with you! you have made some wise statements that i think people of all ethnic back grounds would benefit it they thought along these lines!

shame on all of you who claim that you have been discrinimated upon for as the sixth grade saying goes "who ever smelt it delt it!" or if you can for one moment step in to the relms of maturity, "me thinks thou does protest to much!

:devil:

racism is what you make it to be. read the book

"the 4 agreements" by miguel ruiz and you will be able to see clearly. i am speaking to some of the posters on this bb who appear to be somewhat........... well.... prejudice!

Barbie,

I am so sorry about your friend's ordeal. Racism is all over and believe me, when I first moved to NYC I felt it more ( coming from California). The problem with us Filipinos, we just keep taking things in, and we hardly ever complain. We all need to be assertive, and we need to speak up! That's the only advise I can give you and your friend. Hope this helps:)

may this encourage you always.

don't spend major time with minor people.

if there are people in your life that continually disappoint you, break

promises, stomp on your dreams, too judgmental, have

different values and don't have your back during difficult times...that

is not a friend.

remember what your elders used to say, "birds of a feather flock together. if you're an eagle, don't hang around chickens:

chickens can't fly!

to have a friend, be a friend.

sometimes in life as you grow, your friends will

either grow or go. surround

yourself with people who reflect values, goals

interests and lifestyle. over

the years my phone book has changed because i

changed for the better. at

first you think you're going to be alone, but after

a while new people show

up in your life that make your life so much sweeter

and easier to endure.

when i think of any of my successes, i am thankful

to god from whom all

blessings flow, and to my family and friends that

enrich my life. i love the

lord and thank him for all that he does in my life,

therefore, i'm passing

this on. yes i do love jesus. he is my source of

existence and savior. he

keeps me functioning each and everyday.

without him, i will be nothing. without him, i am

nothing but with him i can

do all things. phil 4:13

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